Kirk Nieuwenhuis

Kirk Nieuwenhuis homers, doubles in Brewers' loss

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis collected a three-run homer and a double in Thursday's loss to the Chicago Cubs.

What It Means:

Considering it was against the Cubs, this performance was par for the course. Nieuwenhuis is batting .353 versus the NL Central leaders this season, with five of his 11 home runs also coming against the club. Since the Brewers don't have anything to play for over the rest of the year (they're 52-68), Nieuwenhuis is likely to receive less playing time moving forward, with the Brewers seeing what they have in center fielder Keon Broxton. However, with seven more games against the Cubs this year, the Brewers may chose to play Nieuwenhuis in these contests.

Nieuwenhuis is now slashing just .214/.325/.404 in 326 plate appearances this season, but his .320 wOBA is above the current league average (.318). We project him to hit three more taters and post a .694 OPS over the rest of the year.