Melvin: Four key July NL Central series may decide Brewers trade path
MILWAUKEE - Recent word and rumor has abounded about the Milwaukee Brewers' potential moves during the final month of non-waiver trades for the 2012 MLB season, including the possible dealing of starting pitcher Zach Greinke.
Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin told Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News" that the results of four upcoming series against National League Central divisional foes may decide if the Brewers are buyers or sellers.
"We've got this series to finish up today (with the Miami Marlins, 12:35 p.m. on Newsradio 620 WTMJ), three games with Houston. After the All-Star break, we've got Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Cincinnati," said Melvin.
"Those will be pretty good games for us to determine where we'll be at, at that point...you've got to beat those teams ahead of you."
With the Brewers at the exact midway point of the season (81 games), Milwaukee stand seven games behind the NL Central-leading Pirates and six games behind the final National League wild card holders, the Reds.
"We're still hoping to put together a streak. The other teams in this division aren't doing anything to run away...it will be a gut feeling of where we're at that particular time."
One thing the Brewers need to solve is the team's recent bullpen woes.
Milwaukee relievers have an ERA of 15.43 over their last two games, but the problems have lasted far beyond just this week.
"That's been one of our big problems this year," explained Axford. "(Relievers are) no different than starting pitchers. Starters can have four or five bad outings in a row, and he still gets the ball. Sometimes, you have to determine if there's something better, and if not, you have to ride with him and hope for improvement."
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