The Time Is Now for the Crew's Pitching Staff

If the Brewers hope to make a strong playoff run, it comes down to one thing.  That thing is pitching. 

Most people thought that the Brewers' starting rotation would be the weakness of the organization, and it's beginning to look like that might be just the case.  Earlier today, the Brewers organization put Dave Bush on the DL with right forearm tightness.  Before that designation, the Brewers were running a four-man rotation, with none of the starters looking as good as they did earlier in the season. 

The Brewers have been on a slide the last three to four weeks, and it can likely be blamed on our starting rotation.  Yovani Gallardo has been pitching well, but the Crew just don't seem capable of giving him some run support.  The other three starters (Looper, Suppan, and Bush) have been dismal in their previous three or four starts respectively.  And I don't see the solution to be found in our farm system. 

The bullpen has been overused the last few weeks because we can't seem to get anything more than five innings out of any of our starters.  The Brewers need to find some extra piece to stabilize the rotation.  They need to go out and find a proven pitcher who can eat up some innings. 

If you've read any of my previous articles or posts, you would know that I'm a huge fan of trading for Peavy or Brad Penny, although Peavy is now on the DL that seems unlikely.  But it doesn't matter who the player is, they need to be able to keep the Brewers in games, and be able to pitch at least six or seven innings consistently. 

Doug Melvin needs to make a decision and make it fast if he wants the Brewers to remain a top contender in the NL Central come the All-Star Break.