Milwaukee Brewers Dream 2022 Opening Day Lineup

Brewers fans love critiquing lineup decisions by manager Craig Counsell. It’s been a time-honored tradition by fans for decades, despite Counsell and many others asserting that the specific order doesn’t really matter that much.

Things generally have a way of working out just fine for Counsell and the Crew with his lineup decisions as games go along, and that’s why he’s been so successful as manager of the Brewers.

Still, that won’t stop fans from deciding ahead of time what the perfect lineup for any given game is going to be. While we’re still in the offseason and a lockout, let’s dream about being able to argue about lineups again. Let’s discuss what the dream 2022 starting lineup will be for Opening Day this year, which will set the tone for the rest of the season.

What should the Milwaukee Brewers perfect starting lineup look like for Opening Day 2022?

Batting 1st: Kolten Wong, 2B

Last year, the Brewers signed Kolten Wong to a two-year contract to solidify the second base position defensively, and provide a spark at the top of the order. Wong perfectly filled both roles.

Wong had a career season in 2021, hitting .272 with career highs in doubles (32) and homers (14). He was routinely on base, getting things started for the Brewers offense. Wong also supplied seven leadoff home runs in 2021, giving the Crew a quick score, something they were desperately missing in 2020.

There is no better candidate to hit leadoff in the dream 2022 lineup, as the Brewers haven’t added anyone who can fit that role and Wong is still under contract. Now 2022 is the final guaranteed year of Wong’s deal, but the Brewers do have a $10MM club option on him for 2023, so he can still return for another year. Provided Wong continues to produce like he did in 2021, the Brewers are likely to pick up that option.

Unless Wong has the day off or is otherwise unavailable, expect him to be in the leadoff spot in 2022.