Strange Daze In Milwaukee Brewers Opener

Game No. 1 of the Milwaukee Brewers' 2009 season was a bizarre affair, for sure. 

Four hit batters in the first three innings, 13 walks between the two teams, the reigning Cy Young Award winner leaving the game before the fourth inning after throwing 78 pitches, and Mike Cameron walking four times (leaving him only 50 behind last year's total), were the highlights (if you will) of Tuesday's 10-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

On the other hand, most Brewers followers would have to admit that this game may be a microcosm of things to come. The offense looked quite good, although 26 men left on base and 11 strikeouts left a few blemishes on the box score. For the most part, they seemed patient at the plate (eight walks, the high pitch count), and aggressive on the bases (stolen bases from Weeks, Braun, and Cameron). 

The largest "X-factor" entering the season was the pitching staff, and Jeff Suppan's performance did nothing to alter that belief.  He never got on a roll and was struggling throughout. The triple to Travis Ishikawa in the first inning was on the screws and the home run to Aaron Rowand in the fourth was similarly crushed.

Despite being the Opening Day starter, Suppan is clearly the fifth-best option in the rotation, and should only be used for 24-25 starts this season as the schedule starts to break up.

One issue that bothers me already is the decision to bat Corey Hart second and place JJ Hardy in the fifth spot after Prince Fielder. In particular, Hardy took off last year when he was moved into the second position in the order. Yesterday's 0-5 with 2 GIDPs will not help his confidence, which is clearly predicated on his position in the lineup. 

This Brewers squad will be improved on offense, will have wildly inconsistent pitching, and will basically be in every game, for better or worse. 

Sometimes, it's OK to read too much into the first game of 162. Yesterday's opener may have been one of those times.