The Milwaukee Brewers were only 1-5 last week as they were outscored 30-21 last week. The Brewers pitching wasn’t too good and their hitting slumped which is not a good combo. The Brewers entered this week with a 28-22 record which had them still in first place in the National League Central, 5 games ahead of the Cubs.

The Brewers have placed Elmer Dessens on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. In 12 games this season Dessens is 1-1 with a 6.60 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. The Brewers will be careful with Dessens because their bullpen is fine without him.

21 year old righty Yovani Gallardo is pitching so good in the minors that the Brewers won’t be able to keep him on the farm much longer. Gallardo is rated as the Brewers #1 prospect by Baseball America and he’s showing why so far this season. In 9 starts in AAA ball, Gallardo is 6-1 with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP so far this season. In 54.2 innings, he has only allowed 34 hits and walked 18 batters while whiffing an amazing 76 batters! Look out when the Brewers call this guy up as he has top of the rotation ability.

Carlos Villanueva has been great so far this season. Instead of moping because he didn’t win a spot in the rotation, Villanueva has been great out of the bullpen for the Brewers. In 18 games this season, Villanueva is 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He has thrown 29 innings this season and he’s only allowed 20 hits but he’s walked 15 batters. Look for Villanueva to move into the rotation if the Brewers have a need there due to injury.

Elmer Dessens has been pretty awful this season for the Brewers. In 12 games, Dessens is 1-1 with a 6.60 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP so far this season. In 15 innings, Dessens has allowed 24 hits and 3 homers already this season. At least Dessens is throwing strikes as he’s whiffed 12 batters while walking only 3. Dessens has been relegated to the mop-up role in the bullpen and that’s where he will stay until he starts to pitch better.