The Brewers' upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this weekend, and a series between the two teams at Miller Park May 17-19, should still be fun, despite the fact the two teams have played horribly until now.
This writer has dubbed the meetings between the two teams the "I-94 Rivalry" since the days I worked for the Kenosha News. The rivalry has always been a friendly one, but still reflects the sincere differences between those of us who live in Milwaukee and those FIPs to the south. You will find no translation of FIPs here.
Just last season, the Brewers and Cubs fought for first place in an early season series at Wrigley. The Brewers swept that series, donned what they called "Sweep Suits," promptly were swept at Pittsburgh in the very next series and have never been the same since.
{INSERT_RELATED}This season, the teams are fighting it out for the cellar in the NL Central Division, although the Brewers seem to be pulling away in that race. You'd prefer to see the teams play under the circumstances of last season, but any time they meet it is still fun.
First, Wrigley Field is a great place to watch a ballgame, second only to Miller Park in my opinion. You will get ripped off for parking, but the setting right in the Wrigleyville neighborhood is great.
Sammy Sosa also is worth the price of admission. Once again, he is among the leaders in home runs, and he always hits well against the Brewers.
The Brewers have several former Cubs who would love to stick it to their old teammates. They include Eric Young, Matt Stairs, Jose Hernandez, Tyler Houston, Ray King, Ruben Quevedo. Hitting coach Gary Matthews played for the Cubs. Assistant GM David Wilder is a former Chicago front office member.
On paper, the Cubs look considerably better than the Brewers. Their problems have been largely due to injuries to the often-injured Moises Alou, a slow start by Fred McGriff and questionable pitching at times.
It's hard to pinpoint the Brewers' problems, because there are so many of them. But, for the most part, lack of hitting has been a bigger problem than the pitching.
The times of the games at Wrigley are 1:20 on Thursday, 2:20 on Friday, 1:20 on Saturday and Sunday. Look for special road reviews of the games on Saturday and Sunday on The Brew Crew Review news and message board.
After the Brewers play four games at Wrigley, they come home to host the Reds and then welcome the Cubs to Miller Park. We'll get to do it all over again, and see some decent sized crowds for the first time since Opening Night.
Trade the Surplus
When Curtis Leskanic, Jamey Wright and Chad Fox come back from the DL, which could be pretty soon, the Brewers will have a surplus of pitchers to go along with the surplus of infielders they've had since spring training.
How can a team with such a pitiful record have a surplus anywhere? GM Dean Taylor should get busy and start packaging some infielders and pitchers for better talent.
Taylor would be better off cleaning out one or two of the current third basemen for a legitimate third sacker who could play every day. Throw in Leskanic, or Jose Cabrera, or another pitcher to sweeten the pot.
The Brewers also need another solid starting pitcher. Maybe Wright with an infielder or two could bring one in return.
To do nothing, with such a poor record and a surplus of players in at least two areas is simply not doing the job a GM should do.
Player of the Week
Jeffrey Hammonds averaged over .350 in the last several games and is the only Brewer hanging around .300.
Play of the Week
The Brewers made several mental and physical errors in the field this week. Let's pick the one Tuesday night, when Glendon Rusch failed to cover first base on what should have been a double play on the Reds' Sean Casey. Casey eventually scored. That was just typical of the poor baseball played by the Brewers.
Goats of the Week
The candidates are lined up. Rusch for that play and his poor outing Tuesday. Ruben Quevedo, who lasted only one inning Monday night. Young, who continues to average under .200. You can go on and on.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The Brew Crew Review on Thursdays and The Milwaukee Sports Buzz on Mondays for OMC.
