Given that the Milwaukee Brewers do not make any transactions before the season begins, here is what I think the starting lineup and starting rotation will be (Some of them I don't agree with but I think that is how it will shake out):
Lineup:
1. Rickie Weeks
2. JJ Hardy
3. Ryan Braun
4. Prince Fielder
5. Corey Hart
6. Mike Cameron
7. Bill Hall
8. Jason Kendall
9. Pitcher
Best two players off the bench: Craig Counsell and TBD. My thoughts are Tony Gwynn or possibly Brad Nelson (if either makes the show). Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar will get strong looks during camp and could possibly make the team. Escobar is a stronger possiblity because Gamel still has much work to do on his weak defensive play. If he wasn't a weak third baseman Gamel would be the Brewers everyday third baseman and Hall more than likely would have been traded already.
Starting Rotation:
1. Yovani Gallardo*
2. Manny Parra
3. Jeff Suppan
4. Dave Bush
5. Seth McClung
Closer: Trevor Hoffman
Setup: Jorge Julio
My everyday lineup if I was Ken Macha:
1. JJ Hardy
2. Mike Cameron
3. Ryan Braun
4. Prince Fielder
5. Corey Hart
6. Rickie Weeks
7. Bill Hall
8. Jason Kendall
9. Pitcher
I would bat Hardy in the leadoff spot because he is one of the few Brewers who doesn't strike out much and is a great contact hitter. Cameron could also bat leadoff but I like him better in the two hole. I would move Weeks down to six because he strikes out too much and until he shows that he can make good contact and raise his batting average he can't bat in the leadoff spot. Hall is a decent player but his best days are behind him and I look for him to get traded at the deadline. He did have lasik surgery so hopefully that will help him get back to the player he was a few seasons ago. It also helps that he is actually staying put at third base this year and doesn't have to get readjusted to another position.
My starting rotation if I was Ken Macha:
1. Yovani Gallardo
2. Manny Parra
3. Dave Bush
4. Jeff Suppan
5. Seth McClung
Closer: Hoffman
Setup: Either Julio or possibly Carlos Villanueva. Although Villanueva has proven that he can eat up innings in the bullpen so I think I would stay with Julio.
Photo: Courtesy of JSOnline.com
