Image Source: MLB.com
Milwaukee Brewers players are preparing for a memorable first appearance in the MLB Little League Classic, as Milwaukee faces the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, Aug. 23, in Williamsport, Pa. The ninth annual event will bring Major League Baseball stars closer to the young players competing in the Little League Baseball World Series.
The game will be played at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, home of the Williamsport Crosscutters. The historic venue opened in 1926 and was renovated before the inaugural Little League Classic in 2017 to meet Major League standards.
Milwaukee Brewers Make Historic Williamsport Debut
The 2026 Little League Classic is part of MLB Players’ Weekend and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN at 7:10 p.m. ET. ESPN2 will also carry an alternate Alumni-cast featuring special guests and commentators connected to the Little League World Series, including former Major Leaguers Todd Frazier and Devon Travis.
For Milwaukee, the occasion carries extra significance. The Brewers will serve as the home team, marking the first time in franchise history that the club has hosted a game outside its designated home stadium. It is also the first Little League Classic appearance for both Milwaukee and Atlanta.
Players from the Brewers spent the day meeting young athletes and watching Little League World Series action. The children and their families will then attend the evening matchup, creating one of the most distinctive atmospheres on the MLB calendar.
Powerful Pitching Matchup Features Shane Drohan
Left-hander Shane Drohan will start for the Brewers. The 27-year-old has gone 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA and became an important piece of Milwaukee’s pitching staff after arriving from the Boston Red Sox with Kyle Harrison and David Hamilton before the regular season.
Drohan did not begin the year in the Major Leagues, but his value grew quickly when the Brewers needed rotation depth. He led the club with 36 innings during July, stepping forward while Jacob Misiorowski worked through a reset and Harrison dealt with an injury.
After Sunday’s start, Milwaukee is expected to transition Drohan into a hybrid role focused on long relief. The move is designed to manage his workload while preserving his effectiveness for the stretch run.
“Every 12-year-old’s dream is to go to Williamsport,” Drohan said. “And it’s still cool to do it at 27.”
Atlanta will counter with right-hander Tyler Mahle, who has posted a 1.45 ERA through his first three starts with the Braves after being acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the Trade Deadline.
Brewers Bring Speed, Discipline and Emerging Stars
The Milwaukee Brewers have built their offense around plate discipline, speed and aggressive baserunning rather than overwhelming home-run power. No team has hit fewer home runs than Milwaukee, yet the club ranks among the Major League leaders in on-base percentage and runs scored.
Jake Bauers has supplied much of the power, leading the Brewers with a career-high 23 home runs. He has also established personal bests in runs, hits, RBIs and walks.
Joey Ortiz has been one of Milwaukee’s hottest hitters. Since moving from shortstop following Cooper Pratt’s arrival in June, Ortiz has hit .327 with five home runs and 18 RBIs over his previous 31 games.
Closer Trevor Megill has also been nearly untouchable. He entered the matchup with 11 consecutive scoreless appearances and had allowed no runs in 26 of his previous 27 outings.
- Jackson Chourio, left field
- Brice Turang, second base
- William Contreras, catcher
- Jake Bauers, right field
- Andrew Vaughn, first base
- Christian Yelich, designated hitter
- Joey Ortiz, shortstop
- Garrett Mitchell, center field
- David Hamilton, third base
Critical Injury Updates for Milwaukee
Right fielder Sal Frelick could return as soon as Sunday after testing his strained right shoulder during a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Nashville. Frelick looked comfortable at the plate, but the Brewers wanted to make sure he could handle the demands of throwing from right field before activating him.
Right-handed setup man Abner Uribe remains on the injured list with a forearm strain and will not be eligible to return until Wednesday at the earliest. Left-hander JoJo Romero, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the Trade Deadline, has thrown live batting practice and is nearing a rehab assignment but is not yet ready to rejoin the bullpen.
Hank Aaron’s Legacy Takes Center Stage
The game will honor Hank Aaron, who spent his legendary 23-year career with both Milwaukee and Atlanta. MLB will continue Aaron’s famous “Keep Swinging” message through a pregame pledge inviting children watching at home and in Williamsport to embrace perseverance, courage and optimism.
The Little League Classic offers more than a regular-season game. It connects current stars with the next generation, celebrates baseball history and gives the Milwaukee Brewers an unforgettable stage in front of young fans from around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Little League Classic?
The game is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Shane Drohan is scheduled to start for Milwaukee, while Tyler Mahle will take the mound for Atlanta.
Where will the game be played?
The matchup will be held at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
How can fans watch the game?
ESPN will broadcast the game, while ESPN2 will offer an alternate Alumni-cast featuring special guests and former players.
Which Brewers players are worth watching?
Jake Bauers, Joey Ortiz, Trevor Megill, Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich are among the Milwaukee players drawing attention ahead of the game.
