The Brewers were 3-3 in the first week of 2010 despite being outscored 33-28. It seems to me that the Brewers have a few problems in the pitching staff namely the #3 to #5 starter and the fact that Trevor Hoffman is starting to look old. The Brewers need to play better than they did last week. Maybe a road trip to Chicago (3 games with Cubs) and Washington (3 games with Nationals) will be able to cure what ails the team.

The Brewers are 2-2 on the season as they have scored 19 runs and they have given up 19 runs. How much more average can you get than that? Not much. The Brewers should have a better record than they do but Trevor Hoffman gave up a homer with two outs in the 9th inning against the Cardinals last night to blow a game. The Brewers can’t afford to blow games like last night late because they have little room for error this season.

The Brewers still have a chance at the playoffs as they are 2 games behind the Cubs in the N.L. Central with a 81-78 record. The Brewers have three home games left at home against the Padres while the Cubs have three road games in Cincinnati. Even if the Brewers don’t make the playoffs they might have the N.L. MVP and Rookie of the Year on there roster. Fielder has played in 156 games this season and he is 165 of 569 (.290 avg, 1.015 OPS) with 108 runs scored, 50 homers and 119 RBIs. Ryan Braun has been outstanding in his rookie season as he has played in 110 games and he is 143 for 440 (.325 avg, 1.009 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 34 homers and 95 RBIs.

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 Milwaukee Brewers are back in first place in the National League Central with a 74-70 record which has them only 1 game ahead of the Cubs. The Brewers will have to win the division to make the playoffs because the Padres are 4.5 games better than they are right now. It will all hinge on the pitching staff to hold off the Cubs because the Brewers hitting will be there. Also, the bullpen must do a good job of finishing ball games again as they have been slumping as of late.