MILWAUKEE – This was expected to be the season the Milwaukee Brewers finally took a step back after making five playoff appearances over the last six years in Major League Baseball’s smallest market.

It hasn’t happened.

After losing manager Craig Counsell to the rival Chicago Cubs and trading 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, the Brewers have withstood numerous injuries to build the largest division lead of any team.

Milwaukee has won five straight and leads the NL Central by 11 games over the St. Louis Cardinals, who host the Brewers in a three-game series beginning Tuesday. Manager Pat Murphy says the Brewers are still “in the middle of a fight.”

“If you go back to your corner and look over and look at the scorecard, that doesn’t help you, you know what I mean?” Murphy said. “Go to the corner and put your head down. You know what’s going on. You know if you’re taking on water, pressure or whatever. You know the situation. You don’t need to look over your shoulder and wonder, ‘How many games?’

“You just need to stay the course. You need to stay in the ring, get some water, wait for the bell, go out there and try to win a decision every round you can.”

All-Star catcher William Contreras, shortstop Willy Adames and rapidly improving rookie outfielder Jackson Chourio lead a lineup that ranks 10th in the majors in runs, up from 17th last season.

The Brewers’ 3.66 ERA ranks second in the majors, behind Seattle’s 3.48. They’ve used 17 starting pitchers, matching the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most in the majors, according to Sportradar.

Milwaukee has gotten the second-fewest innings from its starters of any MLB team — only Miami has fewer — but a deep bullpen has picked up the slack. Eleven Brewers have recorded a save, second to the Dodgers’ 12.

The Brewers acquired veterans Aaron Civale and Frankie Montas last month to boost a rotation that has also benefited from a couple of guys who have rejuvenated their careers.