Early in the season, it was the starting rotation that raised red flags. Then, it was a faltering bullpen -- especially at the back end -- making people scratch their heads.
Now, though the pitching still hasn't righted itself, it's the offense that has completely disappeared.
The week opened with a 17-run outburst Monday against Pittsburgh at Miller Park. Back-to-back blown saves by Trevor Hoffman led to consecutive losses before the Brewers headed west where their bats fell silent in four games against the Padres.
San Diego hurlers held Milwaukee to just two runs -- both of which came Saturday in a 2-1 victory -- while the Padres' lineup crossed the plate 21 times. The Brewers collected just two hits in 27 chances with runners in scoring position.
Going back to the 14-inning loss against Pittsburgh Wednesday, the team has failed to score in 40 of 44 innings.
"We've got some guys scuffling," manager Ken Macha said. "When you're struggling and the pitching is pretty good, it's doubled up on you."
Against the Padres, the Brewers were held scoreless by starters Clayton Richard (1-2, 3.00), Wade LeBlanc (2-0, 0.52) and John Garland (3-2, 2.06).
"Any time you get held to [two] runs in a series, the pitchers had to be doing something well," said Prince Fielder.
Fielder's struggles are of particular concern. He is batting .244 and has just two homers and nine RBI after hitting .299 with 46 home runs a league-leading 141 RBI in 2009. Last year, Milwaukee finished third in the National League with 785 runs, an average of 4.85 per game. The Brewers hit .263 as a team (4th, NL) and were third in home runs (182), RBI (757), walks (610) and slugging percentage (.426).
Through the first 25 games of the 2010 season, the Brewers are still among the upper-echelon of National League offenses with 28 homers (fourth), 124 RBI (fourth) and 106 walks (second). The .268 team batting average is good for seventh in the league.
Counsell heats up: Craig Counsell is one of the few Brewers finding success at the plate.
Counsell made his sixth start of the season Sunday and has played in 19 games so far.
"I'm hoping to catch lightning in a bottle," Macha said. "You'd like to play the hot hand out."
The veteran infielder extended his hitting streak to seven games is batting .348 during that stretch. In his last 11 games, Counsell is hitting .406.
Weeks cools off: Rickie Weeks has cooled off after getting off to the best start of his career. He opened by hitting in 10 straight games but, has just three hits in his last 40 at-bats.
Weeks, who missed a majority of last season with a wrist injury, has expressed his desire to play in all 162 games this season, but with his current struggles -- and Counsell's hot bat -- Macha may need to give him a day of rest pretty soon.
Before Friday's game, Macha told reporters that he sat down with Weeks after striking out during Thursday's game.
"He's getting himself out," Macha told Anthony Witrado of the Journal Sentinel. "After his first at-bat yesterday I sat next to him and said, 'Hey, that was a goodat-bat.' I know he struck out, but he worked the count to 3-2 and the guy dropped a pretty good changeup on him."
Taking a breather: Today's off-day came at a good time for the Brewers, who are in need of a "mental health" day.
Additionally, the day off gives the bullpen a bit of a break after working XX innings over the last week and allows players to rest up and recover from minor aches and pains.
Outfielders Carlos Gomez (knee) and Jim Edmonds (back) were held out of the lineup Saturday and Sunday but both are expected to be back in action Tuesday in Los Angeles.
"Those are some weapons that we need," Macha said.
Strange, but comfortable: The week began on a disatrous note for Hoffman who blew back-to-back saves last Tuesday and Wednesday against Pittsburgh.
He made his first appearance since those nightmare games Saturday night, when he was called upon to protect a one-run lead against his former team.
He worked a perfect inning to record his 595th career save and heard a handful of boos from fans that cheered him wildly from 1993-2008.
"This game is a business, and as much as I enjoy coming back here and seeing good friends, people on the other side who were instrumental in my career, and well wishes from the fans prior to the game, it's very, very understood that I am wearing a Milwaukee Brewer uniform and I come into the ballgame trying to nail down a win for our ballclub," Hoffman told reporters after the game . "It's nice to be able to get it done from the other side."
Quick hits: Saturday's 2-1 victory was the first this season when the Brewers scored three runs or less ... Carlos Villanueva's streak of 13 scoreless innings was snapped Sunday ... Seven of Counsell's 13 hits have been for extra bases ... Casey McGehee missed Friday's game to be with his wife, Sarah, who gave birth to a baby girl, Cooper Reece ... After starting the season 0-for-21, Gregg Zaun is 15-for-45 (.333) with four doubles and eight RBI.
He said it: "I don't want to go on the road and take dixie there; I'd rather do it here." -- Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker, on taking some extended time off to undergo heart surgery.
On the farm: Class AAA Nashville catcher Jonathan Lucroy was named the Brewers' minor league player of the month after hitting .405 with 10 home runs. Class AA Huntsville righty Amaury Rivas, who went 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA, was named the organization's top pitcher ... Huntsville catcher Angel Salome, once one of the system's top prospects, is taking some time away from the team to deal with personal matters. He is working out at the team's spring training facility in the meantime. ... OF Cutter Dykstra has joined Class A Wisconsin. He had been participating in extended spring training ... Chris Capuano made his season debut last week with Class A (high) Brevard County. In two appearances, Capuano is 1-0 with an 0.93 ERA. He's allowed six hits and struck out 12 in 9.2 innings.
This week: Monday is an off day for the Brewers, who open a three-game series Tuesday aganist the Dodgers in Los Angeles. After that, it's off to Phoenix for three games against the Diamondbacks.
N.L. Central standings (through games Sunday): 1, St. Louis, 17-8; 2, Chicago, 13-13 (-4.5); 3, Cincinnati, 12-13 (-5); 4, Milwaukee, 10-15 (-7); 5, Pittsburgh, 10-15 (-7); 6, Houston, 8-16 (-8.5).
