This is part two of a two part kickoff article to Season Five of the Sunday Cycle. Part One can be found here.
It would be easy to abandon all plans I had for the second half of my season preview and instead post a 1,000 word rant about how the Brewers are going to ride the power duo of Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich to a World Series. If that was the route I was planning to take after the Crew’s red hot 3-0 start, I’d also have to take a paragraph or two to explain how Ryan Braun is officially BACK.
But that would be overreacting- and I refuse to do that before I’ve enjoyed my first Miller Lite of the year at the Brewers’ home opener.
Regardless, could this weekend have gone any better for the Brewers? It was the perfect start to one of the most anticipated Brewers seasons in years. Short of Corey Knebel’s blown save on Opening Day, which doesn’t concern me in the slightest, the Brewers took care of business in San Diego and will enter a 10-game stretch vs the only two divisional opponents with a realistic shot at contending for the NL Central: the Cardinals and the Cubs.
Part One of my season kickoff focused heavily on the Brewers’ upgraded lineup, which was on full display against the Padres. As dangerous as this lineup is already proving to be, there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty surrounding the starting pitching on this team.
Is it justified? Somewhat, I suppose.
People continue to devalue Chase Anderson, who has been among the best in all of baseball over the past year and a half. Chase pitched an absolute gem on Opening Day, despite nearly giving me a heart attack with this awkward slide into home plate. I have no concerns about Chase, or Zach Davies, who will take the mound during tomorrow’s home opener. I’ve gained a lot of respect for Davies over the past couple of seasons: he’s displayed a tremendous ability to control both his pitches, and his emotions. He rarely puts together two poor starts in a row.
However, the rest of the rotation is a question mark. Jhoulys Chacin (yes, spellcheck, I’m sure) owns a career 3.95 ERA, but he struggled with command last year and his fastball is down a tick or two at age 30. I want to love Brett Suter, but I’m afraid opposing teams are going to start destroying his 89 MPH fastball once they get used to his quick delivery. Brandon Woodruff has good stuff, but he’s still raw- his best days are likely a couple of seasons away. Jimmy Nelson is out until at least July, and that’s best case scenario. Barring all five (six, including Nelson) starters meeting or exceeding their 2017 numbers, the rotation is going to need help.
Many, myself included, thought that help would arrive in a Brewer uniform prior to Opening Day. That didn’t happen. Which is why anyone (cough, Cubs fans) who says the first two months of the MLB season don’t matter doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
(Readers are likely now thinking, oh man, Rob’s building up to something…)
You better believe I am.
These first eight weeks of the season are CRITICALLY important for the Brewers, because they’ll influence the moves the team will make before the trade deadline. If the Brewers bats can keep winning ballgames in April and May, I’m 99% confident that the Brewers will move some of their prospects to bring in a loaner player and really make a charge for the postseason. If the Brewers play uninspiring baseball and hover around .500, you can understand why David Stearns would be hesitant to part ways with anyone.
As for the bullpen? Solid. Really really solid. Middle relief is the new “hip thing” in baseball, and Josh Hader ranks high on that list of talented middle relievers that can keep hitters guessing in the 6th-7th. Matt Albers is already a fan favorite, and that has nothing to do with his weight. Jacob Barnes struggled early in 2017, but really figured it out the second half of the season and will look to build on that momentum. Jeremy Jeffress has the heat needed to be a rock solid setup man, the question with him is always the control. The Brewers quietly signed Tampa Bay reliever Dan Jennings, who owns a career 2.88 ERA despite never pitching for a competitive team in his 6+ years in the majors. The entire pen is anchored by All-Star closer Corey Knebel. I have no concerns about the bullpen. None at all- it could be one of the best in the league.
Like it so often does in baseball, it will come down to the starting pitching, and the Brewers are going to need some help. The more games they win in April and May, the stronger the push will be to bring in an absolute stud before the deadline. Without a doubt, teams that plan to compete this year will fade below .500 and become sellers; there will be pitchers available in June and July.
I teased a couple of things in Part One of my season preview. After giving it some more thought, I’m going to save one of my favorite segments (What Rob’s Buying / Selling), as well as my plans to take the Milwaukee baseball media by storm, for the coming weeks- that’s the perks of being a Senior writer. That said, I can’t think of a better way to tee up my 7th consecutive trip to Miller Park for the Brewer’s home opener than leaving you with my NL Central prediction:
The Brewers will win the NL Central with 92 wins. The Cubs will finish second with 90 and win the Wild Card game, potentially setting the stage for a playoff series for the ages.
Hold on to your helmet fries, Milwaukee: if the series sweep in San Diego was any sign of what’s to come, it’s going to be an incredible ride.
ALL IN!