Should we be worried about the Brewers?

[David]

I am not worried about the cubs, like the Brewers, the cubs aren't as good as they were last year either. If you think about it the cubs over achieved while the Brewers under achieved, and we won't have Ned to makes all those big mistakes like he did last year.

 

lol

[otis89]

I am not worried about the cubs, like the Brewers, the cubs aren't as good as they were last year either. If you think about it the cubs over achieved while the Brewers under achieved, and we won't have Ned to makes all those big mistakes like he did last year.

 

2008 Cubs:

 

Actual W-L: 97-64

Pythag. W-L: 98-63

 

2008 Brewers:

 

Actual W-L: 90-72

Pythag. W-L: 87-75

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/?ymd=20081027

 

Tell me again who overachieved and who underachieved.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Aww damn! Why did you have to go and bring real facts to an argument? :D

[Rob]

I am not worried about the cubs, like the Brewers, the cubs aren't as good as they were last year either. If you think about it the cubs over achieved while the Brewers under achieved, and we won't have Ned to makes all those big mistakes like he did last year.

 

2008 Cubs:

 

Actual W-L: 97-64

Pythag. W-L: 98-63

 

2008 Brewers:

 

Actual W-L: 90-72

Pythag. W-L: 87-75

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/?ymd=20081027

 

Tell me again who overachieved and who underachieved.

 

I read his argument to mean individuals overachieved or underachieved compared to their projections... which isn't something that would show up in a pythag.

[Ball And Glove]

I think much like last season, if the Cubs are going to be doing any worrying about the Brewers, it'll be their own doing...the Cubs are the best team in the division, and unless other teams get an unexpected breakout season from a few players, they should sleepwalk to another playoff appearance.

 

The Brewers will stick around in the wild card race again, though. They're mostly the same team they were before the Sabathia trade last season, and that squad was in the thick of things before Sabathia even came to town. I'd say the only big difference is that the Brewers will have a healthy Yo Gallardo instead of Ben Sheets in the rotation, which is a small step down (but not a huge one, IMO). The bullpen is probably a little better than it was last year, but it still won't be much better than average. I do like this year's bench better than last year's, but those guys won't get enough ABs to make much of an impact.

 

I'd say the Brewers finish with something like 84-86 wins...a respectable year considering what they lost, but missing out on the wildcard by a few games. The only thing that really has me worried is Braun's continued struggles with the intercostal strain that's been flaring up again this spring...if he misses any extended periods of time, then all bets are off. I love Brad Nelson, but the Brewers need Braun in the lineup every day to have a fighting chance.