2012 Milwaukee Brewers Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off one of the seasons this franchise has seen in a long time. The Brewers won the NL Central with an impressive 96-66 overall record, but it didn’t translate into a World Series liked they hoped. Milwaukee was able to get past the Diamondbacks in the first round, but lost in six games to the St Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. As expected, Prince Fielder left Milwaukee to sign with the Tigers. However, the team caught a break when Ryan Braun’s 50 game suspension was lifted. Despite the loss of one of their best players (Fielder), there is still enough talent for this team to defend their division title. Here’s a quick look at the Brewers projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation.
Projected Lineup
Jonathan Lucroy (Catcher) – The Brewers are excited about the future of their 25-year-old catcher. Lucroy hit .265 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI in 136 games last year. The power numbers should continue to get better, and his defense is improving. A lot of potential going forward.
Mat Gamel (First Base) -Gamel hit 28 home runs and drove in 98 RBI in the minors last year, but hasn’t exactly translated that success in his limited action in the big leagues. He went just 3 for 26 in 10 games last year, but two of those hits were home runs. If he can step in and hit 20 home runs this year, it would be considered a success.
Rickie Weeks (Second Base) – Weeks is one of the rising stars at second base, and will be counted on to step up with the loss of Fielder. His 2011 season was hampered by an ankle injury, but he still managed to hit 20 home runs with 49 RBI in 113 games. If he can stay healthy, the All-Star has a chance to put up some big time numbers in 2012.
Alex Gonzalez (Shortstop) -Gonzalez was added to improve one of the league’s worst defensive units. He won’t be counted on to do much offensively, he hit just .241 in a 149 games with Atlanta last year, but he has hit 38 home runs over the last two seasons.
Aramis Ramirez (Third Base) – The Brewers are hoping the addition of Ramirez will help ease the loss of Fielder in the middle of the order. When healthy Ramirez is one of the games best hitting third basemen. In 149 games with the Cubs last year he hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI. Could be in for a huge season hitting cleanup behind Braun.
Ryan Braun (Left Field) – The Brewers would have been in trouble if the 2011 MVP had to miss 50 games, but instead they are primed to remain one of the top offensive teams in the National League. Braun is coming off a monster season where he hit .332 with 33 homers, 111 RBI and 33 stolen bases. While he’s likely to have a slight drop off, he should still hit around .310 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI.
Nyjer Morgan (Center Field) -Aside from his off the field antics, Morgan put together a pretty impressive season in 2011. His .304 batting average was second only to Braun, which is exactly what they want to see out of their No. 2 hitter.
Corey Hart (Right Field) – Hart quietly hit .285 with 26 home runs and 63 RBI in a 130 games for the Brewers last year. That gives him 58 homers over the last two seasons. His speed is on the decline, just seven stolen bases each of the last two years, but his power is rare for a leadoff hitter.
Projected Rotation
Yovani Gallardo (RHP) -Gallardo is coming off a career-year in 2011. He set a career-high with 17 wins and while posting career best in ERA (3.52) and WHIP (1.22). He also set a franchise record with a third consecutive season with 200+ strikeouts. Hard to believe the guy turned just 25-years-old in February.
Zack Greinke (RHP) – Greinke came over from the Royals prior to last season and delivered the type of season they were hoping for. The 28-year-old went 16-6 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 28 starts, and was a dominant 9-3 with a 2.61 ERA over his final 16 starts.
Shaun Marcum (RHP) - A lot of people will forget how well Marcum pitched in the regular season after a horrible showing in the playoffs. Marcum went 13-7 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his first season with Milwaukee after coming over from the Blue Jays.
Randy Wolf (LHP) – Wolf is a reliable innings eater at the back of the rotation. He has made at least 33 starts and pitched at least 212 innings in each of the past three seasons. In 33 starts in 2011, Wolf went 13-10 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. It was the fourth straight season he reached the double-digit mark in wins.
Chris Narveson (LHP) -Narveson struggled with consistency. He can come out one night with unhittable stuff and struggle to get a guy out the next time out. He ended up going 11-8 with a 4.45 ERA, which isn’t all that bad for the bottom of the rotation.
Projected Closer
John Axford (RHP) – Axford shined in his first season as the Brewers full-time closer. He converted 46 of 48 save opportunities with an impressive 1.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. With the return of Francisco Rodriguez as the primary set-up man, Milwaukee has one of the best 1-2 punches to finish a game in all of baseball.
| 2012 Milwaukee Brewers Odds | |
| World Series | +2800 |
| NL Pennant | +1400 |
| NL Central | +275 |
| Total Regular Season Wins | O85.5 (-120) |
| U85.5 (-110) |
Over/Under Total Home Runs in the 2012 Regular Season
Ryan Braun – 30.5
Aramis Ramirez – 24.5
Rickie weeks – 24.5
Over/Under Total Wins in the 2012 Regular Season
Yovani Gallardo – 15
Zack Greinke – 14.5
Shaun Marcum – 12
Over/Under Total Saves in the 2012 Regular Season
John Axford – 35.5
MLB Predictions by Team
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