Brewers in first

[Frijolito]

The brewers are tied for first place. First time since early april. This season feels totally different from last. last year we had the great start then struggled. Everybody was kinda waiting for us to choke and we did. This year feels alot different. We entered this year with an "anything less than a playoff berth is a disappointment" attitude. We got off to a bad start and there was alot of rumors about Yost job and such. We got hot, have made a couple of deals and we are the talk of baseball right now. I feel we are destined for the playoffs and am dreaming of a world championship. Big series starting monday against the Cubs. I am obvioudly biased. &these are great times for many Brewers fans, but I was wondering what other people think of our chances this year? Alot of people, even after the CC trade said the cubs were still better. Do people still think that?.

[etothep]

[HoustonGM]

The Cubs are still better. I think that the Cubs will win the division and Milwaukee the Wild Card. I also think that the Brewers have a better shot at going deep into the playoffs once they make it than the Cubs do.

[grasshopper]

I still cant figure out why everyone thinks the Cubs are so great. ESPN wont shut up about it. Outside of a couple bats and pitchers, they are not that good. My opine is that the Brewers are actually better as long as the young players keep it up.

[ohms_law]

Their the "lovable losers".

[RedsoxRockies]

Yay! Milwaukee is way better than Chicago! Go Brew Crew!

[OldFatGuy]

Starting pitching, starting pitching, starting pitching.

Cubs win the division.

[HoustonGM]

I still cant figure out why everyone thinks the Cubs are so great.

Because they are very, very good.

Outside of a couple bats and pitchers, they are not that good.

They are second in the majors with 540 runs scored. They are tenth in the majors in fewest runs allowed with 433. They are first in the majors in run differential, having outscored their opponents by 107 runs.

They have a team OPS+ of 110 and an ERA+ of 117.

A "couple" bats? I count their entire starting lineup as being above average hitters. A "couple" pitchers? I see 3 great (this year) pitchers - Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden. I see two league-average pitchers - Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis. I see a very good closer - Kerry Wood - and a very good setup man - Carlos Marmol.

Yeah, um, this is one of the best teams in the league.

The Brewers are up there too, but they have more holes than the Cubs. They've been getting poor production from catcher, second base, and third base. Their bullpen is shakier. The top 3 of their rotation matches up rather evenly to the Cubs, maybe slightly better, but Suppan/Bush/McClung are worse than Lilly/Marquis.

[OldFatGuy]

Wow, I'm seeing Semarnja (unsure of spelling) for the first time. If there was any question about this kid, you can put it to rest.

This guy throws in the mid 90's, his fastball has natural movement left to right (great against lefties) of a good 3 inches, and he just threw two of the nastiest splitters I've seen since the heyday of Gagne when he was so dominant. Made Hanley Ramirez look like me.

No, I'm not suggesting this is the next Gagne, but this kid has got the STUFF. Man, that's as impressed as I've been with young pitcher lately. Great, great stuff, and good control. The only drawback I've seen in the two times I've seen him pitch is that nasty splitter isn't consistent yet, he's left a couple of them up and straight.

Wow, but man this kid looks good. Wasn't he a good college football player too?? Notre Dame or someone else??

EDIT: And, oh BTW, it looks like the Cubs are back in first place alone, though the Brewers game isn't over yet.

[HoustonGM]

Receiver for Notre Dame. Underwhelming minor league stats though.

[OldFatGuy]

Receiver for Notre Dame. Underwhelming minor league stats though.

Yeah, that's it. That first good year that new coach had with them right?

[HoustonGM]

No idea. Don't follow football, college or otherwise. lol

[etothep]

Yeah, that's it. That first good year that new coach had with them right?

only good year they've had under Weiss, and they got hammered in their bowl game

[RedsoxRockies]

Receiver for Notre Dame. Underwhelming minor league stats though.

Veeery Over Rated

[Reade]

Veeery Over Rated

As a pitcher or college receiver? He was a very good college receiver but wouldn't make much of a pro receiver, he would have been a better TE if he added some weight. In college he could use his height to a big advantage, but his lack of speed would kill him in the NFL.

Underwhelming minor league stats though.

Minor league stats don't mean everything when it comes to development of players. There's been ton of players who put up great minor league numbers who never make it in the pros and there are guys who played terrible in the minors but blossomed in the pros