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Summing How They Did In Two Sentences or Less
Once again I am taxed with evaluating how the Brewers’ first half went. The kicker is I again must do it in two sentences or less. So here goes…

Pitchers
They have been more erratic than a share of stock during last Thursday’s trading. It is evident they could use another arm to bolster the rotation—at least that is what Brewers faithful desperately want.

Starting pitchers
Yovani Gallardo: Has earned ace status but still has some growing pains to get through before he is a lockdown, All-Star, Cy Young winning pitcher.

Manny Parra: Welcome back! Now pitch like you did last Thursday in every outing and you will not have to pack your bags for Nashville.

Dave Bush: Get well soon, like next week. When you do come back, pitch like you did in the second half of last season.

Braden Looper: Not bad but not great. Is everything you would expect out of your fourth starter.

Jeff Suppan: Is it bad to say has not gotten lighten up like a Christmas tree a whole lot lately and think that is compliment?

Mike Burns: Gave two good starts and two eyesore starts. Hopefully, does well in the bullpen in the second half.

Bullpen
Trevor Hoffman: The most intimidating entrance in all of sports. Turns out, he still has plenty left in the tank.

Todd Coffey: Has been terrific out of the bullpen and I am not just talking about his sprint to the mound. When he does screw up, he is accountable for it—considering he has not had to the take the blame much this season.

Mark DiFelice: Has pitched so well, it makes you wonder why it took him all these years to get to the show?

Seth McClung: Might want to abandon your dream of being a starter and stick to pursuing a career as a closer.

Chris Smith: Hope you enjoyed your cup of coffee in the Majors.

Mitch Stetter: Because of Stetter, I do not miss Brian Shouse one bit. My only concern is will his arm fall off before the season is done?

Carlos Villanueva: Brewers manager Ken Macha put it best when he said “One day he goes out and he's bad and then runs off a couple three [good] games. The thing that concerns me is you don't know which you’re going to get."

Offense
Dear Rickie Weeks,
     We miss you dearly get well soon. Until then, the offense will continue to be inconstant and frustrating to watch.

Infielders
Prince Fielder: Pay the man and suddenly he is the player he was in 2007. Honestly, I am not complaining because I do not want to think where this team would be without him.

Rickie Weeks: Was on the cusp of fulfilling his potential before a wrist injury ended his season. Get well soon and come back strong.

Craig Counsell: Who knew changing your batting stance would make you bat like your ten years younger? The concern is can he hold up down the stretch.

Casey McGehee: The guy is for real and could possibly take home some Rookie of the Year hardware.

J.J. Hardy: Starting to think that hot streak he has every year is not coming.

Bill Hall: Went from future All-Star to the albatross around Doug Melvin’s neck.

Mat Gamel: Has proved he can play in the show. Now it is time he plays every day.

Catchers
Jason Kendall: Still handles a pitching staff well. The same can not be said for how he swings the bat.

Mike Rivera: Cashes a nice paycheck every two weeks and only has to work one day a week. This guy has the best job in baseball.

Outfielders
Ryan Braun: Nothing wrong with showing off some swagger or speaking your mind when you can back it up like Braun does.

Corey Hart: Convinced he will be nothing more than a .260 hitter with 20 home runs. Not bad numbers but this guy is supposed to be great.

Mike Cameron: Has earned every dime of that 10 million dollar option with the leadership he provides in the clubhouse. His hitting has tailed off from the start of the year but this guy has always been hitting between .240 and .260.

Frank Catalanotto: Love the at-bat music but I would still prefer Gabe Kapler or Russell Branyan coming off the bench.

Jody Gerut: This guy is better than Tony Gwynn Jr.? Um, Doug Melvin, you might want to call a mulligan on that move.

Final Prediction
Unless Melvin pulls off a move or two or Ken Macha figures out a way to straighten out the inconsistent hitting, the Brewers are staring 83-79 in the face.