“It s*cks to be him”: Kyle Harrison’s Milwaukee Brewers future takes a tough turn as fans react to his struggles

Kyle Harrison’s October hopes are getting harder to defend after another difficult outing left the Milwaukee Brewers with more questions than answers. The 25-year-old left-hander was pulled in the second inning of Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, continuing a rough stretch that has changed his postseason outlook. Kyle Harrison once looked like an important piece of Milwaukee’s pitching plans, but his recent numbers have made that role uncertain. With only nine regular-season games remaining, every appearance now carries extra weight. Brewers manager Pat Murphy has not closed the door on Kyle Harrison, but the lefty has little time left to show that he can still help the team in October.Kyle Harrison’s recent slide has changed the conversation around his October roleThe reaction from Milwaukee Brewers fans showed how quickly the mood has changed around Kyle Harrison. Some supporters appeared sympathetic to his situation, while others were much more direct about his chances of reaching the postseason roster.“It sucks to be him, but damn.”Another fan kept the reaction short, writing, “Well…that’s a bummer.”The frustration became stronger in other responses. One fan wrote, “This guy won’t sniff the playoff roster… Back to the lab you go” Another added, “Bad time of year to be a total liability.”Other comments went beyond criticism of Kyle Harrison’s performance and included personal and offensive attacks. Those reactions highlighted just how frustrated some fans have become after watching his recent decline.The frustration is tied to how sharply Kyle Harrison’s season has changed. He finished May with a 1.57 ERA, putting himself in the conversation as one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ promising pitching pieces. Kyle Harrison also had a 1.93 ERA through the end of June when his eight-run outing against the Oakland Athletics in Las Vegas was removed from the calculation.Then came the injury and the decline.Kyle Harrison spent much of July on the injured list because of a left forearm injury. After returning, his fastball did not have the same effectiveness. His struggles became increasingly difficult to overlook in August and September.Over his last four outings, Kyle Harrison has allowed 21 earned runs in nine innings for a 21.00 ERA.Against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kyle Harrison recorded only five outs. A two-out walk to Ronny Simon in the second inning began a sequence in which seven consecutive Pirates hitters reached safely.Fans are running out of patience as Kyle Harrison searches for answersThe numbers make the difference between Kyle Harrison’s two halves particularly striking. From March through June, he posted a 2.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and .213 opponent batting average. From July through September, those figures climbed to a 7.90 ERA, 2.01 WHIP and .344 opponent batting average.The concern is not only about results. The Milwaukee Brewers are also trying to identify what has changed physically.Kyle Harrison’s average four-seam fastball against Pittsburgh was 95.3 mph, slightly above his season average. However, its vertical movement remained below his normal level.“The heater hasn’t been as ‘poppy,’” Kyle Harrison said. “I’m feeling good, but I need to dial that thing in.”Pat Murphy has acknowledged the challenge facing the young left-hander.“His delivery has to be impeccable, and his mental state has to be improving, because when you go through a stretch like this, it’s very tough to get yourself together,” Pat Murphy said.Kyle Harrison, however, has refused to give up.“I’m not going to give in, not going to give up,” Kyle Harrison said. “I’m going to keep working and fighting.”Pat Murphy has confirmed that Kyle Harrison will pitch again during the Milwaukee Brewers’ final nine regular-season games, although his role remains undecided.That gives Kyle Harrison another opportunity to change the conversation. For now, the fan reactions show the pressure surrounding the left-hander as the Milwaukee Brewers move closer to October.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.