The 2009 Milwaukee Brewers by the Numbers

After a memorable 2008 season that saw the Milwaukee Brewers make the Playoffs for the first time since 1982, expectations for the 2009 season were mixed.

Many people thought the Brewers wouldn't have enough pitching to make a return trip, while others thought their bats would carry them to the promised land for a second straight year.

The Brewers are about to begin a nine-game home stand that will see them try and regain first place after being overtaken by the St. Louis Cardinals.

20

20 represents the number of wins by the Brewers on the road so far this season. Only the Dodgers and Phillies have won more games on the road in all of baseball than the Brewers.

Jeff Suppan has contributed four of his five wins away from Miller Park. If the Brewers can remain road warriors, there is no doubt they will be in the hunt for the playoffs come October.

14-12

14-12 was the final score in the Brewers' victory over the Cleveland Indians on June 15. The Brewers twice rallied from a five-run deficit, and Prince Fielder's first career grand slam was the decisive blow.

The Brewers' bats need to remain hot throughout the rest of the season especially with the way the pitching has been struggling as of late.

.213

JJ Hardy has shown in the past he is capable of being an All-Star player. Everyone is still waiting for Hardy to show those capabilities in 2009.

Hardy is batting only .213 with six home runs on the season. He has also become the topic of trade rumors. Prospect Alcides Escobar is a better defensive player and has finally found his stroke at Nashville.

Don't look for Hardy to be traded or Escobar to be called up. Hardy is a very talented player, and he should rebound in the second half.

49

49 is the number of Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers' ace. Gallardo had a ton of expectations coming into the season trying to replace CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. To this point, Gallardo has not disappointed.

Gallardo is 7-4, with a 3.00 ERA, and has struck out 93 batters in 90 innings. He's also belted two home runs. Look for Gallardo to make an appearance in St. Louis as well for his first All-Star game appearance.

7.52

7.52 is the horrendous ERA of Manny Parra. Thanks to Parra's outings, the Brewers are in second place instead of being in first place by a comfortable margin.

Parra was sent back to Nashville to try and find his control and confidence. If he can find both, he will be a big boost to a staff that has recently lost their way.

.299, 17 HR, 67 RBI; .320, 15 HR, 50 RBI

Those are the stat lines of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, respectively. There is no doubt where the offense for the Brewers comes from.

Fielder and Braun are both likely to make it to St. Louis for the All-Star game in July. Expect the two to continue to put up big numbers and each should be in the running for the MVP award at the end of the season.

1.31

Trevor Hoffman has been a hammer in the Brewers' bullpen. While many critics said he was too old to still be a successful closer, Hoffman has shown he's still capable of being an All-Star.

Hoffman has a 1.31 ERA in 21 games and 16 saves in 17 chances. He has only walked three batters and allowed three runs to score in 20-2/3 innings. Hell's Bells has come to Milwaukee and has never sounded better.

2nd

The Brewers currently sit in second place behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers are accustomed to residing in second place in the NL Central, but they have shown they are capable of being division champs.

For that to happen, Braun, Fielder, Gallardo, and Hoffman will need help. The Cardinals are a first place team because they get contributions from every player on their 25-man roster. It's time for every player on the Brewers to step up and make their presence known.