2022 Brewers Optimism Thread!

[Dragonbait]

I haven't see it started yet... So I'm going to create it... saw this over at CBS Sports: (My emphasis in bold/italics)

 

22. The Brewers will beat the Astros in the World Series

Do I love Milwaukee's offense? No. Hunter Renfroe is a big offensive upgrade over Jackie Bradley Jr. without being a big defensive downgrade, and surely Christian Yelich will get his slugging percentage back over .400, right? Even then, it feels like the offense's ceiling is pretty good rather than great, and offenses like that can get exposed (like in the NLDS last year).

That said, the pitching is great, and the offense only needs to be great for a few weeks in October. Who saw Eddie Rosario having the best month of his career last postseason, or Jorge Soler socking clutch homer after clutch homer? Weird things happen in October. Get in and you can win. The Braves showed that last year and this year I'm boldly predicting the Brewers do the same.

As for the Astros, letting Carlos Correa leave is a significant loss -- Jeremy Peña could have a Rookie of the Year season and still be a multi-win downgrade because Correa is that good -- though they're still very good and I would not want to face them in a short postseason series. They still have six great hitters plus a (hopefully healthy) Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr.

For my final bold prediction, I have the Brewers winning the first World Series championship in franchise history, and the Astros losing the World Series for the second straight year and the third time in the last four years. This sport can be cruel. As for a World Series MVP pick, how about Rowdy Tellez? When in doubt, pick the dude named Rowdy.

Baseball has not had a repeat champion since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000. With all due respect to the Braves, I don't see that streak ending this year. Milwaukee will be title town come October.

 

[nate82]

I think the Brewers win 90 games and run away with the division by August.  Keith Law agrees with the win amount.

 

From The Athletic:

https://theathletic.com/3231780/2022/04/06/mlb-season-projections-playoff-picks-2022/?source=user_shared_article

”The Brewers are the most anonymous great team in baseball right now, and I know market size and TV bias toward showing certain teams is a factor, but I think it’s also the way they go about it: The Brewers are a run-prevention machine, with three incredible pitchers and outstanding defense, but their most famous player is a guy who hasn’t been good since fouling a ball off his own knee in September 2019. Their depth chart listings for first base as I write this are a thing of unspeakable beauty: Rowdy Tellez, Keston Hiura, Mike Brosseau, Jace Peterson, Tyler White and Jonathan Singleton. It’s a glorious list of hasn’t-beens and a perfect indication of how the Brewers feel about paying for production at that position.”

I think they will win the WS over the Yankees in the bottom of the 13th inning in game 7 after going down 4-1 in the top of the 12th off of a grand slam by Wong.  Wong wins the WS MVP.  

[sveumrules]

162-0

[torts]

I fully endorse this thread!  LFG!!!!!  

 

[BillScottCanRake]

Is 161-1 still considered optimistic?  We don't really have a "realistic" thread I can post in.

[stalton]

1 hour ago, BillScottCanRake said:

Is 161-1 still considered optimistic?  We don't really have a "realistic" thread I can post in.

Can it be both?

[Joseph Zarr]

In a Day and Age it is all too easy to be pessimistic and, in a manner of speaking, expect the absolute worst I am all Roses with the Brew Crew. We've made the Playoffs 4 years in a row. I couldn't even fathom this state of fandom in my wildest dreams in the doldrums of the 1990's. I am in my Golden Era. And, my friends: I absolutely friggin' LOVE it.

I used to be a pessimistic Wisconsin sports fan, like a really pessimistic sports fan - and boy, I swear, the Packers try to get me back there nearly every post-season (whewwwwwwwww...still taking deep breaths Gents!) - but life is too short and I have other things in my life I can invest in getting worked up over. I guess, what I realize is: I've turned a new leaf as I head into my older years. I truly enjoy watching the Milwaukee Brewers. There, I said it. I truly enjoy following the organization as a whole because it brings me Joy. AND, that, that is what this can be all about in its highest form.

And, damn, it feels good. I know...I know...our offense is most likely going to be middling to average this year. I don't care. We had an absolutely terrible start at the Plate last year and then we had a torrid 3 month run in all facets. Heck, if we don't lose our mojo those last two weeks of the 2021 season, I truly truly believe we might have gotten to the World Series. And, the fact we lost some close ones to Atlanta and, ultimately, the Series? Well, thems the breaks. That's just the way it goes - honestly, most of the time.

I'm going to root for Christian Yelich to turn it around this season. He doesn't have to be MVP Yelich - we probably never get there - but, I'm not going to limit that possibility. I'm going to continue rooting for Keston Hiura to rebound and find his former ways at the plate. I'm going to continue enjoying the youthful exuberance and joy for the game I see when Wily and Luis play the Infield together. I'm going to allow the players on the Team I love to be human and make mistakes and go through hot and cold spells. But, most importantly: I'm in it for the entire 162 games and whatever post-season I am blessed by. 

I have also grown to absolutely love Craig Counsell as our Manager. I used to scratch my head and question the way he managed the Bullpen. Now? Now, I sit back and relax and know he is the Man I want to lead this team and he sure as heck knows his players better than I think I do. I love his demeanor. I love the way he leads. I love his connection to the state I was born in, grew up in, first farmed in, and, ultimately, left behind as I moved into the rest of my life. I love the way he handles those daily interviews. And, I love the way he supports the Players (case and point: the comments he made today concerning Jake Cousins uneven performance. That's my Captain and I love it).

I want the team I've rooted for since I was literally 3 years old to succeed. In my wildest dreams: I want to pop champagne after a miraculous World Series run and victory. I want the players to experience success but most importantly I want to enjoy watching the game of baseball. And, I have chosen the Milwaukee Brewers as my team since I turned 4 yo and left those woeful Cardinals in the dust. It's 2022: Let's get it!

[MVP2110]

Rowdy, Adames, and Yelich all off to great starts

Rowdy with an OPS of 1.357(OPS+ of 305)

Adames with an OPS of 1.051(OPS+ of 214)

Yelich with an OPS of 1.038(OPS+ of 216)

It's still early obviously but atleast some of our hitters are off to fast starts

[Eye Black]

The Brewers finish the season with 20 of their final 26 games at home. It’s going to be a Craigtember for the ages. 

[torts]

FIRST SERIES WIN OF THE SEASON, NEXT UP, THE SENIOR CITIZENS OF THE NL VISIT, LETS SEND THEM PACKING, LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[torts]

Split series versus team grandpa is quite okay!  From one end of the spectrum to the other, bring on team Gen Z!  Series win here we come!  

[MVP2110]

https://twitter.com/BrewersStat/status/1516238174795841550?t=dozVRboOnSxcnT1sNdlYXw&s=19

[RobDeer 45]

10 hours ago, MVP2110 said:

https://twitter.com/BrewersStat/status/1516238174795841550?t=dozVRboOnSxcnT1sNdlYXw&s=19

This is great news.  I was smiling so big when he hit the grand slam last night.  Keep it going Yeli! 

[torts]

[tmwiese55]

13 games into the season and they're on pace for 100 wins.  In spite of a few clunkers from ace starters and the O not doing great.

[stalton]

33 minutes ago, tmwiese55 said:

13 games into the season and they're on pace for 100 wins.  In spite of a few clunkers from ace starters and the O not doing great.

All while sporting a negative Run differential to boot.

[igor67]

Offense is always fun, but I haven't gotten anywhere close to tired of waking up everyday and going we've got an ace on the mound and a pen that will do the job. 

[Jopal78]

The Brewers have lost two games (Cubs 9-0, Cardinals 10-1) by a combined margin of 19-1. But outside of those two blow out losses their differential is +15 (45 RS vs. 30 RA). Also of note, the Brewers have yet to rack up any blow out wins (their 6-1 win against the Pirates being their biggest margin of victory to date). 

Even with a mediocre offense, if their pitching stays healthy they should be able to rack up a lot of wins this year. 

[Underachiever]

1 hour ago, Jopal78 said:

The Brewers have lost two games (Cubs 9-0, Cardinals 10-1) by a combined margin of 19-1. But outside of those two blow out losses their differential is +15 (45 RS vs. 30 RA). Also of note, the Brewers have yet to rack up any blow out wins (their 6-1 win against the Pirates being their biggest margin of victory to date). 

Even with a mediocre offense, if their pitching stays healthy they should be able to rack up a lot of wins this year. 

I guess that's optimism. Guarded optimism, but optimism nonetheless.

[RobDeer 45]

23 hours ago, igor67 said:

Offense is always fun, but I haven't gotten anywhere close to tired of waking up everyday and going we've got an ace on the mound and a pen that will do the job. 

I love knowing our pitching staff is loaded.  It’s so fun!  There is a lot of negative talk about our offense, but if you can flip your mindset and celebrate our pitching and defense, you can have a lot more fun.  

[torts]

lets kick off the weekend with a win!  KEEP ON ROLLIN!  LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

[torts]

Goals this weekend:

✅ Win series

On to the next!  

 

 

[stalton]

DS and CC have found the new market inefficiency.  No need to win blowouts when you can win 1-0

[Brewcrew82]

12 runs! That is all....

[sveumrules]

Can’t spell Optimism without PIT