The Milwaukee Brewers Early Season Struggles

The Milwaukee Brewers started the 2014 season with a record of 21-7 that put the Crew in first place for most of the season. But a rough September saw the Brewers collapse and eventually fall out of first place in the NL Central division. The Brewers finished 2014 with 82 wins and missed the playoffs. They desperately needed a starting first baseman heading into the offseason. They got their man when they traded pitcher Marco Estrada to the Toronto Blue Jays for slugging 1B/outfielder Adam Lind. The Brewers never really did anything the rest of the offseason, besides bringing back veteran closer Fransisco Rodriguez on a one year deal. The Brewers were expected to contend in the 2015 season with a solid pitching rotation led by veterans Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza. Their lineup was expected to be stacked with guys like Ryan Braun, Carlos Gomez, Aramis Ramirez, Scooter Gennett, Jonathan Lucroy, and the addition of Adam Lind. But injuries to Gennett, Gomez, and Ramirez have hurt the Brewers offensively. The Brewers pitching has struggled to get guys out consistenly. Ryan Braun still acts like the thumb injury that slowed him down in 2014 is still bothering him this season. The Brewers came into today's game with an MLB worst 2-13 record, good for last place in the NL Central division and eight games behind the division leading St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers host the Cardinals this weekend for a three game set, and a chance to cut into their eight game gap with the Cardinals. If the Brewers are going to turn this awful start around, they need Ryan Braun to hit like the old Ryan Braun. They need the pitching to start making the right pitches to get guys out. And finally, they need to stay healthy. Whether or not the Brewers turn this season is yet to be seen, but the good news for the Brewers is that it's only April.   -Jared Pate