Land of Confusion

The title of the 1986 hit song from the super group Genesis seems very appropriate to describe the state of the Brewers and their fans this evening after a number of troubling events took place. First, Ryan Braun missed another game due to his ailing back which is related to the nagging intercostal strain he developed late last year and re-emerged while playing in the World Baseball Classic this Spring. This could be a season long problem, and that would be devastating for the Brewers. Does anyone remember how poorly Braun played down the stretch last year? Hopefully that is not a sign of things to come.

With Braun out (he didn't even travel with the team, instead he had an MRI which apparently showed no structural damage), manager Ken Macha made an interesting move to fill the void in left field by placing every day third baseman Bill Hall there. Prior to last year, Hall had been a jack-of-all-trades for the Crew playing numerous infield and outfield positions (was the Brewers everyday centerfielder in 2007). However, some speculated that Hall's lack of a permanent position contributed to his troubles at the plate. Last season, Hall platooned with Russell "the Muscle" Branyan, due to the fact that he struggled against right-handed pitching. This off-season, however, Hall got into great shape, had Lasik surgery on his eyes, and vowed to have a stellar season playing full-time at third.

Although hindsight is 20/20, I disagreed with the decision to place Hall in left field. Hall has been contributing tremendously this year both offensively and defensively at the hot corner. I am sure this maneuver was just a short-term fix, but I for one wouldn't mess at all with Hall's fragile psyche. Remember last year when Hall was talking to the media and requesting a trade? He claimed he had done everything the Brewers asked of him, and many of those things seemed detrimental to his long-term value and marketability. I just hope that this experiment doesn't cause Hall to backslide into his old ways.

Another reason Ken Macha may have made this move was to get some playing time for Spring Training masher, Casey McGehee. Claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs in late October of 2008, McGehee tore up the Cactus League batting .339 in 26 games with 20 hits, 6 home runs, and 16 RBI's. McGehee played so well that the Brewers cut Mike Lamb who they had picked up last year from the Twins. It was almost a certainty that Lamb was going to platoon with Hall at third base due to his defense and left-handed bat, but the Brewer's brass obviously weren't able to ignore McGehee's stick. McGehee even spent time at second base during Spring Training in case things didn't materialize with Rickie Weeks (and we all know how well Rickie is materializing...WOW!). With Hall and Weeks playing so well, McGehee has seen little playing time at all.

Well, as luck would have it, Hall got injured in the bottom of the first inning, diving for a sinking liner. Hopefully it is nothing serious, but I do know he missed 29 days in Spring Training with a calf injury.

So, where do the Brewers stand? Braun is injured (although he flew to Pittsburgh and blooped a 2-run double to tie the game in the 8th inning) and is probably playing at a mere 80% or so. Hall could also miss some time with this new ailment. Gallardo wasn't himself today, but he did throw a quality start (at least 6 IP and 3 earned runs or less). I hope that these blips on the radar screen don't derail the continuity and momentum the Brewers have developed recently. They are on fire.

The Brewers win 7-4 over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park

Notes:

-The Brewers have beaten the Pirates 16 straight times
-Trevor Hoffman recorded his 4th save as a Brewer and has yet to give up a run for Milwaukee
-Unlike last year, the Brewers seem to be able to come from behind and win
-Matt LaPorta had his first hit with the Cleveland Indians, a 2-run homerun in the 7th

BCBB