The Milwaukee Brewers were not expected to repeat last year’s success that culminated in a 90-72 record and a Wild Card berth. However, forty five games into the 2009 season, the Brewers are clicking, holding a one game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. I am running short on time, so in twenty five questions, or roster players, let’s take a look at what the Brewers have done this year and what lies ahead. Here are twenty five questions for the Brewers:
1)Craig Counsell has filled in nicely as a utility player for Ken Macha’s squad this year, but how many good innings can he play on those knees?
2)After trade rumors swirled in the off-season, Mike Cameron is enjoying his best year by far with the Brewers, but will his hot start hold up?
3)J.J. Hardyhas been stellar in the field this year, but will his bat pick up enough to keep Alcides Escobar down?
4)It seems as though Yovani Gallardo is quickly becoming an ace for the Brew Crew as he holds a 4-2 record with a 3.32 ERA, but will he be up to the challenge of throwing countless innings into October?
5)Jorge Julio has eaten good innings for the Brewers, but will he ever be good enough to be used in a non-blowout role?
6)When Rickie Weeks went down for the year,Casey McGehee stepped in and has played very well as a stopgap at second base, but how long will his run last?
7)Trevor Hoffman has been as good as he can be, but will he wear down over the course of the year?
8)The new-comer Jody Gerutgives the Brewers a good glove in the field and a left handed bat off the bench, but can he give Ken Macha a good start every now and then?
Prince Fielder is having an outstanding year for the Brew Crew. Can he keep it up?
9)Prince Fielder has trimmed down his weight but beefed up his numbers, as he is second in the National League in RBI’s and walks. Will his average be good enough all year to warrant the walks?
10)Braden Looper started off the year blazing hot but should we believe his April (2-0, 2.46 ERA) or May (2-3, 6.04 ERA) stats?
11)Last year’s All Star Corey Hart has really struggled at the plate this year, but can he regain his plate discipline he had at the beginning of the year?
12)Dave Bush has been the second best pitcher for the Brewers and ranks tenth in the National League with a 1.11 WHIP, but will he ever pick up his performance on the road?
13)No one calls a better game than Jason Kendall, but is he going to be an automatic out all year?
14)Mark DiFelice is one of the main reasons why the Brewers have the third best bullpen ERA in the majors (3.51) as he sports a 1.31 ERA in 20.2 innings, but can he keep it up?
15)Recently called up veteran Frank Catalanottowill add good depth to a young Brewers ball club, but how much use will he actually get?
16)Ryan Braun has done everything asked of him and more and is the main key to the Brewers’ success at the plate this year, but will his continued antics get him a fastball to the noggin?
17)Carlos Villanueva has a rough start to the year in the closer’s role but has settled down since, sporting a 1.63 ERA in the month of May. The question becomes then will he ever pitch in the clutch?
18)Breaking out of a 1-28 slump with a game-winning RBI single today, Bill Hallwill hopefully rebound from a terrible start thus far, but how close is Mat Gamel to starting?
19)Todd Coffey is still mowing down hitters with a 2.95 ERA, but did he lose most of his value when Trevor Hoffman came back?
20)Manny Parra’s stats do not completely do him justice as he has had five quality starts this year, but will those bad starts go away?
21)Mat Gamel has the bat to be the future five-hitter for the Brewers, but will his glove always be an issue?
No one seems to be talking about Milwaukee's Mitch Stetter as a great lefty-killer.
22)Very quietly, Mitch Stetter is killing lefties (.115 BAA), but can he control the amount of walks he gives up?
23)Seth McClung has given good innings for the Brewers, but will he succeed if called upon to start?
24)Jeff Suppan has been more consistent of late, but is his age starting to catch up to him?
25)Dubbed Dave Bush’s personal catcher, will Mike Rivera ever be more than a back-up?
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