Box Score
The Brewers are up 5.5 games in the NL Central and only have 12 left to play. They have an off-day tomorrow before heading to Cincinnati to face the Reds and three starting pitchers with ERAs north of five. Meanwhile the Cardinals will head to Philadelphia for a four game set against the powerful Phillies. Given this information you would be inclined to believe that the Brewers' magic number will be four or lower by Monday, but...
...Their offense has done a total disappearing act. They have not scored more than three runs in a game since Labor day and they have not scored more than four runs in September against a team not named the Houston Astros. This is a troubling development and basically the only way the Brewers are going to miss the playoffs.
Shawn Marcum was not sharp tonight against the Rockies, but at some point the offense if going to have to wake up and bail a pitcher out. It helps to have Weeks back and Taylor Green is a good option to replace McGehee. Unfortunately the huge gaping hole that is Yuniesky Betancourt remains in the lineup. He's nothing more than a rally-killer with horrible range at shortstop. I look forward to never having to watch him play ever again.
Anyway, my hand is away from the panic button for the moment. I Brewers win and Cardinals loss on Friday would just about permanently squelch my fears for the season. Of course, the opposite is also true. That said, the Phillies have a chance to clinch the NL East and homefield advantage against St Louis, so you know they'll come out with guns blazing. I hope this happens, because my faith in the Brewers is not terribly high.
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