Brewers & Athletics End in Tie in Extra Innings

The Brewers and Athletics game ended in a tie for the first spring training game of the season for the two clubs. The score was 3-3, and the game ended in the 10th frame. Jason Kendall, Corey Hart, Craig Counsell, Brad Nelson, and Scott Thorman all batted 1.000 for the Crew. Hart also had a steal. Recap.

Rotation set for Spring Training

I could not be more displeased with the rotation for Spring Training. It is not so much of what it is in Spring Training, it is the fact that this could probably be the rotation when the regular season begins.

Jeff Suppan
Yovani Gallardo
Manny Parra
Braden Looper
Dave Bush

Macha couldn't be more off on this rotation (I could care less if this is the Spring Training rotation, but I am worried it will be the regular season). Macha did emphasize that he does not mean they will line up like that in the regular season.

First off, Suppan is awful and will only do well as the fifth person in the rotation. Bush is much better than a No. 5, Looper should be the No. 1. I agree with having Gallardo as the No. 2 until the All-Star break. Although, he is clearly the Brew Crew's ace and should probably just be the ace right away. I would move Parra down one spot to No. 4 and put Bush as the No. 3. Having Suppan as our ace is a disaster in the making. The man can't keep the ball in the park and pitches well about one of every five games. I like him as the No. 5 but nothing more than that.

Photo: Courtesy of JSOnline.com

Can Brewers chemistry rope in a NL Central Division Crown?

The Milwaukee Brewers by far have one of the best (if not the best) chemistry's in the MLB. The crop of youth in Milwaukee has played years of baseball with each other- Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, JJ Hardy, Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Tony Gwynn Jr. etc. These guys are all around the same ages. They have tremendous chemistry and enjoy playing with one another. Where other teams bring in new talent every year like the Yankees and Red Sox, the Brew Crew bring em' through the Minors. Talent has a lot to do with making a pennant run but it doesn't mean everything (look at Tampa Bay coming out of the woodworks last year). Guys that can play with each other and have smaller egos are going to work better with each other and have more fun playing. Talent isn't everything (look at last year's Yankees. I am going to go out on a limb, but I think it will be the same for this year's Yankees- they will make it to the playoffs but won't make it far.)

The Brewers made a big step last year as the Wild Card team, but will chemistry and a heap of talent finally take them to a Division pennant? My answer is no unless the Cubs completely fall apart. But, I love watching how much fun they have playing together. I just don't think the pitching will be strong enough to put it all together to take first place. I still give them second place and think the Brewers offense will have a break-out season. They are a legit candidate at another Wild Card birth especially if Capuano comes back around June 1.

Photo: Courtesy of JSOnline.com

Fielder dropped some pounds over off-season

Prince Fielder came into camp noticeably slimmer after receiving a new contract. The Brewers said he is much more cheerful and easy-going after dropping the weight and with his new two-year contract. He vows to keep off the weight in 2009. It is unknown how much he weighs right now because he doesn't like scales. Video and article of Fielder here.

I'm feeling pretty good about Prince this year. I think having some economic security right now will help Fielder concentrate on only baseball. He said that he has been very happy. I think his stats will translate into what he did his rookie year.

Photo: Courtesy of JSOnline.com

Rest for the Weary

Jason Kendall may see more bench time this season. Kendall led the Majors with 149 starts last season at catcher. Skipper Ken Macha would like to have backup Mike Rivera start at least once every time through the rotation. He does not want Kendall slowing down at the end of the season.

I think this would be a great idea for the Brewers to put Rivera in the lineup more. Rivera is a solid catcher who should have seen more time last year, especially when Kendall's numbers started to drop off. Kendall won't be happy to see any bench time but that is Macha's decision. Rivera batted .306 with 14 RBI in 62 at-bats.

I am starting to love Macha who has already made a few decisions that I wanted to see done last year. Former manager Ned Yost was not a good coach, putting pitchers in at the wrong time and never really vocalizing with his players to tell them what they did wrong. Macha is a big step up because he is not afraid of displeasing his players and he adds some much needed toughness, exactly what this young team was lacking a year ago.

To see more about this, check out: Milwaukee Brewers homepage

Photo: Courtesy of JSOnline.com

Gag(me) Gagne is back!

According to JSOnline, Eric Gagne is back with the Brewers. He signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring camp. The terms of his contract are yet to be disclosed.

Gagne will compete for the setup role. Last season he went 4-3 with a 5.44 era, and 10 saves in 17 chances. He was stripped of the closer position for Solomon Torres who retired after the season.

Minor league deal? No risk, but there won't be any reward. I don't see him on the Brewers roster this year unless he somehow shakes his funk.

There's a guy that steroids did wonders for. It's like having Derrick Turnbow back on the team. Just a complete waste of roster space if he actually makes the team but might as well give him the chance, in case there is that small-miniscule chance that he redeems himself.

Gallardo not the No. 1 Guy?

According to reports, the Brewers head coach Ken Macha, doesn't want Yovani Gallardo as the opening day starter. He doesn't want too much pressure on his young star, especially after missing most of last season with injury. New signee Braden Looper and Dave Bush are two contenders to be the ace. Macha also said that after the All-Star break, if Gallardo is pitching well enough, he will most likely take over as the ace.

Maybe it isn't such a bad idea to put the veterans in the front part of the rotation. Macha might have something there... I would still have Gallardo in the front part of the rotation, probably as the No. 2 guy until the All-Star break. He can flat-out pitch and I don't know if I like Looper and Bush going back-to-back in the rotation.

Photo: Courtesy of MLB.com