Story Created:
May 18, 2009
Story Updated:
May 21, 2009
Next game: Wednesday, April 8th at San Francisco
Brewers Gameday with the Jockey Pregame Show at 8:30 p.m. on Newsradio 620 WTMJ
If the Milwaukee Brewers hope to repeat their 2008 playoff run, they'll need to get more out of the current pitching staff than they got last year.
It's a reshuffled starting five, with often-injured Yovani Gallardo being asked to take up the slack of the now-departed CC Sabathia, who went to the New York Yankees as a free agent.
Of course, there's also the loss of Ben Sheets to, well, the Roger Clemens-style waiting game.
| Pitcher |
Vitals |
2008 |
Synopsis |
Dave Bush #31 |
RHP: No. 2 Starter
6-2, 205
Age: 29 |
9-10, 4.18 ERA, 109 K, 48 BB |
Sorgi: As long as he's within the confines of Miller Park, he's one dominating pitcher. In the midpoint of 2008, the Brewers went 9-2 at home in his starts while going 3-6 on the road in the same stretch.
Welter: Bring your strong finish in 2008 to every start. More
|
Yovani Gallardo #49 |
LHP: No. 1 Starter
6-2, 220
Age: 30 |
0-0, 1.88 ERA, 20 K, 8 BB |
Sorgi: If "Hell's Bells" predicates Trevor Hoffman's appearances out of the bullpen, then Billy Joel's "Pressure" should be the theme for Gallardo. A promising but unproven pitcher is coming off an injury-plagued 2008. He'll have to be a plague to other team's batters if Milwaukee wants to contend.
Welter: Time to live up to the hype. More
|
Braden Looper #41 |
RHP: No. 5 Starter
6-3, 235
Age: 34 |
12-14, 4.94 ERA, 108 K, 45 BB |
Sorgi: Looper seemed to be Jeff Suppan revisited as a sometimes great, often mediocre pitcher over his career, and Milwaukee picked him up later in his career. I'm not sure what to expect out of him, but for a playoff run, he'll need to dramatically step up from '08 in St. Louis.
Welter: Try not to get rocked every other start. More
|
Manny Parra #26 |
LHP: No. 4 Starter
6-3, 210
Age: 26 |
10-8, 4.30 ERA, 147 K, 75 BB |
Ganzer: Will Parra be able to handle the high level of expectation that has been put on him? If he can stay focused and grounded, he will be a factor come October.
Welter: Man up and get some stamina to keep the playoff hopes alive. More
|
Jeff Suppan #37 |
RHP: No. 3 Starter
6-2, 235
Age: 34 |
10-10, 4.96 ERA, 90 K, 67 BB |
Ganzer: Suppan was a leader in the clubhouse last season. He needs to show the same level of leadership on the field this season.
Welter: Can we take some of his millions and build a time machine that can bring back the 2006 version of Suppan? More
|
