2010 Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Preview

Two years ago the Milwaukee Brewers made the playoffs for the first time since 1982. In 2009 they took a step backwards and placed third in the National League Central with a record of 80-82. Starting pitching was a real problem for the team last season. Two of their regular starters had earned run averages of over 6.00 and another two were over 5.00. The Brewers pitching staff as a whole had the second worst ERA in the National League, ahead of only the woeful Washington Nationals. The Brewers made changes to the staff for 2010, but will it translate into more victories?

The overhaul of the pitching staff started when the Brewers decided not to pick up the option on last season's wins leader Braden Looper. Looper is still a free agent as spring training as camps are about to open. To counter the loss of innings from Looper the Brewers brought back old friend Doug Davis. Davis pitched for Milwaukee from 2003-2006. If nothing else Davis will eat up innings, he has topped 200 innings in four of the last six seasons. The Brewers also signed free agent left hander Randy Wolf to a three year deal. Wolf went 11-7 last season with the Dodgers with an impressive 3.23 ERA. Yovani Gallardo, who was one of the few bright spots in the rotation last year, will be looked upon to repeat his 2009 performance. Gallardo will be 24 when the season starts and he looks primed to become the ace of the staff.

The bullpen will once again be anchored by all time saves leader Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman had another stellar season with 37 saves an an ERA of 1.83. Rock steady set up man Todd Coffey will be joined in that role by newly signed free agent LaTroy Hawkins. With the Houston Astros last season Hawkins appeared in 63 games and picked up 11 saves as well.

The lineup will also look a little different in 2010. Mike Cameron now plays in Boston so the Brewers will look to the speedy Carlos Gomez to play center field. Gomez is the definition of all glove no bat, as he hit for just a .229 average last season with only three home runs. Veteran Jim Edmonds was invited to camp to challenge Gomez for the job. Jason Kendall is gone as well. He was replaced by another veteran in Gregg Zaun. Of course none of the new additions will be counted on to make much of an impact on offense. The Brewers will count on Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Casey McGehee to power the offense, which is an impressive trio.

In the end the Brewers should be on the up-tick this season. I am not certain they will be able to catch the St. Louis Cardinals, but with a mid season move or two the could come away with the wild card like they did in 2008. Prediction: 89-73 in second place in the NL Central, winning the NL Wild Card.

Stats courtesy on www.mlb.com