Milwaukee Brewers: Key Roadblocks Must be Overcome in 2008

The Milwaukee Brewers had a breakout season last year. 

They finished with an 83-79 record; just two games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. So what do they have to do to get over that hump? 

First of all, they must stay healthy. Brewers’ ace, Ben Sheets, has had an injury-plagued career, but when healthy, Sheets is one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball. 

Sheets, who was an All-Star last year, looks to stay healthy and help the Brewers get to the playoffs for the first time since 1982, when the Brewers lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Staying within the pitching staff, the Brewers lost top closer Francisco Cordero to the Cincinnati Reds. However, they did pick up former All-Star Eric Gagne, who is expected to be the closer in 2008. 

Other pitchers looking to have big seasons are Yovani Gallardo, Dave Bush, and Jeff Suppan. Chris Capuano had a disappointing 2007 season, but is expected to be back in the rotation.

The Brewers’ defense is another area where they must improve. 

They were near the bottom of the national league in total defense. They do have talent and have mixed things up a bit in the field. 

Milwaukee moved young slugger Ryan Braun to left field while moving Bill Hall back to the infield at third base, where he will most likely be more comfortable. 

A big pickup for the Brewers is centerfielder Mike Cameron. Cameron has always been a great defensive centerfielder and the Brewers are looking forward to him contributing in 2008. 

One bright spot on defense for the Brewers, however, is J.J. Hardy.  Hardy was second in the National League among shortstops in fielding percentage, behind only Colorado Rockies rookie Troy Tulowitzki. 

One final improvement the Brewers must make is their play away from Miller Park. Milwaukee’s pitching wasn't the same away from home last season. While the Brewers were 51-30 at Miller Park, they were only 32-49 on the road.  

One thing that has kept the Brewers competitive the past few seasons is their great offense, which is anchored by MVP-runner-up Prince Fielder. Fielder set a Brewers record, hitting 50 home runs in 2007. Braun, the 2007 rookie of the year, showed his power last season hitting 34 home runs after joining the club six weeks into the season. Hardy also hit 26 home runs last year. 

The Brewers’ lineup will look a little different this year, adding Cameron and Jason Kendall, but they will still look to be one of the top offenses in Major League Baseball.

The Brewers and skipper Ned Yost look to break into the playoffs in 2008 by improving their defense, improving on the road, and also staying healthy throughout the season. 

Milwaukee has an amazing young lineup and now has some experience in making a run at the end of the season. These Brewers have a lot of fight in them and they do not want to be denied the playoffs again in 2008.