Salomon Torres likely won’t be giving Eric Gagne his old job back as the closer because he has pitched so well. Torres has pitched in 38 games this season (0 starts) for the Brewers and he is 4-1 with 13 saves, a 2.62 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Torres has taken full advantage of getting his big chance to close again after the debacle that was the 2007 season he had with Pittsburgh when he lost the closer job early in the year. Look for him to keep up the good pitching as he has been solid for the Brewers so far this year.

Ben Sheets is pitching some of the best baseball of his major league career right now. He has started 9 games this season for the Brewers and he is 5-1 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He has whiffed 49 batters and walked only 12 in 61.2 innings pitched this season which is a big reason for his success. The Brewers also have been scoring runs when he starts but they aren’t doing that for any of the other starting pitchers. This could be the season that Sheets wins 20 as long as he can stay healthy.

Rookie Yovani Gallardo has really stepped up his game in September when the Brewers have really needed it. In 3 starts this month, Gallardo is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has tossed 21 innings in September and he has allowed 19 hits, walked 8 batters and whiffed 17. Overall this season, Gallardo has been pretty impressive as a rookie. He has pitched in 18 games (15 starts) this season and he is 9-4 with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. In 98.1 innings this year, Gallardo has allowed 95 hits, walked 34 batters and whiffed 87. Look for Gallardo to team with Ben Sheets at the top of the rotation which should be outstanding for both now and in the future. The Brewers are in a dog fight for the National League Central as they are 78-72 which has them tied with the Cubs for first place. The Brewers will have to win the division to make the playoffs as they are currently 5 games behind the Padres in the Wild Card Race.

The Brewers pitching staff is being carried by Ben Sheets in the starting rotation and Francisco Cordero at the back end of the bullpen. Sheets has stayed healthy and that is all he needed to do to dominate. He is 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP so far this season. Look for Sheets to make a push at 20 victories as he finally has a team around him good enough to make that a reality for once. Francisco Cordero is 0-2 with 27 saves, a 2.86 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. His improved control is the biggest reason for his dominance as he has only walked 12 batters and whiffed 49 in 34.2 innings this season.

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.