Milwaukee Brewers by Marc Normandin

Would I put money on them finishing ahead of the Cardinals? No. No, I would not. But they’re in third place in these predictions because a) I’m tired of making obvious predictions, and you know there will be a surprise or five mixed somewhere in here, and b) it’s a good way to point out how exciting the Brewers’ young lineup is.

There are six Brewers hitters that would keep me in my seat when it was time to buy a beer. Six! We might find out early that Eric Thames left his power in Korea, which would make five hitters, and we might find out that Domingo Santana and Orlando Arcia still aren’t ready, which would leave us with three, and it’s not like Jonathan Villar and Keon Broxton are perennial All-Stars with a rich legacy of success, which could leave just one hitter worth a dang, and that guy will turn 34 in November.

Then the rotation ambles along and reminds you just how chockful of Matt Garza it is.

So, no, they probably aren’t a threat to the Cubs, and putting them ahead of the Cardinals is a better trolling effort than a prediction. But for a team that was floundering in the void, they’ve made a nice comeback into the land of the watchable. As soon as they prove they can develop a pitcher or two, they’ll be the hot, trendy team to pick when you get tired of the Cubs.

“As soon as they prove they can develop a pitcher or two,” is baseball-ese for, “As soon as I get my first million dollars, I’ll get this idea off the ground,” so maybe don’t pre-write the article about the Brewers getting back to the NLCS. But I’m a sucker for a good rebuilding story, and the Brewers look like they have one.