Second Half Expectations

The first half of the season for the Brewers had its up and its definite downs. The season started bleak as the much hyped bats failed to perform to expectations while talks of failed contract extentions with the world's biggest veggie led the headlines in the press. After the loss of YoGa in early May, many fans wrote this team off as destined to another year of disappointment. Then the Brew Crew finally heated up. After starting the year slowly out of the gates the Brewers finished the first half going 29-15 over their finally 44 games.

Enter CC. Having had countless years of playing seller at the midway point, the Brewers surprised everyone when they dealt Laporta, one of the team's top prospects, for the reigning AL Cy Young winner CC Sabathia. Although he is the definition of a midseason rental with his contract expiring at the end of the year, Doug Melvin showed Brewer fans the club's desire to win now. CC's arrival sparked a new surge for the Brewers and the city of Milwaukee, igniting fans and players alike. In his two starts for the Brewers before the All Star game, CC tossed a complete game and gave up 3 earned runs in seventeen innings of work while also contributing with the bat, hitting a monster home run in his second start. As the Brewers entered the All Star break, the city of Milwaukee carried the feeling a playoff like atmosphere for the first time in years.

Looking towards the second half of baseball things look promising. The Brewers have what many deem to be the easiest schedule in the National League with only 23 of the team's final 63 games comming against teams with a record of .500 or better. This coupled with idea of a rotation starting with CC, Sheets, and Parra at the front gives Brewer fans hope for baseball in October. Here are a few things to look for in the upcomming half of baseball.

• Ned Yost's ability to manage the bullpen. The two or three games given up or saved by the bullpen could be difference between playing in October or an early exit for the team. PS Ned, keep Mota away from the mound.
• Rickie's success at the plate. Late last season Rickie showed an approach at the plate that many hoped would transition over to this season. Rickie has failed to show the talent worthly of the number one selection and needs to step up by swinging for average. A team with a lead off man hitting around .200 will not succeed.
• The power of the Prince. Many have blammed Prince's mediocre showing of power in the first half on his new diet but whatever is to blame Prince needs to fix the problem. If Prince can actually heat up and help Braun this offense will be a feared force in the NL.
• The outcome of the Bush/McClung platoon in the fifth spot. With Bush looking dominant at home and spotchy on the road this change could garner success or the doom of the team this year.
• WILD CARD: Yovani Gallardo. Reports show YoGa rehabing well and could be able to contribute in September. My crazy idea is possibly having him close? Just throwing it out there.

My prediction is for the Brewers to make a run for the NL Central Division but eventually settling in the Wild Card. As for the Playoffs the team in the playoffs, only time will tell.

Here is the link to Brewers.com second half preview