Reviewing the Brew Round-table: Competing This Season

How will the Brewers perform this season? Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Brewers definitely had a down season last year after finishing off the prior two seasons with winning records. In this upcoming season, perhaps we’ll see flashes of the 2011 season.

The question for this week was, “What is one thing the Brewers must capitalize on this season in order to compete?”

Lou Olsen:

“They need to capitalize with runners in scoring position. In 2012 and 2013 the Brewers showed a complete and total inability to drive in runners from 2nd or 3rd. Too often last year we would have a runner on 2nd or 3rd with no outs and not score. If this lineup stays healthy, I think they should improve in this area.  But if they want to hang with the Cardinals, Reds, and (dare I say) the Pirates…they are gonna have to capitalize on those situations.”

Ryan Connor:

“The Brewers will have to capitalize on a number of things to compete. They must take advantage of the Cubs. While they will be contenders in a few years, they’re still a poor Major League team. We should also expect some regression from both the Pirates and the Reds, so if the Brewers can perform well against those two we should be in the race for the second wild card (assuming ATL/WAS runs away with the first).”

David Grant:

“This year, timely hitting with runners on base will be a key to success. Let’s face it, there is a lot of power on this team, there are also a lot of potential strikeouts and fly balls. Leading MLB in solo home runs is not necessarily a good thing. The 2014 Brewers must practice patience at the plate and move teammates around the bases, or hit 400 solo shots.”

Justin Schultz:

“They need the back of the rotation, along with Yovani Gallardo, to step it up. Both Marco Estrada and Wily Peralta showed flashes of brilliance in 2013, but they were never able to sustain it. Overall, they had average to below-average seasons, while Gallardo looked lost most of the year. If the Brewers expect to compete for a playoff spot, they’ll need to perform up to their capabilities.”

Benjamin Orr:

“Manager Ron Roenicke needs to do one thing and one thing only (besides the bunting) and that is trust his starters. More often than not, the starters, really aside from Kyle Lohse and occasionally Marco Estrada/Wily Peralta, only went five innings. This may be due to having nothing left in the tank, but the starters need to go longer into games. The Brewers have a fine offense and a solid bullpen, so if the starters can turn it around (and with Matt Garza I think they will), they’ll be formidable in 2014.”

That’s what we had to say about the topic this week, how about you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.