Wily Peralta continues to prove he and Brewers are no fluke in 2-0 win over Reds

Wily Peralta did it all against the Reds on Friday, driving in the only two runs of the game. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) Who will be the big breakout pitcher of

Wily Peralta did it all against the Reds on Friday, driving in the only two runs of the game. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Who will be the big breakout pitcher of 2014? An early frontrunner: Wily Peralta, the Brewers’ 24-year-old righthander who looks like he’s ready to bloom into one of the best pitchers in the National League.

Peralta tossed eight dominant innings in a 2-0 win against the Reds in Cincinnati on Friday night, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out a season-high seven over eight innings. Not only did he notch his fifth straight quality start of the year, Peralta also doubled home the only two runs of the game.

Peralta’s excellent start to the season — he’s 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA and has 32 strikeouts over 31 innings — is no fluke. He has always possessed electric stuff. In 2013, his average fastball velocity (94.8) trailed only Matt Harvey, Stephen Strasburg, and Jose Fernandez. Unfortunately, he's also been a maddeningly inconsistent starter in the Brewers rotation — dominant one start, a mess the next. Late last season, though, there were signs he was beginning to put it all together as he began flashing a power slider — from June on, he posted a 3.48 ERA.

Milwaukee's bullpen has been a big part of its early success as well. Francisco Rodriguez relieved Peralta on Friday and dominated the Reds in the ninth with his devastating changeup to pick up his 14th save and extend his scoreless streak to 14 innings.

However, the biggest reason for the Brewers' fast start has been the starters atop an underrated rotation that leads the majors with 24 quality starts. After a rocky 2013, Yovani Gallardo (2-0, 1.91 ERA) is pitcing like an ace again, Kyle Lohse (4-1, 2.70) is off to a strong start, and Peralta, with his 95 mph fastball and power slider, looks like the real deal.

Cardinals

Ryan Braun