Buy That Man A Beer

Today’s big story across the sports world is the Milwaukee Brewers. They possess baseball’s best record and just finished a sweep of the defending World Champs. “Where did these guys come from?” asks many an incredulous media moron.

Normally, we here at the HoG refrain from following the herd. We tend to set the pace and dictate our own nerdish fashion. These Brewers, though, need to be noticed. We could easily have the 2007 version of the Detroit Tigers on our hands, and come October the Brewers could likewise easily throw away the World Series to an inferior opponent.

Since I am the self-appointed arbiter of baseball worthiness here, let’s look at my preseason analysis of Wisconsin’s finest:

11. MILWAUKEE BREWERS The Brew Crew is one of those chic sleeper picks from contrarian analysts. I don’t buy it. Sure, if Ben Sheets can go the whole way they could make a run. But there’s not a single steady vet to anchor the lineup, defense or clubhouse. Wait til next year, Bernie.

Um, yeah. Not exactly prescient, but I stand by my assertion that Sheets is the key to this team’s eventual success.

The Brewers have a deep pitching rotation. After Sheets they bring Chris Capuano, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas to the rubber. Not spectacular, but in the National League those guys can give you six or seven strong most nights. They then hand it off to a sharp bullpen featuring former starter Elmer Dessens as the long man, Carlos Villaneuva and Matt Wise as the specialists, Derrick Turnbow as the setup man and Francisco Cordero as the closer.

Ben Sheets, when healthy, is one of the ten most dominant pitchers in baseball. But he never, ever stays healthy. Should he buck that trend, the Cerveceros could display the NL’s best staff. But if/when he goes down, the stopper responsibility transfers to Capuano, who is clearly not a No. 1 starter. Suppan is an old hand and a nice edition, but he’s not either (In the interest of full disclosure, I hate Jeff Suppan. He’s always been productive, in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and last year with the Cards. But in his two stints with the Red Sox he’s blown balls, including his single-handed destruction of the division title hopes in 2003—leading to giving the Yanks home field in the ALCS—leading to this. Fuck Jeff Suppan.).

I suppose my breakdown of the lineup/defense was dead wrong. The Brewers do have a couple veterans to hold down the fort, and both of them play the same position: Johnny Estrada and Damian Miller. These two backstops are masterfully managing the pitching staff and providing timely hits. I also assumed that Tony Graffanino was slated for a utility role, but he’s playing every day at third. I like Graffanino, a pro’s pro.

The lineup is anchored by the infield, which I always like. 2B Rickie Weeks leads off, followed by the resurrected SS J.J. Hardy. Prince Fielder, who has absolutely blossomed into a tremendously dangerous hitter, anchors the whole thing. Bill Hall, who’s been moved from passable shortstop to centerfield butcher, is off to a rough start for both Milwaukee and my fantasy club—let’s pick it up, dude.

Then you slot in a catcher, Graffanino and some interchangeable corner outfielders. Geoff Jenkins mans left most days, and then they mix in Kevin Mench, Corey Hart and Gabe Gross. Mench, Laynce Nix and Cordero came over in a deadline deal with the Rangers last year that was an absolute heist—this is a well-run organization.

The roster is still very young, and I do expect a correction soon. After feasting on the weak NL Central all month, the Brew Crew takes on the East and the AL this month. Following series against the Pirates and the Nats, they’ll face the Mets, Phillies, Twins, Dodgers, Padres and Braves in May—a true test of NL relevance.

If they stay healthy they can absolutely compete. And I can absolutely admit when I’m wrong on a team like this—they’re fresh and young and fun to watch. The key, as always, will be The Chorizo.