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Milwaukee Brewers - 5 questions
Milwaukee Brewers
1: Will the rotation be improved? Milwaukee's starting pitchers in 2009 were abysmal, and that's being kind. The Brewers rotation combined to have the worst ERA (5.37) and ranked 27th in BAA (.283). Despite those numbers they managed to finish with an almost respectable 55-59 record. Gone from that rotation is RHP Braden Looper (14-7, 5.22 ERA), who led the staff in wins, and in is LHP Randy Wolf (11-7, 3.23 ERA with the Dodgers) and LHP Doug Davis (9-12, 4.12 ERA with the Diamondbacks). Milwaukee is hoping young RHP Yovani Gallardo (13-12, 3.73 ERA) shows the potential to be the future ace of the staff as he enters his second full season in the rotation. Battling for the last two spots are RHP Dave Bush (5-9, 6.38 ERA), LHP Manny Parra (11-11, 6.36 ERA), and RHP Jeff Suppan (7-12, 5.29 ERA). Suppan may have a leg up in the competition simply because he has the highest salary on the team ($12.5 million), but the 35 year old is four years removed from his last winning season and likely has little left in the tank. Will the rotation improve? If Wolf and Davis continue to eat innings and Gallardo continues to improve, yes. However, the Brewers have a long way to go til they have a group of above average starters.
2: How will rookie SS Alcides Escobar perform in 2010? In his brief playing time in 2009, top prospect Alcides Escobar (.304, 38 H, .333 OBP in 125 AB) opened eyes in Milwaukee. Big things are expected from the youngster, who is penciled in to be the opening day starter at SS. However, expectations should be tempered because it's likely that the 23 year old will have an up and down year in his first full campaign in the majors. Blessed with excellent speed and a good bat, Escobar should eventually work his way into being a fixture at the top of the Brewers lineup.
3: What does RHP Trevor Hoffman have left? For the Brewers sake, the 42 year old better have at least another full season left in the tank. Hoffman (1.83 ERA, 37 SV in 41 SVO) showed no signs of slowing down in 2009 and looks to continue strong into 2010. The all-time saves leader is notorious for being a gym rat, doing everything he can do to keep himself in peak physical condition. Because of this he is likely to be in better shape than some of his fellow pitchers 20 years younger than he is. The end is certainly nearing for the future Hall of Famer, but he likely has what it takes to make in through the upcoming season and a high level.
4: Do the Brewers have any bats outside of 1B Prince Fielder and LF Ryan Braun? Fielder (.299, 46 HR, 141 RBI) and Braun (.320, 32 HR, 114 RBI) combine to form one of the most devastating one-two punches in any lineup. Who else do the 2010 Brewers have in the lineup though? They lost CF Mike Cameron (.250, 24 HR, 70 RBI) in free agency and didn't do a whole lot to make up for it. Milwaukee is rolling the dice on 39 year old OF Jim Edmonds, who sat out the 2009 season, by giving him a chance to make the squad in 2010. Even if Edmonds does make the Brewers he is only going to contribute 10+ HR and 40+ RBI at the most. The Brew Crew need 2B Rickie Weeks (.272, 9 HR, 24 RBI in 147 AB) to stay healthy and for 3B Casey McGehee (.301, 16 HR, 66 RBI) to show that he's capable of producing at his 2009 level consistently.
5: Where will the Brewers finish the season? The culture in Milwaukee has definitely changed. In the recent past an 80-82 record would be seen as a triumph for the Brewers, but in the current climate it is considered a disappointment. That was the record manager Ken Macha had in his first year at the helm of the Brewers, down from the 90-72 spot posted that earned the team a playoff appearance in 2008. Milwaukee fans are likely in for another disappointing year in 2010 as their team just doesn't have the arms to compete with the Cardinals in the NL Central. However, if the rotation proves to have any consistency, the Brewers could compete for the Wild Card spot. You can find the Brewers at 18/1 to win the National League and at 40/1 to win the World Series over at BoDog Sportsbook.
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03-24-2010, 07:09 AM
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