A View From the Cheap Seats! July 3, 2009 By LAURA HARVEY
It's the start of July and the Milwaukee Brewers are leading the National League Central. Most preseason magazines predicted the Brewers would fall apart following the off season and finish last.
So the question is, how does a pitching challenged team lead a division?
The Brewers pitching staff lost starters C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets, in addition to relievers, Salomon Torres, Brian Shouse, Guillermo Mota and Eric Gagne. Also consider the prediction that this year was set to be Manny Parra's break out season. Now he finds himself in the minor leagues.
General Manager Doug Melvin found value in players who had something to prove, like pitchers Braden Looper, Trevor Hoffman, and infielder Casey McGehee.
Melvin brought in a Ken Macha as the new manager. A manager without a prior history with the Brewers, he seems to be pulling the right strings.
The Brewers have solid position players in the minor leagues, but now lack pitchers. So making a trade like last summer (Sabathia) isn't possible this year.
The core of this year's team is Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo and Trevor Hoffman, while some everyday players are struggling like Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart and Jeff Suppan.
And we can still talk playoffs. Playoffs-yes playoffs.
The Brew Crew doesn't have the best team on paper, or a large payroll, it just has guys that seem to have fun. So don't asked yourself how this is happening just enjoy the ride.
You know, it's always easier when you have a view...
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