| 620WTMJ's Expert (alphabetically) |
Biggest Strength |
Biggest Weakness |
Season hinges on who's bat? |
Season hinges on who's arm? |
Prediction |
Bill Michaels
Sports Central
E-mail | Blog |
Up the middle.
Mike Cameron a great defensive addition. |
Lineup.
2007: 25th in walks, 21st in OBP, 21st in K's, 24th in road BA. |
Bill Hall.
Who will show up, '05-06 excellence or subpar '07 w/only 14 HR? |
Closers.
I'm not convinced Turnbow or Gagne are the answers. |
Rightfully optimistic.
But wildcard won't come from NL Central, and no playoffs is unacceptable. |
Dan O'Donnell
Wisconsin Sports Weekend
E-mail | Blog |
Hitting.
Fielder, Braun and Hart can all knock the seams off the ball. |
Defense.
The Brewers had the 6th most errors and 6th worst fielding percentage in baseball.
|
Rickie Weeks.
It's put up or shut up time, and the Brewers need a big bat at the top of the lineup.
|
Ben Sheets.
He's the ace, and in a contract year, he needs to play like it. Mostly though, he needs to stay healthy. |
89-73, NLCS appearance.
One of the best young teams in baseball, should thrive in a relatively weak division. |
Jim Powell
620WTMJ's Co-Voice of the Brewers
E-mail | Blog |
Offense.
Seven of eight regular players should hit 20+ home runs. |
Defense.
Pitching suffers and even collapses if defense can't compliment. |
Prince Fielder.
They can least afford to lose him. |
No one arm...
...but Ben Sheets is the only true #1 starter.
|
90-72.
Making predictions are always difficult, and must be kept in proper perspective, but keep your October calendar open.
|
Jay Sorgi
Reporter, Wisconsin's Morning News, 620wtmj.com
E-mail |
The 3-4 slots in the lineup.
Braun and Fielder may have no equal in the National League. |
Bullpen.
No proven consistent closer; Doug Melvin's thrown a bunch of guys in the mix, hoping one pans out. |
Whoever mans the 1 slot.
If it's Rickie Weeks or even Tony Gwynn, that guy must get on base to help the big bats produce RBI's. |
Ben Sheets.
If he's healthy, the starters get easier matchups and more chances at W's. If he's productive, the bats don't feel as much pressure. |
91-71, wildcard, NLCS.
The restocked Cubs will win the division, but feasting on the weak Central gets the Brewers enough wins to make it...and make it farther than the Cubs in the playoffs. |
Todd "The Llama" Welter
Sports Central Producer
E-mail | Blog |
The long ball.
Bernie will take lots of trips down the slide. |
OBP.
Lack of walks led to a lot of solo shots and not enough runs to overcome inconsistent pitching. |
Rickie Weeks.
He needs to get on base to set up chances for Fielder and Braun to drive in runs.
|
Ben Sheets.
He's the only Brewers' pitcher who can limit a losing streak, critical in a division race.
|
90-72.
If the starters can consistently pitch six innings and the pen works, the Crew could win more. |
