2014 Milwaukee Brewers Thread
 

It seems like there are enough Brewers fans on the baseball thread to get one of these going, so I figure Opening Day is a good time to start one.

What are your expectations for the team?
Anyone going to Opening Day at Miller Park tomorrow?

Honestly, I expect to finish ~3rd or 4th in the division, but I would love to be wrong! :)!

I am also feeling that Braun is going to have a huge year. He looked great in the Spring, and probably feels that he needs to prove that he can still hit without juice.

I'm interested to see how the second base situation plays out, since Weeks won the job yet Scooter is going to be kept on the 25 man roster.

Not sure what I even want to happen. Obviously in an ideal world a repeat of 2011 would be great, but that seems fanciful. 2nd looks to be more realistic but not even sure I'd like that to happen, unless it came with a WC spot. Alternatively, if they're out of it at the break, deal Aramis, Lohse/Garza/Yo for anything that comes close to being considered a prospect. I honestly wouldn't care if this year had been written off but Attanasio obviously wanted Garza, and the rotation clearly looks better with him in it. I'm guessing we're still looking at a ~.500 team.

Hope Braun does have a big year, if only for my fantasy team. Would love to see Rickie return to form too - I know most would love to see him traded or even cut. I'm not stupid enough to have him on my team though! The lineup is still pretty solid imo, although I'll miss Aoki.

Go Brewers!

I am not expecting too much from the BrewCrew this year. Staying healthy will be the key, but I don't think we have enough to compete with the Cardinals or Pirates.

[QUOTE=lawjawjones;6981373]Honestly, I expect to finish ~3rd or 4th in the division, but I would love to be wrong! :)!

I am also feeling that Braun is going to have a huge year. He looked great in the Spring, and probably feels that he needs to prove that he can still hit without juice.

I'm interested to see how the second base situation plays out, since Weeks won the job yet Scooter is going to be kept on the 25 man roster.[/QUOTE]

I agree, Braun should have a big year. I'm amazed how he just came out hitting on day 1 of ST.

My guess for 2nd base is a platoon. I'm kinda guessing the right side of the infield is going to be tag-teamed with Gennett/Overbay against righties and Weeks/Reynolds against lefties. I love Scooter but if Weeks can do anything productive this year that would be huge!

If this team stays healthy all year, they will get at least 3rd in the division.

[QUOTE=VeedonFleece;6982075]Would love to see Rickie return to form too - I know most would love to see him traded or even cut. I'm not stupid enough to have him on my team though! The lineup is still pretty solid imo, although I'll miss Aoki.
[/QUOTE]

I miss Aoki too, he was such a reliable guy at the lead-off spot. The only way this trade is good is if Khris Davis rakes like the Brewers expect him to.

[QUOTE=prospectorgems;6982212]I am not expecting too much from the BrewCrew this year. Staying healthy will be the key, but I don't think we have enough to compete with the Cardinals or Pirates.[/QUOTE]

No doubt. This team has absolutely zero depth. One or two injuries and this team will look just like it did in September last year (although they did go 15-12 that month).

I don't think winning the division is out of the question. It all comes down to pitching. If Gallardo, Lohse, and Garza are strong, we should have a fighting chance. Not too worried about first base, yet.

On a sidenote: I have a conspiracy theory that Hank the Dog was a marketing ploy by the team to take attention away from Braun's comeback after PED use. Think about it. At least from what I can tell, I've heard way more about Hank the Dog then about Braun in the last month or so. Thoughts?

If they stay healthy they'll be a good team.

[QUOTE=cbcedd;6982428]
On a sidenote: I have a conspiracy theory that Hank the Dog was a marketing ploy by the team to take attention away from Braun's comeback after PED use. Think about it. At least from what I can tell, I've heard way more about Hank the Dog then about Braun in the last month or so. Thoughts?[/QUOTE]

Either that or this

[IMG]http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTIxMTA1MTQxN15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzYzODcxMQ@@._V1_SY317_CR4,0,214,317_.jpg[/IMG]

Pumped for the crew to be starting back up, if the rotation holds up I think they can contend for the division. Can't wait to hear Ueck on the radio again :)!

Will Garza or Gallardo open?

[QUOTE=Thommy;6983186]Will Garza or Gallardo open?[/QUOTE]

Gallardo, Garza is the #3 guy behind Lohse to start the year.

Yovanni needs a shave.

Those first two swings from braun where ugly!

[QUOTE=awz50;6983777]Those first two swings from braun where ugly![/QUOTE]

You're ugly

As already shown today, a healthy Ramirez would go a long way for the Brewers this season.

Love how Brewer fans give Braun a standing ovation in pre game and for getting a base hit but those same people would boo Barry Bonds out of the building.

[QUOTE=Wolves4Life;6984122]Love how Brewer fans give Braun a standing ovation in pre game and for getting a base hit but those same people would boo Barry Bonds out of the building.[/QUOTE]

Get over it. Its the same with any sport. You are disappointed with the player but if he is on your team and helps you win games people forgive for winning. Same as kobe dude raped someone but wins titles and no one talks about that anymore

[QUOTE=nickha2;6984320]Get over it. Its the same with any sport. You are disappointed with the player but if he is on your team and helps you win games people forgive for winning. [COLOR="DarkRed"][COLOR="Black"]Same as kobe dude raped someone but wins titles and no one talks about that anymore[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][/QUOTE] So sad but true..

Oops double post

[QUOTE=Wolves4Life;6984122]Love how Brewer fans give Braun a standing ovation in pre game and for getting a base hit but those same people would boo Barry Bonds out of the building.[/QUOTE]

I'm gonna be booing Jhonny Peralta when he comes to Milwaukee.

Solid win by Gallardo. Not what i like to see on offense but first game its expected.

Outstanding start to the season.
Pitching and defense were flawless, offense got what they needed today.
Gonna be a fun year!!

Stupid Brewers :p

I was pretty disgusted with the standing ovation that Braun received. Ok I get it if people want to clap/cheer for the guy because he still plays for our team...but what he did was disgusting and by no means should he get a standing ovation like everything is automatically forgiven or like he is 'coming back' from an injury as he brought this all on himself. Going to take a lot to earn back the trust of a lot of fans including myself. I am obviously not going to root against him as that would be rooting against the Brewers, but also not going to act like this whole thing never happened either. I hope for the rest of his career he can remain clean and show that he doesn't need the juice to be a great player.

You feel a little more strongly about it than I do, although I share your feelings to a degree and there is no way I'd have been giving him a standing ovation. That said, 'disgusting' is a bit strong for me, though I accept that my 'bitterly disappointing' might be a little soft in your eyes. Ultimately, he's a Brewer, so I hope he goes yard every at bat!