Shrine on Shady Lane: Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre's house in Ashwaubenon is for sale. It is listed at $475,000, but you figure some superfan will buy it and give tours.

Welcome back: It seemed a bit strange that injured lefty Chris Capuano, who has been out all season after undergoing elbow surgery in spring training, wasn't around to see the Brewers clinch the wild-card last weekend.

"He probably should have been here," one player said.

"I think sometimes guys who are hurt don't feel like they're part of things," Counsell said. "It can be tough. When I was in Arizona in 2002, I was hurt and I didn't even want to travel with the team during the playoffs.

"When you're hurt, you feel like an outsider."

General manager Doug Melvin said that Capuano will be at the game Saturday.

Close friends: Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy's has a friend in town this weekend - Dustin Yount, Robin's son.

"We've been buddies a long time," Hardy said. "Sophomore year (in high school), we were on the same (baseball) team and we became really good friends."

Hardy, who has scuffled at the plate recently, said he feels strong.

"This is the best I've felt ever since I was drafted," he said. "Body-wise, everything feels healthy. Maybe I finally got past the growing pains, or whatever it is. I feel better than I have in a long time."

Though he wants to extend this season, Hardy is looking forward to a healthy off-season.

"I'm actually looking forward to it," he said. "I'm going to be able to lift with my legs this winter. Haven't been able to do that in eight years. Every year, if it wasn't something else, I had knee problems. I feel good now. I'm excited about being able to do some lifting with my legs."

Hitting help: Some ugly recent at-bats by Corey Hart and other Brewers hitters has brought increased attention on the notion of swinging at the first pitch.

"It's a fine line between being too aggressive and not too aggressive," Counsell said. "If you look at it, the league average on the first pitch are really good. If you look at averages on the first pitch, being aggressive isn't a bad thing. If the pitcher is getting ahead (in the count), do you want to sit there and take strikes and go 0-1? I think the key is putting good swings on pitches early in the count."

Counsell credited Cole Hamels and Brett Myers for keeping the Brewers off-balance.

"Whenever Myers got behind, he got back with breaking balls in fastball counts. I really think the pitchers deserve some credit, too."

Psychology 101: On the day before Game 3, reporters asked Brewers players about a Game 4. The thinking is that the pressure in Game 4 would fall on Philadelphia, because they would want to avoid the prospect of playing Game 5 against a rested CC Sabathia.

"There is always pressure," Counsell said. "You get in these playoffs and everybody tries to put the other team on a couch and break 'em apart. It's all perspective. Is it do-or-die? In a certain aspect, that's how you approach every game."

This Bud's for you: Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is expected to attend Game 3 at Miller Park.

Band ban: Wisconsin's marching band has been suspended because of serious hazing allegations. As a result, the band won't perform at the game against Ohio State tonight at Camp Randall Stadium.

According to the University, the alleged conduct is consistent with behavior that resulted in the band being placed on probation in 2006. In particular, the new reports of alleged conduct include inappropriate alcohol-use, hazing and sexualized behavior.

"I'm truly disappointed to have received these serious allegations, and I will assist this investigation in any way that I can," band director Michael Leckrone said. "It is my expectation that the members of the band will cooperate and come forward with any and all relevant information."