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Milwaukee Brewers Season Predictions | 2013 Season Betting Preview

2013 MLB Team Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers finished 83-79 in 2012 after a 96-66 record in 2011 and even though they lost Prince Fielder to the Tigers their offense was solid and they ranked 3rd in the Majors in runs scored.

Odds to Win National League Pennant: 51.00
Odds to Win World Series: 21.00

Key Additions:

LHP Michael Gonzalez, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Burke Badenhop, RHP Kelvim Escobar, IF Bobby Crosby, 3B Donnie Murphy

Key Subtractions:

LHP Manny Parra, RHP Fautino De Los Santos, RHP Livan Hernandez, RHP Jose Veras, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP Kameron Loe, RHP Shaun Marcum, OF Nyjer Morgan, 1B Travis Ishikawa, C Yorvit Torrealba

The pitching was the reason the Brewers did not make the playoffs last season and for them to get back to the post-season they need some young arms to step up.

Let`s take a look at the Milwaukee offense.  

Projected batting order

  • C: Jonathan Lucroy (.320 AVG/.368 OBP/.513 SLG)
  • 1B: Hunter Morris (.303/.357/.563)
  • 2B: Rickie Weeks (.230/.328/.400)
  • 3B: Aramis Ramirez (.300/.360/.540)
  • SS: Jean Sequra (.264/.321/.331)
  • LF: Ryan Braun (.319/.391/.595)
  • CF: Carlos Gomez (.260/.305/.463)
  • RF: Norichika Aoki (.288/.355/.433)

Corey Hart will begin the season on the DL and when he returns the offense should be great. Last season the Brewers scored the most runs in the National League and they led the NL with 202 HR. The offense is led by Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez and Hart had 30 HR last season. Their offense should be downright scary if Rickie Weeks can rebound from a sub-par season and on top of all the power they have they had the most stolen bases in the NL last season.

How much speed do they have? Well all 3 outfielders had at least 30 stolen bases last season and they should terrorize opposing catchers this season. Jonathan Lucroy had 12 HR in only 95 at bats last season and Hunter Morris will have to fill in while Hart is out.

Let`s take a look at the Milwaukee pitching.   [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Projected rotation

  • 1. Yovani Gallardo (16-9, 3.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
  • 2. Marco Estrada (5-7, 3.64, 1.14)
  • 3. Wily Peralta (2-1, 2.48, 1.21)
  • 4. Michael Fiers (9-10, 3.74, 1.26)
  • 5. Mark Rogers (3-1, 3.90, 1.28)
  • 6. Chris Narveson (1-1, 7.00, 1.56)

Projected bullpen

  • Closer: Jonathan Axford (R) (5-8, 35 SV, 3 HLD, 9 BLSV, 4.67 ERA, 1.44 WHIP)
  • Tom Gorzelanny (L) (4-2, 1 SV, 9 HLD, 0 BLSV, 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)
  • Michael Gonzalez (L) (0-0, 0 SV, 7 HLD, 0 BLSV, 3.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)
  • Jim Henderson (R) (1-3, 3 SV, 15 HLD, 4 BLSV 3.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP)
  • Burke Bandenhop (R) (3-2, 0 SV, 5 HLD, 0 BLSV, 3.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)
  • Brandon Kintzler (R) (3-0, 0 SV, 2 HLD, 0 BLSV, 3.78 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
  • Jesus Sanchez (R) (4-1, 0 SV, unknown HLD, unknown BLSV, 1.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP)
  • Josh Stinson (R) (0-0, 0 SV, 0 HLD, 0 BLSV, 0.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)

Yovani Gallardo led the Brewers with 16 wins on the season and he is the Ace of the staff. He is a legit #1 guy, but for the Brewers to get to the playoffs they will need the starters of Marco Estrada and Wily Peralta to pitch well. Michael Fiers had a good rookie campaign and Mark Rodgers is a young arm that will get some starts.

The main problem with the Brewers’ pitching last season was their bullpen and they led the NL with 29 blown saves. Closer Jonathan Axford was great a couple of seasons ago, but really struggled last season. He will have to regain form or he will be replaced quickly. They lost a lot of arms in the bullpen and the new guys are a question mark. Ex Washington P Tom Gorzelanny may be the setup man and he was solid last season for the Nationals.

2013 Milwaukee Brewers Prediction:

The Brewers have the offense, but will their pitching hold up? Last season they only ranked 22nd in the Majors in team ERA and that may be their Achilles Heel this season. While the Brewers do not have to deal with the Houston Astros in the NL Central any longer, they are now in the AL West, the Reds, Cardinals, and Pirates are all legit teams this season. The Cardinals may have to be the team they worry about since they have such a great offense.

The Brewers will finish the season with a winning record, but their pitching will hold them back. They did not upgrade their rotation enough and while they have talented young arms in the rotation it will not be enough. Look for the Brew Crew to be a good team, but just not good enough to make the playoffs.

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By Jason Green

Jason Green is back with Cappers Picks again to give out his free sports plays. As always he's hoping the Braves and Redskins can win a championship since their last one in the 90’s was long ago. He’s starting to know the pain of Cubs fans.