Carlos Villanueva has been a lifesaver for the Brewers pitching staff this season as he’s given them a lot of innings out of the bullpen and he made a nice spot start for them to this season. Villanueva has pitched in 28 games this season and he’s 5-0 with a save, a 3.02 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has already worked 47.2 innings this season and he’s allowed 40 hits, walked 22 batters and whiffed 40. Villanueva is so valuable to the Brewers because he can pitch multiple innings or start for them if they get in a bind.

The Brewers are glad to get Rickie Weeks back as they need a little help for the offense. Weeks has played in 45 games this season and he’s 43 for 173 (.249 avg, .793 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 5 homers, 17 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Weeks will be a huge improvement over the Tony Graffanino/Craig Counsell platoon that replaced him while he was out. It will also strengthen the bench as both of those guys are versatile and they are decent pinch hitters. Tony Gwynn was sent to AAA to make room for Weeks. Gwynn played in 49 games this season and he was 25 for 83 (.301 avg, .712 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 8 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Gwynn will be back soon if the Brewers suffer any injuries because he played well for them.

The Brewers have placed Chris Capuano on the 15-day disabled list after he strained his groin warming up for yesterday’s start which he didn’t make. He has started 13 games this season for the Brewers and he’s 5-5 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. He has thrown 70.1 innings and he has allowed 71 hits, walked 28 batters and has whiffed 60. The Brewers have recalled Yovani Gallardo from AAA to take over Capuano’s spot in the starting rotation. Gallardo has started 13 games in AAA this season and he was 8-3 with a 2.90 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.

The Brewers are ecstatic with the early play of rookie Ryan Braun at the hot corner. He is batting 3rd in the lineup, right in front of Prince Fielder and that’s getting him a lot of good pitches and he’s doing something with them. In 16 games this season, Braun is 20 for 63 (.317 avg, .940 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 4 homers, 10 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Look for Braun to continue with his hot bat, hopefully he plays at least average defense at 3B for them.

The Milwaukee Brewers are only 6-7 the last two weeks as they’ve been outscored 65-55. The Brewers pitching is the reason for their recent slump and they need to get it straightened out. The Brewers enter this week with a 34-29 record which has them in first place in the National League Central, 5.5 games ahead of the Cardinals.