The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off a 3-3 road trip on the West Coast, which usually would mean I am optimistic for the next couple of weeks because we tend to be turrible out west and the road is always an adventure. Sadly, I have the same feeling I did Friday morning when Mali dicked the US worse than offshore banking.. 'I really like being .500 but damn they are better than that.' The Crew could have won 5 out of 6 with the way they played this week. But the first bullpen blow up in awhile, and no timely hitting led to a couple defeats in Denver.
Starting Tuesday night, the Brewers begin 16 games at home out of the next 20 and if they want to put themselves back in the playoff race, this is when it needs to happen. Let's remember that the Brewers have been much improved at home compared to the beginning of the year. The other thing that is encouraging is the Brewers face a couple teams that are very beatable. The beginning series against Minnesota is the biggest one. They get two out of three against a good team, the ball will get rolling and maybe start making a push.
People probably reading this believe that I am drinking the ultra-optimistic 'Tim Allen Kool-aid' but if the Crew cannot garner a series win against the Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, or the Pittsburgh Pirates then we are just a bad team that I will accept. But cue up the #1 overplayed 80s bar song, Don't Stop Believin' in this team for the reason that haunted our nightmares like Rosie O'Donnell in a thong, pitching.
The Brewers have either started smoking more of Ric Peterson's weed or just completely ignore him, no in between from that but they are locked in. Chris Narveson is struggling a bit but I feel if someone can get figure out his early inning problems he will be good. Manny Parra's 1-5 record is agerious with the way he has pitched in the month of June and Yovani Gallardo has developed into the ace pitcher we all wanted. This team couldn't be pitching better and if our hitting comes around a bit more the Brewers become so dangerous.
Our buddy Jon over at Brewers Daily hinted at bringing up Mat Gamel who is T.J. Lavin-style killing it and giving the slumping Casey McGehee some time off. I think this is an excellent idea but in the mean time, I wouldn't mind seeing Jonathan Lucroy in the two spot and moving Corey Hart down to the 5th spot, maybe even send Prince Fielder to that 5th spot. Then McGehee bats six, I think the pressure of getting the big hit might be off of him somewhat. In addition, I am willing to bet Alcedes Escobar has a huge finish leading to the All Star Break, I can tell he is seeing the ball as good as he ever has and could become a real threat.
Tuesday will begin the biggest 20 game stretch for the Brewers and I didn't even mention the big weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals on the road. The Crew could do some real damage and hope they do so I can invite everyone back on the Brewer bandwagon.
-Charlie.
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