2008 Woodie Awards
Despite Reds series, Brewers looking pretty good
Brad Carr
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Lifestyle
As expected after last season's remarkable start, the Milwaukee Brewers have hit the ground running in 2008. The season began with a very strong statement series against the Cubs, proving that the Central Division crown won't necessarily be staying in Chicago again this year. The Giants series was definitely entertaining. Remember when the Brewers used to be on the receiving end of 13-4 losses just about once or twice a week? After watching those first two series and seeing the Crew in such excellent form, I was starting to see the mirage of the playoffs watching for the Brewers in October. I was soon pulled back to reality by…the Cincinnati Reds.
Before the season, Sports Illustrated picked them to finish ahead of the Brewers in the division and I laughed out loud. However, they just wiped the floor with us last week (at least they didn't sweep us). This has become one of the most frustrating things about being a fan of the "new look" Brewers. The team has the incredible ability to play up to any good competition they face, but unfortunately they also play down to the level of terrible teams. Last season we lost embarrassing games to perennial bottom feeders like the Pirates and the Reds and that essentially cost us the season. Although it's still very early, this recent Reds series just brings back bad memories.
Despite this, it looks like the team is starting off on the right foot overall. They actually have a bullpen with middle relief pitchers that don't have "Please Shell Me" signs on their backs. Gagne will probably be one of the biggest debates of the year surrounding this team. He obviously has boatloads of talent but it's still unclear whether or not his steroid use was the catalyst that made him so incredibly good a few years ago. I actually kind of feel sorry for the guy - he's going to be over scrutinized for the rest of his career. After a shaky first week of the season, he did however comeback with saves on back-to-back days versus the dangerous Mets.
As usual the Brewers' bats are still alive and kicking. They're scoring runs with not just homers, but also very well executed small ball. Bill Hall seems to be returning to great form and as usual is just an overall leader for the team. Meanwhile Rickie Weeks still confuses me (will somebody remind this guy he was the second overall pick?). Jason Kendall has proven to be a great signing so far. He plays solid defense and is somehow currently leading the team in batting average. As for the rest of the squad, they look like they did this time last season. The team seems like they're a shoe in to at least be in the race for the division come last summer. However, every Brewers fan must remember who we're dealing with here. This team LOVES tanking the second half of the season nearly every year. If they can avoid that titanic mistake again, they can finally catch those Cubs and prove the talking heads at Sports Illustrated wrong.
Before the season, Sports Illustrated picked them to finish ahead of the Brewers in the division and I laughed out loud. However, they just wiped the floor with us last week (at least they didn't sweep us). This has become one of the most frustrating things about being a fan of the "new look" Brewers. The team has the incredible ability to play up to any good competition they face, but unfortunately they also play down to the level of terrible teams. Last season we lost embarrassing games to perennial bottom feeders like the Pirates and the Reds and that essentially cost us the season. Although it's still very early, this recent Reds series just brings back bad memories.
Despite this, it looks like the team is starting off on the right foot overall. They actually have a bullpen with middle relief pitchers that don't have "Please Shell Me" signs on their backs. Gagne will probably be one of the biggest debates of the year surrounding this team. He obviously has boatloads of talent but it's still unclear whether or not his steroid use was the catalyst that made him so incredibly good a few years ago. I actually kind of feel sorry for the guy - he's going to be over scrutinized for the rest of his career. After a shaky first week of the season, he did however comeback with saves on back-to-back days versus the dangerous Mets.
As usual the Brewers' bats are still alive and kicking. They're scoring runs with not just homers, but also very well executed small ball. Bill Hall seems to be returning to great form and as usual is just an overall leader for the team. Meanwhile Rickie Weeks still confuses me (will somebody remind this guy he was the second overall pick?). Jason Kendall has proven to be a great signing so far. He plays solid defense and is somehow currently leading the team in batting average. As for the rest of the squad, they look like they did this time last season. The team seems like they're a shoe in to at least be in the race for the division come last summer. However, every Brewers fan must remember who we're dealing with here. This team LOVES tanking the second half of the season nearly every year. If they can avoid that titanic mistake again, they can finally catch those Cubs and prove the talking heads at Sports Illustrated wrong.
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