MILWAUKEE -- It's too early to talk about pennant races and first place, but when the St. Louis Cardinals come to Miller Park this week you know the topics will come up.
The Cardinals and Brewers meet Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Thursday afternoon. A sweep by the Brewers could put them into first place in the NL Central. A sweep by the Cardinals would put the Brewers back down to .500.
Mark McGwire won't be with the Cardinals. He isn't due to come off the disabled list until June 5. But, Brewers' fans will get their first look at rookie sensation Albert Pujois, who is putting up Big Mac type numbers and playing a fine third base for the Cards.
The Cardinals also continue to have Jim Edmonds, Ray Lankford, J.D. Drew, former Brewer Fernando Vina and others in their lineup.
Milwaukee is just about at full strength for the first time this season. Mark Loretta and Geoff Jenkins are back. Only Jeff D'Amico remains on the disabled list.
Just a couple weeks ago, Brewers' fans failed to turnout in huge numbers for a week day series with the Chicago Cubs. Miller Park ended up sounding like Wrigley Field, as the Cubs' faithful came in droves from down south.
The Cardinals' fans have a little farther to travel, so you probably won't see as many of them in the stands as you did Cubs' fans. But, the point is this is a good baseball series, even though it is early in the season.
If Brewers' fans don't turn out in good numbers, it starts to raise the questions whether they deserve a ballpark like Miller Park, and a team as good as the Brewers are becoming.
Musical Chairs In Infield
Manager Davey Lopes showed over the weekend he plans on switching Loretta, Jose Hernandez and Tyler Houston around to get all of them some playing time.
He started Loretta at third base Saturday. Loretta also will play shortstop. Hernandez will play some third as well as short.
As long as the three players accept the fact they might have to switch around, and maybe even sit on some days, Lopes shouldn't have problems playing musical chairs.
Grand Slam Devon
You can bet Devon White will continue to get his share of playing time in the outfield, as long as he continues to hit like he has been. White had his third grand slam home run of the season in Sunday's game.
He also is a switch-hitter, which adds to Lopes' options in the outfield. Until Jeffrey Hammonds shows he is worth $7 million, White should get as much playing time in center, and provide backup for Jenkins in left and Jeromy Burnitz in right.
Good Luck Tony
Tony Fernandez was designated for assignment by the Brewers to make room for Jenkins on the roster. The veteran is likely in his last year anyway. He wants to run a foundation in his name, which helps underprivileged kids in his native country of the Dominican Republic.
You would have liked to see Fernandez go out with a flurry for the Brewers, but he couldn't get playing time and showed his age at times. He is a classy guy, though, who deserves good luck in his post-baseball years.
The Weekend Wrap
The Brewers slipped in Pittsburgh. After they were washed out Friday night, the Brewers probably wished they had been again on Saturday night, as the Pirates took care of them, 6-1.
Ben Sheets had his first bad outing since taking a two-game trip to Indianapolis. He gave up five runs in only four innings. In four previous appearances, Sheets had been 4-0.
The Brewers then built a 7-0 lead, thanks in large part to White's grand slam, on Sunday, only to blow that lead and lose 8-7. That puts their record at 23-20, and makes the return home to Miller Park all that more important.
Gregg Hoffmann publishes The Brew Crew Review on OMC. Look for columns on Monday and Fridays, and hit the Message Board to exchange viewpoints and see brief summaries of games and other news about the Brewers.
