http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/nerd.gif http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/devil.gif http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/pimp.gif Hey gang. I'd like to sign on to the "it's early, don't give up yet" crowd. Despite recent bullpen meltdowns, I'd have to say that our pitching overall has been pleasing, and if given a choice, I'll take good pitching over good hitting. Obviously, Ben Sheets would prefer a little more run support and wouldn't we all. Offensively, the last eight games or so have been quite frustrating what with Spivey's inspired strikeouts, Lee chasing "unhittable filth", Jenks' continuing slump and dry-heaving, JJ's no strikeout .125 or so avg.(with all of its hope) and everyone's ideological stance against getting hits with runners at second and third. It's a cliche to say that these guys'll come around, but sometimes cliches are cliches for a reason. They can be true. In addition, I don't think Butch or Ned should be on the hot-seat yet. I personally think we should calm down before we start calling for peoples' heads 13 games in to the season. A hitting coach is important but not as important as the hitter. And Yost has made some questionably over-aggressive baserunning calls and such, but I think it is early enough that adjustments can be made. Perhaps, the excitement of the upcoming roadtrip with the danger and excitement and unfamiliarity of foreign cities can get the Brewers and their bats to let loose and have fun a bit. If someone were to tell you before the season that after 13 games we'd be 5-8, you certainly wouldn't be pleased as punch, but I also don't think you would be throwing things, yelling at your neighbors, flinging darts at a poster of Wyneger, etc. You'd say "well, that's too early to formulate an accurate perception of the overall prospects for this team this year, but 5-8 is a little disappointing. But early." Losing 5 in a row brings out the worst in us all. Losing some of the games in the manner in which we did, especially Tuesday's game, makes it exponentially frustrating. But, we have not really been blown out this year. And for a game to be frustrating, you have to be in the game. We've had a chance to win in almost every game this year. Plus, if you can lose 5 in a row, you can also win 7 in a row. Maybe we can reverse last year's dynamic. I seem to remember a couple times sweeping a 3 game series only to get swept in the next 4 game series. It's the old game of 1 step forward, 2 steps back. In this year's context, perhaps we can take 1 step back and follow with taking 2 steps forward. Anyhow, these are this brewerfan's feelings. Perhaps they are naive; perhaps they ignore history, but I don't ignore my gut.