2011 MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

9 Innings Blog will be bringing you previews of every Major League Baseball team for the next 30 days. This is in accordance with our 30 teams in 30 days series. Today, we will be bringing you the 2011 preview of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers are looking to catch a wave that will ride them back into the playoffs.

The Brewers had an okay year last season finishing in third place in the NL Central division behind the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. They finished with a 77-85 record under manager Ken Macha.

Following their third place finish, Macha was fired by the Brewers and replaced with Ron Roenicke who spent 2010 as the Angels assistant coach to Mike Scioscia and even picked up four wins as an interim manager when Scioscia was suspended.

Then, the Brewers made a big splash landing former Royals ace Zack Greinke for prospects as well as acquiring former Blue Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum for infield prospect Brett Lawrie. The Brewers are making it known that they have a pretty decent team and could make a run in the NL Central this season.

Then again, Greinke has a rib injury and will miss apart of the season. Do they have what it takes to win the central? Maybe. Do I think they will win? No.

Key Addition: Zack Greinke, RHP

Breakout Player: Shaun Marcum, RHP

Prediction: Third NL Central

Starters
CA: Jonathan Lucroy
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
3B: Casey McGehee
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
OF: Corey Hart
OF: Ryan Braun
OF: Carlos Gomez

Pitching Rotation
SP: Yovani Gallardo
SP: Shaun Marcum
SP: Randy Wolf
SP: Chris Narveson
SP: Wily Peralta

RP: Manny Parra
RP: Sean Green
RP: Zack Braddock
RP: Kameron Loe
RP: Takashi Saito
RP: LaTroy Hawkins
CP: John Axford

Bench
CA: Wil Nieves
UTL: Mark Kotsay
INF: Craig Counsell
INF: Luis Cruz
OF: Chris Dickerson

Top Prospects
1). Mark Rogers, RHP
2). Cody Scarpetta, RHP
3). Wily Peralta, RHP
4). Kentrail Davis, OF
5). Scooter Gennett, 2B