Mookie Betts hit a bouncing ball up the middle. Brice Turang ranged to the shortstop side of second base, fielded the ball smoothly with a backhand, and threw across his body for the out. Betts was the first batter in the NLCS, and Turang’s play set the tone from the start. For Brewer fans, Turang making that play is common. For the national viewing audience? Not so much.
In the fourth inning, Turang swatted a solo homer the opposite way to knot Game 1 at 1. Several factors contributed to the Brew Crew’s four-game sweep of the two-time defending champions. Turang set the tone from the opening out of the NLCS, but that’s being overlooked now; it sparked confidence for a Brewers team that LA swept in the same spot last year.
Turang a Two-Way Star
Despite going just 6-for-27 at the plate in the postseason, Turang has walked seven times for a .382 on-base percentage. His all-around game is starting to gain national recognition, and he’s putting it on display in the MLB postseason.
After a 2-for-16 NLDS without a run scored or RBI, Turang bounced back against LA. In the NLCS, Turang went 4-for-11 with seven runs scored and two RBI, highlighted by a 2-for-3, three runs scored and an RBI in Game 2.
Not many Brewers get much national love. But Turang is starting to earn respect across MLB with a strong 2026, after playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Brice Turang put together a strong 2025 season, but the 2024 Platinum Glove winner at 2B took an even bigger leap in 2026. While Turang has earned respect with the glove, his bat is starting to make noise, too.
Turang produced one of the best all-around seasons in Milwaukee Brewers history, as measured by WAR. He’s arguably the top 2B in the game, and he showed it with the glove and bat this year. He’ll likely win a Gold Glove at second base again, and may also add a Silver Slugger.
Turang Has a Career Year Offensively
We will get to his stellar glovework this season, but Turang took a big step with the lumber. Pretty much every stat was a career high for Turang.
Turang has steadily improved at the plate and is now one of baseball’s premier two-way players. Turang hit .268 with 21 homers, 37 doubles, 100 RBI, 102 runs scored, and an .816 OPS, becoming just the eighth Brewer ever to hit 100 runs and drive in 100 runs in the same season. He added 19 stolen bases and had a 124 OPS+ and 127 wRC+.
Other than a frigid August, Turang was steady with the bat but went into the postseason with a sizzling September. To reach his 100-run, 100-RBI milestones, Turang hit .361 (30-for-83) in September, driving in 22 runs and scoring 21. He had a 1.078 OPS and slugged over .600 for the month with eight doubles and four homers. He also reached 100 RBI thanks to clutch hitting all year, to the tune of a .331 average with a .976 OPS with runners in scoring position.
Turang also terrorized right-hand pitching this year, hitting .291 with 18 homers and an OPS over .900. With the World Series matchup set against the Tampa Bay Rays, Turang could be an MVP candidate, as all of the Rays’ projected starters are righties. After a strong September and NLCS, Turang could be primed for a big World Series.
Brewers’ Turang a Defensive Wizard
Since coming into the league in 2023, Turang has dazzled with the leather. He won a Platinum Glove in 2024, and while his defense took a step back by his standards last year, the second baseman has been stellar in 2026. With his two-way prowess, Turang compiled a 7.3 WAR according to Baseball Reference, which is one of the best all-around seasons in Brewer history.
Turang had an eye-popping 23 defensive runs saved and a league-leading 15 total fielding runs above average. While his offense has certainly reached career highs in nearly every major offensive category, Turang’s defense remains his calling card.
Turang Can Stamp a Career Year
While Turang’s stellar two-way play may surprise viewers in the MLB Postseason, Brewer fans are accustomed to it. He is putting his diverse skill set on display with a homer, speed, range defensively, and plate discipline. Turang is finally getting the national recognition he deserves as baseball’s best second baseman.
Now, Turang has a chance to put an exclamation point on a superb season. He has become one of the top two-way players not just among middle infielders, but in all of MLB. With the Rays’ starting rotation all right-handed, Turang could be lined up to put the cherry on top and potentially culminate it with a Brewers World Series.
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