Brewers

Fresh off the All-Star break the Brewers face the ever-confusing/confused Rockies for a four game series at home.

Fresh off a refreshing split against the competent Cardinals, how can the Crew fare against their neighbors to the North and one league over?

For the second time already this season, a Milwaukee Brewers player has been suspended for 80 games following a positive PED test. JC Mejia will miss the nearly three months of games and be ineligible to compete in the 2022 playoffs. 

Following his spot start against the Minnesota Twins yesterday, Milwaukee optioned starter Ethan Small back to Triple-A Nashville. In his place, reliever Peter Strzelecki was recalled. Both Jake Cousins and Justin Topa continued rehab assignments as well.

Five years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers used defensive shifts as much as any team in baseball. Under the 2023 MLB rules changes, though, they shouldn’t suffer much, because they’ve phased out shifting as a primary run prevention tool over the last two seasons. It's one way they've stayed ahead of the pace of change in baseball, even as that pace has quickened.

Five Gold Gloves. In a row. Let's add in 115 taters during that span. Plus we can tack on one of the best nicknames in team history. That can only mean this week’s throwback is about former Brewer slugger George 'Boomer' Scott.

Finding a productive, long-term option at third base is essential for the Milwaukee Brewers to create consistent offensive success. The free agent market and trade block lacks tried-and-true bats at the hot corner, meaning GM Matt Arnold likely needs to take a chance via trade for a young, unproven third baseman.

Fernando Vina was not a big man - 5’9” and 170 pounds - and thus lacked power. He had a good glove and thus profiled as a light-hitting utility infielder - except for one thing - his mediocre arm limited him to second base. For a guy like Vina - that is often a professional death sentence. Luckily for Vina, he got a chance to play every day in the majors with Milwaukee - and in time, he developed into a quality contact hitter - which enabled him to carve out a successful 12-year career.

February 4 is 54 days away from Opening Day on March 30. Jake Cousins wears #54 when he's pitching out of the Brewers' bullpen.

Let's review Cousins' recent performance and see how things look for 2023.

Father Time appears to be taking its toll on Milwaukee Brewers' center fielder Lorenzo Cain. The 36-year-old veteran looks like a shell of his former self at the plate, and the club may have to make a difficult decision soon.

Fans, experts, and others around baseball see the 2022 Milwaukee Brewers as a genuine contender for a World Series title. Typically when a club finds its way to the top of the game, it is the beneficiary of some tremendous performances - from both individuals and the team. Predicting a championship would be the ultimate bold prediction, but we'll save that possibility for another article.

Fans need to hear it yearly, so here is your friendly reminder: the MLB season is incredibly long, allowing for varying degrees of challenging stretches. The 2022 Milwaukee Brewers' schedule is shifting in their favor after a grueling couple of months.