Pittsburgh Pirates: Josh Bell Struggling vs Milwaukee & Other Takeaways From Series Loss

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 29: Jordan Lyles #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on after giving up the solo home run in the fourth inning Eric Thames #7 of the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 29: Jordan Lyles #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on after giving up the solo home run in the fourth inning Eric Thames #7 of the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 29: Yasmani Grandal #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers tags out Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at home plate in the first inning at Miller Park on June 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 29: Yasmani Grandal #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers tags out Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at home plate in the first inning at Miller Park on June 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Josh Bell can’t solve Brewer pitching

It goes without saying that Josh Bell is having a fantastic season for the Pirates. After all, on Sunday he was named a National League All-Star for the first time in his career. He will also participate in the Home Run Derby for the first time.

On the season Bell is slashing .301/.376/.625 with a 152 wRC+. He has hit 22 home runs, and his 29 doubles, 55 extra base hits, and 70 RBI all lead the NL. Despite the terrific season is having, he has struggled mightily against the Brewers this season.

Bell was 0-for-10 with a pair of walks over the weekend. In 10 games against the Brewers this season Bell is 4-for-39 with four walks, two doubles, zero home runs, and just 3 RBI.

A major reason the Pirates are a paltry 2-10 against the Brewers, and 37-33 against the rest of baseball, this season is due to the Milwaukee pitching staff effectively shutting down Bell at the plate. This is something no other team has accomplished so far this season.

If the Pirates are going to improve their record against the Brewers this season then Bell must start hitting against Milwaukee the way he does everyone else. The ball is now the court of Bell and hitting coaches Rick Eckstein and Jacob Cruz to find what the Brewers have been doing to be so successful against him and adjust.