After 53 games this season, Milwaukee’s batting average is a paltry .250, which ranks them ahead of only the listless Padres and Nationals among National League teams. This statistic would not be so astounding were it not for the immense expectations created by last season’s near-miss of the playoffs and the team’s abundance of young talent in the middle of the order.

Despite the subpar performance of its offence, the Brewers entered play on May 29 with a 26-27 record. This bottom line is made all the more surprising given that Milwaukee’s current starting pitchers not named Ben Sheets went nearly a month without recording a win between mid-April and mid-May. Top that off with the fact that Brewers closer Eric Gagne blew almost half his save opportunities before hitting the DL, and one is left bewildered at the team’s level of success.

Part of the explanation may be that Milwaukee’s record in 1-run games is an MLB-best 11-6, but that does not complete the story. The team is slugging .401 – better than all but six American League teams, who have the benefit of a DH – so the power numbers are there even if the batting average isn’t. But otherwise it is hard to find a reason why the Brewers record isn’t worse than it actually is!

Leaving aside this question for the time being, there is reason for optimism. The Brewers have played nine more road games than home games thus far, so one can expect a jumpstart once the team plays out its Miller Park schedule. Some of the team’s slumping stars have started to show signs of life: Corey Hart has five HRs in his past nine games; the streaky Ryan Braun smacked multiple dingers twice in a week before slowing down the past few games; even J.J. Hardy has started to get on base with some regularity. Finally, the return of Mike Cameron from his suspension and the recent addition of Russell Branyan at third base should improve the team’s suspect defensive play.

All that being said, it may be argued that the team needs to make some changes in order to maintain success as the season wares on.

Third basemen Mat Gamet has been shredding minor league this season, surpassing Matt Laporta as the team’s top prospect. With Bill Hall struggling mightily and Branyan anything but a sure thing, it may be time to give Gamet a chance to showcase his talent at the major league level.

Secondly, though he should be lauded for his effort, Prince Fielder needs to start eating meat again! Two months into the season, last year’s 51-HR performance is a distant memory, and the only discernible change is his switch to vegan-only foods. Obviously, nowhere in his contract does it state Fielder must keep a carnivorous diet, but if a few cheeseburgers up his power numbers, it sure seems worth it to me!

Lastly, Ned Yost finally realized that the Jason Kendall experiment had run its course, when he removed the geriatric backstop from the 9^th hole in his batting lineup earlier this week. Yost’s plan was to use Kendall as a “second lead-off hitter” of sorts. Though his theory may have led to Kendall’s hot start to begin the season, the novelty wore off, and Kendall reverted back to his usual mediocrity at the plate in May.

Maybe there’s a reason why so many managers have decided to bat their pitchers last in the order for the past 150 years! Until the Brew Crew trades for Micah Owings or Carlos Zambrano, the traditional approach should remain the status quo in Milwaukee.

Like this post? Share it »

Last post (s) by Daniel Chodos

• “The Hebrew Hammer” Showing off his Braun - July 30th, 2008
• The Domino Effect - July 20th, 2008
• The Domino Effect - July 20th, 2008
• C.C. You in the Playoffs? - July 18th, 2008
• Getting All Defensive - July 4th, 2008