Statistics from the US Department of Transportation show more than 700,000 registered motor carriers are traversing our highways and roads. These trucks, which can be packed with everything from bricks and stone to dog food and grocery items, keep thousands of American businesses afloat. For business owners shipping these products across the country, precise planning and high-level tracking are required. But with increasing rates and a wide range of delays to overcome, overseeing a shipment of LTL freight is easier said than done.
For overworked business owners, managing multiple shipments can seem impossible in today's freight landscape. But the reality is that many businesses rely on less-than-truckload shipments to keep their doors open. When these shipments are compromised, their business is too. But there's a viable solution: LTL freight brokers in Milwaukee, WI like RelyEx provide reliable solutions to common LTL shipment problems, eliminating the stress and worry of LTL shipping.
With more than 30 combined years of LTL experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx is your go-to choice for streamlined, efficient LTL shipping services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's less-than-truckload shipping options, it helps to understand first what LTL shipping is and why it's used.
In the freight industry, LTL stands for "less-than-truckload." It is a widely-used method of transportation for smaller shipments that don't require the space of a full truckload. In an LTL shipment, several customers' loads are placed onto one truck, which helps reduce how much it costs to ship those products.
In fact, if your freight doesn't fill an entire trailer but weighs 150-15,000 lbs., LTL freight shipping in Milwaukee, WI, may be the most efficient, cost-conscious way to transport your products. That's because, in an LTL setup, you're only paying for the space your freight takes up. LTL shipping companies like RelyEx optimize LTL loads by choosing the most efficient routes at the best rates so your cargo gets to where it needs to go without any issues.
Business owners often choose LTL freight services in the following circumstances:
When it comes to LTL delivery options, there are a lot to choose from. But not every LTL broker is created equally. Some LTL companies do not have the tools or technology to track your shipments and optimize your routes. In worst-case scenarios, they may not be insured or reliable. If you're looking for an experienced LTL carrier that exceeds expectations with time-tested strategies and innovative technologies, look no further than RelyEx.
With more than two decades of experience in LTL operations, our team utilizes the power of GlobalTranz to compare rates across hundreds of approved carriers in the blink of an eye, while also providing the most cost-effective options for moving your freight. When you choose RelyEx for LTL shipping, you can leverage our expert team to handle your shipments. You can also manage the process yourself via GTZShip, which is Globaltranz's user-friendly management system. With GTZShip, you can access and compare LTL shipping rates, track your shipments, and manage your financials, all from one intuitive platform.
When it comes to LTL freight in Milwaukee, WI, clients trust their products with RelyEx for many reasons, including the following:
Because GTZShip keeps outsized freight available, it can negotiate the best LTL rates on your behalf. Our clients can access these extra-low rates in one of two ways:
Regardless of the option you choose, RelyEx's knowledgeable customer care reps will cover all of your LTL shipping options, so you can make an informed shipping and purchasing decision for your freight.
Yes, you read that right - in addition to giving you access to industry-leading rates, RelyEx's partnership with GTZShip gives you full management of your freight. We're talking about access to reporting, tracking, and much more. This extensive visibility is essentially a one-stop shop for everything related to the status of your freight.
Unlike some LTL shipping software, this system requires no contracts or signup fees, making it simple to provide quotes and book immediately when you're ready. Whether you use GTZShip directly or rely on our team to book your freight, your company will always have access to this free technology.
While it's true that RelyEx provides customers with the best rates and technology in the LTL industry, we go above and beyond the normal call of duty. Why? Because we strive to treat your shipment as if it's our most important one. Put simply, we put a lot of time and effort into making sure we do things right the first time around. Our fierce commitment to the customer and to quality protects not only your reputation, but your bottom line by preventing lost customers and sales.
RelyEx excels at LTL shipping because we are:
From dedicated LTL solutions to transactional relationships, RelyEx is here to help. Unlike other LTL companies, we get the job done right with customer-focused service, industry expertise, and Globaltranz's industry-leading Transportation Management System.
Our dedicated team of LTL specialists provides you with the best freight visibility available, whether you need a few shipments a week or you need hundreds. In order to do so, we communicate with carriers throughout the entire shipping process, so you know your items are delivered on time. Though rare, if we spot an issue, we'll provide you with an alternative solution immediately.
Plus, if you have large quantities that need to be shipped, our team is happy to provide you with customized reporting for free. That way, you can access at-the-moment updates and important shipment documentation with a few clicks or taps.
When your freight is too light for full truckloads but too heavy for basic parcel carriers like UPS, LTL shipping is a great option to consider. When you use an LTL shipping company like RelyEx, you get even more value. We've been over some of the basics associated with LTL freight shipping - now let's touch on some of the biggest benefits of using a company to handle logistics from start to finish.
One of the most common reasons clients use LTL services is because they're able to save money. LTL shipping is much less expensive than the alternative, which is to hire a private driver and truck. When you go in on LTL services with other shippers, you can have your products delivered at a fraction of the cost of going private. In this setup, you pay for space you use, not the space you don't use, which is common in full truckload freight shipping.
As an added benefit, relying on an LTL freight company like RelyEx can lower your warehouse costs since more shipments can be sent at a time. That means you don't have to wait weeks or even months for a trailer to fill up.
When you use a parcel carrier like FedEx, you can only ship up to 150 pounds at a time. That means you'd have to break down your shipment into separate boxes in order to ship. With LTL freight shipping, your packages can be palletized and shrink-wrapped so they're shipped in a single load.
At RelyEx, our team knows how important your shipment is, whether you're sending thousands of pounds of products or a single pallet. That's why we ensure your products are packaged correctly and have security protocols baked into every service we offer. Plus, by keeping your freight together, we decrease the chance of damaging your cargo, which pleases your clients and boosts your customers' satisfaction.
The magic of LTL shipping lies in the fact that we fill fewer trailers with more freight. Doing so reduces global emissions and makes the process much quicker. Imagine using a semi-truck to haul products that only fill a quarter of the trailer. It would waste money, time, and space that could be used for other products. With LTL shipping, you're protecting the environment and reducing the number of partially-filled trucks on the road. This, in turn, saves you money and makes you an eco-friendly company - something you can use as a selling point for your business.
LTL providers like RelyEx use advanced logistics technology to ensure your cargo arrives on time and without damage. By investing in technology like GlobalTranz, we save our clients from doing so themselves. With GlobalTranz, our clients gain access to robust tracking options like real-time freight locations, so you can monitor your shipment's progress. With GlobalTranz, you get more than just a way to book your LTL cargo â you benefit from our qualified network of carriers, expert logistics support, and leading technology features.
It's impossible to say exactly how much your LTL shipping may cost because the NMFC, or National Motor Freight Classification, determines those prices. Using this standard, pricing is dictated for commodities moving in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. Items are grouped into 18 different classes, based on four characteristics:
If you're shipping a product that is more likely to be damaged, stolen, or cause damage to other items, it may affect LTL shipment pricing.
Does your product require specific care or handling instructions? If so, you can probably expect higher prices.
This factor accounts for how much space your item occupies in relation to its weight or the weight per cubic foot for each piece of freight you are shipping.
How easy is it to load and transport your commodity? Can it be loaded and transported with other items?
When combined, these characteristics are used to establish an NMFC code for your LTL cargo. These codes are crucial, as they help your LTL carrier understand the challenges of shipping your products. If the item you need to ship has a high NMFC code, it's because it's more difficult to transport, which usually means it's more expensive to ship.
Depending on where and how often you ship LTL freight, your broker may choose a regional or national LTL carrier. Regional carriers often service a group of states within a region. National carriers have a larger footprint and can often eliminate the need to use several carriers for your shipments. RelyEx has the infrastructure and strategies for all of your LTL shipping - contact our office today to learn more about your options.
Though regional and national carriers are different, they often use similar models for shipping. Two of the most popular types of shipping methods include hub and spoke distribution and LTL consolidation.
In this traditional model, your shipments go through a network of warehouses, terminals, and hub facilities where your products are grouped with other shipments. Your freight then travels to local "spokes" (or terminals), where they are delivered. If you need to ship freight over short distances, this model may be a good choice to consider.
Some common benefits of the hub and spoke model include:
LTL consolidated shipping is a model where LTL carriers bring several shipments from different shippers to a final destination. Instead of using hubs and spokes along the shipping route to bundle freight and move cargo, LTL consolidation works by taking multiple shipments and turning them into a single truckload. This truck then makes multiple stops, where your products are delivered.
Some of the most common benefits of LTL consolidation include:
At RelyEx, our goal is to expertly manage the movement of your freight so you can focus on your core business. With more than 20 years of combined experience with LTL freight shipping in Milwaukee, WI, our team can select the most efficient and cost-effective model for your needs. That way, you can accomplish your day-to-day tasks while we handle the heavy lifting and any logistical challenges.
At RelyEx, we believe that trustworthy, comprehensive, and streamlined LTL shipping options are better for your business. And for us, what's better for your business is better for ours. That's why, when it comes to LTL shipping, we work tirelessly to ensure every aspect of your freight experience is embedded excellence. We take this unique approach because our management were once customers like you. They were people who, for one reason or another, had to deal with frustrating and often unsolved shipping and logistics challenges. Today, we take pride in solving those challenges and only partner with carriers who match our high standards.
If you're looking for an LTL company in Milwaukee, WI that prioritizes customer service, strong communication, and proactive thinking, we're here to help you avoid delayed shipments and missed expectations.
LOS ANGELES -- Despite winning a franchise-record 111 games in 2022, the Dodgers came into this season with some question marks. Most wondered if this would be the year they finally loosened the tight grip they’ve had over the National League West for most of the last decade.Fast forward four-and-a-half months into the ‘23 season and nothing has changed. The Dodgers are still a machine during the regular season and, once again, one of the best teams in the Majors. All they do during the summer is win baseball games....
LOS ANGELES -- Despite winning a franchise-record 111 games in 2022, the Dodgers came into this season with some question marks. Most wondered if this would be the year they finally loosened the tight grip they’ve had over the National League West for most of the last decade.
Fast forward four-and-a-half months into the ‘23 season and nothing has changed. The Dodgers are still a machine during the regular season and, once again, one of the best teams in the Majors. All they do during the summer is win baseball games.
With a 7-1 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers did what they do best and have now won a season-high 10 consecutive games. They also improved to 14-1 since the start of August.
“Just great baseball,” said Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. “Defensively, guys are making plays all over the field. Offensively, a lot of hits with runners in scoring position. And then pitching-wise, I think everybody has stepped up in the rotation. … And you can’t discredit what the bullpen is doing. They’ve been unbelievable. It’s been awesome.”
During the current streak, the Dodgers have won in a multitude of ways. The starting pitching and bullpen have been terrific, a constant throughout the streak. That continued on Wednesday, as Kershaw made his second start since coming back from the injured list with a left shoulder injury, allowing just one run and striking out two over five innings of work.
“Well, I thought the last one was better than this one,” Kershaw said. “There were some good throws in there, but overall, it wasn’t pretty. Really, there’s not a lot to build on. Just pitch better next time and hopefully, go a little deeper and maybe get some ground balls and strikeouts and not so many lineouts.”
Kershaw only threw 71 pitches before L.A. turned to the bullpen. Finding ways to limit Kershaw’s workload is something the Dodgers will continue to do for the rest of the regular season. The club’s goal is to get the likely first-ballot Hall of Famer into October feeling healthy. It’s a luxury they can afford given their 10-game lead over the second-place Giants atop the NL West.
“I think to get him out of the game right there, maybe wanting for more and being able to go maybe another inning,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought, given where we were at, it was the right decision and I feel good about him getting an extra day to make the next start in Cleveland. And [we’ll] go from there.”
At the plate, the Dodgers have also shown they can win a game by any means necessary. On Tuesday, it was the bottom of the order and the bench that took care of business. On Wednesday, it was the star power that wore down Milwaukee.
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Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with a walk, scoring every time he reached base -- in large part because of what Freddie Freeman was able to do right behind him. That’s been a theme all season long for the Dodgers.
“You really need a couple guys atop the lineup to get teams rolling,” Betts said. “If it’s not me, it’s Freddie. If it’s not Freddie, it’s me. Sometimes, it’s both of us. I think we both take ownership of getting us going.”
Freeman, who had gone hitless in three consecutive games -- which feels like an eternity given the extraordinary season he’s having offensively -- went 2-for-5 with a single and a double, which extended his Major League lead to 44 two-baggers. Freeman set a career high with 47 doubles last season. At this pace, he could have a new career high by the end of the weekend.
Aside from Freeman and Betts, the Dodgers also got contributions from Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, both of whom hit solo homers. It continues to be a team effort for the Dodgers, who’ve outscored opponents, 61-22, during the 10-game streak.
And they’re not showing any real signs of slowing down any time soon.
“They match up well against anybody,” said Brewers starter Wade Miley. “That’s a really good team over there. They’re getting healthy on the pitching side again. You have to play clean baseball to beat a team like that, and we just haven’t the last couple of days.”
Milwaukee Brewers (65-56, first in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-46, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Thursday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (9-6, 3.60 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 146 strike...
Milwaukee Brewers (65-56, first in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-46, first in the NL West)
Los Angeles; Thursday, 10:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (9-6, 3.60 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 146 strikeouts); Dodgers: Lance Lynn (9-9, 5.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 166 strikeouts)
: Dodgers -144, Brewers +122; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to keep their nine-game home win streak alive when they take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Los Angeles has a 40-20 record in home games and a 73-46 record overall. The Dodgers have the seventh-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.26.
Milwaukee has a 32-29 record in road games and a 65-56 record overall. The Brewers have a 41-18 record in games when they record eight or more hits.
Thursday's game is the sixth meeting between these teams this season. The Dodgers hold a 4-1 advantage in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Freddie Freeman has 45 doubles, two triples, 23 home runs and 84 RBI for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts is 16-for-41 with four doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI over the last 10 games.
Christian Yelich leads the Brewers with a .287 batting average, and has 27 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, 59 walks and 67 RBI. William Contreras is 10-for-40 with a home run and seven RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 10-0, .296 batting average, 2.10 ERA, outscored opponents by 39 runs
Brewers: 6-4, .219 batting average, 3.72 ERA, outscored opponents by two runs
INJURIES: Dodgers: Jake Marisnick: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Joe Kelly: 15-Day IL (forearm), Yency Almonte: 15-Day IL (knee), Michael Grove: 15-Day IL (lat), Jonny Deluca: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (neck), Daniel Hudson: 60-Day IL (knee), Tyler Cyr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Dustin May: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jimmy Nelson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Reyes: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Gavin Lux: 60-Day IL (knee), Walker Buehler: 60-Day IL (elbow), Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (shoulder), J.P. Feyereisen: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Brewers: Jean Carlos Mejia: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Blake Perkins: 10-Day IL (oblique), Justin Wilson: 60-Day IL (lat), Julio Teheran: 15-Day IL (hip), Jesse Winker: 10-Day IL (back), Rowdy Tellez: 10-Day IL (forearm), Darin Ruf: 60-Day IL (knee), Eric Lauer: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Garrett Mitchell: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Aaron Ashby: 60-Day IL (labrum)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
LOS ANGELES — After every at-bat that Christian Yelich takes, he’ll find time in the dugout to have a conversation with Brewers hitting coach Connor Dawson.Sometimes, the conversation is drawn out. They’ll analyze everything. Sometimes, it’s far more simple. “Good ...
LOS ANGELES — After every at-bat that Christian Yelich takes, he’ll find time in the dugout to have a conversation with Brewers hitting coach Connor Dawson.
Sometimes, the conversation is drawn out. They’ll analyze everything. Sometimes, it’s far more simple. “Good swing” or “Bad swing.” No need to dwell on what happened, but important to at least acknowledge it.
Yelich was, for two years, one of the game’s great young superstars. He won the MVP award in 2018, then had an even better season the year after. He signed a nine year, $215 million contract extension with Milwaukee. Life in this sport was good.
The conversations after every at-bat? They’re all in the name of getting back to being that player. For the last three seasons, Yelich’s offense was just about league average. His name carried cachet. His stats did not.
Yelich might not be a superstar player right now. He might never be one again. But the 2023 season has been nothing short of a resurgence. His OPS is .838 — a full 100 points better than 2022. He’s collected 16 homers and 27 doubles. Those totals eclipse each of the last two full seasons.
“You can still be a good player,” Yelich told The Athletic. “Obviously everyone’s always going to compare your best career seasons. You can do that with any player. You can take any guy’s best season.”
Just because they might not live up to that best season every year, Yelich said, doesn’t mean they can’t contribute.
“I know that you’re going to be compared to those seasons sometimes, but I think I’m pretty capable of having productive years,” he said. “Which I’ve done this year and continue to do.”
Christian Yelich is mashing fastballs, which has fueled his resurgence. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
His 2023 numbers aren’t gaudy. They don’t make him one of the game’s most feared hitters.
But his story is one of mental and physical perseverance, rationalizing and understanding the root of his struggles, and making regular adjustments at the plate. Now he’s playing a critical role on the first-place Brewers as an everyday leadoff hitter. He’s also an example to an otherwise young core of players of how to get through the lowest lows.
“He carried a lot. He took it really personally,” said Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy. “It hurt him very badly. More than it probably would the normal guy. He felt an awesome sense of responsibility.
“But like true warriors, true champions, he came through it.”
There’s a mix of factors that got Yelich back to this point. Health is a critical component. He dealt with lingering back issues in years past. Mechanical changes are part of his story, as well. Dawson said the adjustments he worked on last year were scattered. This year, there’s more purpose behind them.
In May, he altered his leg kick to become more of a toe tap. He’s got an .892 OPS since the start of that month, compared to .656 in April.
Christian Yelich celebrates a walk-off RBI with Jesse Winker. (Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
Then there’s the mental adjustment. The understanding, that, after three years, he doesn’t have to chase his MVP season. He looks at tape from those years regularly with hitting coaches. They’re looking for clues of what worked then. But there’s a difference between doing that and playing in the hopes that he’ll be that guy again.
It’s also impossible to ignore the timing of his extension aligning with his decline. It’s a massive responsibility. One he clearly took seriously, possibly to his own detriment.
“When you sign a contract, you feel it. That’s just the facts,” said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. “You want that player that you (had) sign that contract to feel it. That’s what you want. That’s why you sign that guy.”
Yelich’s teammate, third baseman Brian Anderson, got an up close look in Miami. It was the final month for Yelch with the Marlins, and the first month for Anderson in the majors.
He got to see Yelich before he blossomed into his MVP form the following season in Milwaukee. He said everyone in the Marlins organization viewed him as a budding superstar. They saw he was coming into his power.
They became teammates again in 2023 — years after he became that star. And, now, after he lost it. He’s seen Yelich as he established himself. Now, again as he’s re-establishing himself.
“Baseball is such a game of ups and downs,” Anderson said. “And I think for him, what I’ve seen is his ability to stay consistent with his work and his routines. He’s always making adjustments with his swing, but he’s still the same great player that he’s always been.”
There are many clichéd baseball words. Any form of “consistent” is probably the most cliché of them all. And certainly, Yelich’s performance over the years has not been consistent. But it’s clear that his approach to handling his day-to-day responsibilities has remained steady.
He almost never takes a day off. He’s doing the same work. And keeping the same outward attitude, even if internally he’s felt the weight of this years-long slump.
“If you try and chase years prior, it doesn’t really work that way,” Yelich said. “You kind of just have to start everything new. When you’ve played a lot of games and taken a lot of at-bats — you never have it figured out, by any means, in baseball. But you definitely had good times, had bad times. You learn from it.”
Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis hadn’t finished saying “And off we go” on Tuesday night before the first pitch of the game was being lined into center field off of Yelich’s bat. It came on a 99.4 mph Bobby Miller fastball. Catching up to those pitches in a meaningful way has been a huge boon this season. Yelich hit .241 against fastballs in 2020, .271 in 2021, and .290 last year. For most hitters, heaters present the best chance for results.
Christian Yelich’s resurgence
Season | Avg. against FB | OPS+ |
---|---|---|
2013 | 0.331 | 112 |
2014 | 0.336 | 115 |
2015 | 0.346 | 118 |
2016 | 0.339 | 135 |
2017 | 0.340 | 120 |
2018 | 0.354 | 164 |
2019 | 0.346 | 179 |
2020 | 0.241 | 110 |
2021 | 0.271 | 101 |
2022 | 0.290 | 110 |
2023 | 0.337 | 129 |
This year, Yelich is hitting a .337 against fastballs. He’s got 12 homers against the pitch. He had 15 total the last three years combined. Eliminating the leg kick helped with timing and balance. This is the result.
At just 31, there’s still time to fully recapture those elite seasons and repeat them. Dawson, his hitting coach, said confidently that he believes it’s possible. But that won’t be what drives Yelich. Or how the Brewers coach him. He might not be a superstar, or even an All-Star. But he’s doing what this team needs of him right now.
“I just wasn’t doing things that I needed to, to be as successful as I wanted,” Yelich said. “I wasn’t awful by any means, but I wasn’t as good as I knew I could be. The more years you play, you have to tinker and find ways to be successful. There’s not always one way to go about it.”
(Top photo of Christian Yelich: Rich Schultz / Getty Images)
New "Top Chef" host and Season 10 winner Kristen Kish and judge Gail Simmons hit up a Milwaukee icon this week and tried one of Cream City's delicacies. They also dined at a Laotian and Thai noodle shop that our dining critic recently raved about.The competition-based cooking show ...
New "Top Chef" host and Season 10 winner Kristen Kish and judge Gail Simmons hit up a Milwaukee icon this week and tried one of Cream City's delicacies. They also dined at a Laotian and Thai noodle shop that our dining critic recently raved about.
The competition-based cooking show is filming its 21st season in Milwaukee and Madison this year. It plans to air in early 2024 on Bravo and the Peacock streaming service.
Now back to that delicacy. If you guessed custard, you'd be right.
Kish and Simmons took a trip to Leon's Frozen Custard, 3131 S. 27th Street, Milwaukee's second oldest custard shop.
"OK Milwaukee, I get it now," Simmons said in an Instagram post. "First, of what I hope to be many life-changing frozen custards, with @kcastillolkish. It’s a real thing."
From pictures the two shared on Insta, it looks like Simmons ordered a cone with chocolate and vanilla custards, and Kish opted for a vanilla cone.
Leon's daily flavors are vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan and a flavor of the day, which is either strawberry, raspberry, mint, maple nut, cinnamon or blue moon. The shop also has a full-service soda fountain, limited sandwich menu, sundaes, floats, malts and shakes.
Leon Schneider opened Leon's in 1942, and the Schneider family has run it ever since.
Also this week, Kish and Simmons shared their visit to Vientiane Noodle Shop, 3422 W. National Avenue, on Instagram.
Kish's thoughts? "So good."
She wrote that over a bird's-eye view of a table of entrees posted to her Story. We think we spot some pad Thai, fried chicken wings and soups, possibly the Khao Poun and Tom Yum Goong.
Simmons re-shared the photo and said: "Milwaukee is spicier than anticipated and I like it."
According to Journal Sentinel dining critic Rachel Bernhard, Vientiane has "some of the best pho in the city," including classic beef, seafood, duck, oxtail and chicken all swimming in a steamy, earthy broth. She also recommended their Laotian larb salad, any of their "stellar" pan-fried noodle dishes, and mango sticky rice.
If you have suggestions on where you think the "Top Chef" crew should be eating, they're looking for recs.
On Sunday, Milwaukee shoppers and social media users at Whole Foods on Prospect Avenue spotted what appeared to be "Top Chef" crews filming in the grocery store.
One Twitter/X user posted a screenshot from the Instagram account @noshmke showing crew members filming with the caption, "'Top Chef' was filming at the MKE Whole Foods today. After being a fan of the show for so many years, this was beyond cool to see in person."
TMJ4 News also posted photos of "Top Chef" crew members filming at the store.
Claire Reid of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
LOS ANGELES – Nearly five years after Wade Miley’s famed one-batter appearance at Dodger Stadium in the 2018 National League Championship Series, the left-hander stepped onto the mound in Los Angeles once again.There was no Brandon Woodruff warming up in the bullpen to take over after the first hitter...
LOS ANGELES – Nearly five years after Wade Miley’s famed one-batter appearance at Dodger Stadium in the 2018 National League Championship Series, the left-hander stepped onto the mound in Los Angeles once again.
There was no Brandon Woodruff warming up in the bullpen to take over after the first hitter in the bottom of the first this time. The stakes were notably lower than they were on that October afternoon in 2018 for Game 5.
The result for the Milwaukee Brewers, though?
The same: a loss.
The Dodgers, for the second straight night, took advantage of a handful of Brewers mistakes and cruised behind starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and a meager three-hit performance from Milwaukee's offense for a 7-1 win Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
With the loss and coinciding wins by the Reds and Cubs, the Brewers, who have five hits across two losses to start the series, saw their lead in the division shrink to 2 ½ games while the scalding Dodgers picked up their 10th win in a row.
Box score: Dodgers 7, Brewers 1
The bat of Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez and Brewers catcher William Contreras’ glove grew well-acquainted.
With runners on the corners and one out in the bottom of the first, Martinez swung at a cutter on the inside corner from Miley and nicked the glove of Brewers catcher William Contreras for a catcher’s interference to load the bases.
Miley got the grounder he needed against the next batter, Amed Rosario, but as was a theme for much of the night, the weak contact was located well enough to benefit the Dodgers as the Brewers had no chance at turning a double play and a run scored.
"It’s frustrating but you got to tip your hat to those guys," Miley said. "I didn’t execute as well as I needed to, for sure, against a lineup like that. But I felt like every ground ball had a GPS hooked to it. I couldn’t get them to hit it at nobody."
Martinez came up the next inning with the Dodgers leading, 2-1, thanks to Miguel Rojas' solo homer with two outs. The bases were loaded with two outs for Martinez after Will Smith’s excuse-me infield single.
It appeared as though Martinez's back foot may have been planted outside the batter's box, but the Brewers nevertheless had no qualms with where he was standing.
"I’ve just to go make an adjustment," Contreras said. "Obviously, it happened once. You've got to be able to make an adjustment after the first one and look where the hitter’s set up and go from there."
"It’s a fine line," Brewers manager Craig Counsell added. "Frankly, we want our catcher as close to the hitter as you can. That helps with receiving. Unfortunately, just the way Martinez swings kind of produced those tonight."
Miley appeared to get out of the inning thanks to a slick play by Willy Adames at shortstop, but alas, it wasn't meant to be; Martinez had again caught Contreras’ glove with his swing.
Instead of the inning being over, it was 3-1, Dodgers.
Right-hander Abner Uribe relieved Miley after the southpaw went five innings allowing four runs, including three earned, on seven hits and two walks. Uribe got the first two outs of the sixth, allowed a single to Mookie Betts and then gave up a fly ball to the warning track to Freddie Freeman.
The ball was playable for center fielder Joey Wiemer, who however got caught in between in a decision of whether to jump, but landed on the base of the wall instead. The miscue – which was initially ruled a double but corrected to an error after the game – directly led to two runs as Betts scored on the play and Freeman then came home on Smith’s ensuing RBI single.
That gave the Dodgers a 6-1 lead, which was extended to 7-1 by Brewers nemesis Chris Taylor’s solo homer off Andrew Chafin in the seventh.
It was a frustrating night for the Brewers offense for multiple reasons.
They weren't without plenty of hard contact early on against Kershaw, who went five innings in his second start back from the injured list, but aside from Mark Canha's solo homer leading off the second, none of it led to any runs.
Joey Wiemer flew out to the wall in left to end the second, Adames hit a double in the fourth that missed clearing the fence by all of one foot, then later that inning Sal Frelick smashed a line drive right at Freeman at first for an unassisted double play.
The batted ball with the highest exit velocity on the night for either side belonged to Christian Yelich, who tattooed a frozen rope against Kershaw in the fifth. Of course, Mookie Betts flagged it down in right.
"I thought we did a decent job against Kershaw," Counsell said. "Had some good swings. Didn’t get a ball to drop to kind of create a big opportunity."
The end results were frustratingly ugly for the second straight game. The Dodgers bullpen of Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier and former Brewer Gus Varland, who made his Dodgers debut with two scoreless innings, held the Brewers hitless over the final four innings.
On Tuesday, the Brewers had one hit after the first inning. Wednesday, they were hitless after the fourth.
Milwaukee has as many errors – five – as hits in the series.
"It's not enough," Counsell said.
The 2018 Brewers were similar in some ways to the current team in that they were built around a strong pitching staff, but the process of how they got those outs differed.
Milwaukee had a cast of excellent pitchers, but it had few proven arms in the rotation to shoulder a heavy load like it does now. Instead, the Brewers weren’t bound by structure or convention in how they deployed their pitchers.
“We just did things a little bit differently,” Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff said. “That’s how we had to.”
Never was that more apparent than Game 5, when the Brewers announced Miley as the starter to get the Dodgers to put out a lineup featuring right-handed hitters, then pulled a bait-and-switch with Woodruff coming out after one batter.
“I just never came outside before the game,” Woodruff said. “I was sitting back there in the bullpen by the tunnel that goes back to the clubhouse. I’m sitting back there watching (Miley) warm up. As soon as they exchanged lineup cards, the lineup’s set, they can’t make any changes. As soon as that happened, I started warming up in the bullpen as Wade’s walking in.”
The move, in some ways, it worked. In others, it didn't.
The Brewers got the platoon advantage they wanted and led through four innings, but Woodruff allowed three runs in the fifth and sixth and the offense couldn't get all that much going against Kershaw in a 5-2 loss.
The Brewers lost the series in seven games, but there was no question as to whether that team could stack up against the Dodgers, the National League's perennial powerhouse.
Entering the seventh game of that series, the season series was almost an even split at 7-6 in favor of the Dodgers. Take out a 21-5 blowout at Dodger Stadium in August and the run margin was almost even, too, at a +2 for Milwaukee.
Can these Brewers compete with the likes of the Dodgers if they make the playoffs?
The last couple of nights have been ugly, as was much of the series between the teams in Milwaukee in May.
Miley, though, believes the Brewers will be able to line up with the Dodgers, or anyone else, in an October setting.
"It’s such a different animal when you get to the postseason," he said. "Obviously, they’re really good. We have a good team in here, as well. We just haven’t played as crisp as we need to play."
Thursday – Brewers at Dodgers, 9:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Corbin Burnes (9-6, 3.60) vs. Los Angeles RHP Lance Lynn (9-9, 5.88). TV: Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.
LF Christian Yelich
C William Contreras
1B Carlos Santana
DH Mark Canha
SS Willy Adames
2B Andruw Monasterio
RF Sal Frelick
CF Joey Wiemer
3B Brian Anderson
P Wade Miley