January 2009
Baseball’s March Madness
Starting March 5, in Tokyo, Japan, the 2009 World Baseball Classic kicks off with China taking on host Japan. 16 countries will compete over the next 19 days to determine the second champion of the WBC. But what incentive does the casual Brewer fan have to watch the upcoming Classic? Does Milwaukee have any players participating? The answer to that question is yes, and a big yes at that.
Brewers All-Star Ryan Braun has been listed on Team USA’s preliminary roster, and should see significant playing time in the Classic. With Braun
The answer to both of those questions is again, yes. After doing a bit of research, the Brewers as an organization have nine players currently on provisional rosters. Each country was able to name up to 45 players to be placed on their provisional roster, which will be trimmed to 28 by February 24.
Here is a list of players currently in the Brewers organization that are listed on a country’s provisional roster.
United States of America
- Ryan Braun
Australia
- David Welch
Canada
- Brett Lawrie
- Alex Periard
- R.J. Swindle
Italy
- Mark DiFelice
- Vinny Rottino
Mexico
- Yovani Gallardo
Venezuela
- Jorge Julio
Time will tell to see how many of these nine players will make their country’s final roster, but at the moment, there are numerous possibilities for Brewers to be playing against each other. In Pool C, Canada, Italy, USA, and Venezuela all feature a player in the organization on the roster, while Pool B sports Mexico and Australia, the remaining two countries featuring Brewers players.
With Milwaukee being a small market, I got to thinking how their organization ranked among the rest of Major League Baseball in terms of number of players on provisional rosters. As it turns out, the Brewers nine players place them tied for 19th, slightly below the midway point. That may be due to being a small market, however, Minnesota actually has the most players with 19, and they’re considered a market similar to Milwaukee.
Against teams in the NL Central, the Brewers and Cardinals each have nine, the Astros 10, Pittsburgh 12, and both the Cubs and Reds 17.
So mark your calenders, March 7 is Team USA’s first pitch, and get ready to watch some baseball that actually means something, as opposed to those wonderful Spring Training games, heading into the 2009 season.
It’s ’09, So Let’s Talk ’09
Just over two months away, the Brewers season will be beginning before we know it. Since my month and a half hiatus can be considered over now, here’s a look at the big series’ of 2009.
April 10-12: vs. Cubs
After a short three-game swing in San Francisco, the Crew ratchets up the schedule in a hurry, hosting the hated Cubs for their home opener. It’s a battle between the defending NL Central Champions and Wild Card winners, both of whom were knocked out of the postseason fairly quick (although Milwaukee did last longer). Be prepared for some high energy baseball, especially with this series falling over a weekend and including Opening Day.
April 17-23: at Mets; at Phillies
The Brewers will be just nine games into the season before they head East to take on the team they beat out for the Wild Card (Mets) and then their playoff foes and defending World Champions the Phillies in a three-game set. If the Brewers are going to look to make their way to the promised land of the final eight, the Cubs, Mets, and Phillies will more than likely be their biggest challengers.
May 8-10: vs. Cubs
After getting a solid month under each teams’ belt, the Cubs and Crew renew the rivalry once again at Miller Park. These games are big for one reason and one reason only; they’re against the Cubs.
May 15-17; 25-27: at Cardinals; vs. Cardinals
In the middle of last season, the Brewers and Cardinals rivalry seemed to be raised a few notches after altercations between the two clubs and some late game heroics during a four-game sweep in St. Louis by Ryan Braun and Bill Hall. Look for similar intensity during these series like the Cubs games. These teams straight up don’t like each other.
June 12-25: vs. White Sox; at Indians; at Tigers; vs. Twins
Welcome back to the American League Milwaukee! Interleague play will engulf the Brewers for two weeks and 12 games as the Crew takes on the four teams in the AL Central who have all recently been to the postseason. Chicago went in 2008, Cleveland in 2007, and Minnesota and Detroit in 2006.
July 2-5: at Cubs
What a way to celebrate the National Holiday. The first trip for the Brewers to Wrigley takes place over the holiday weekend, a four-game set just over a week before the All-Star break. If all predictions hold true, this should be a great series between the top two teams from the NL Central.
September 14-17; 21-23: at Cubs; vs. Cubs
Reaching the stretch run, the Brewers head to Chicago for a four-game series and then a week later meet the Cubs at Miller Park for a three-game set. For reasons that have been stated above, these games will be huge.
Now while down the stretch run of the season every game is huge, these are the priliminary games to mark on your calender for the upcoming season.
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