We all know that the Brewers depend a lot on their offense to generate wins but I am surprised at the early success their defense has had so far this season.

Checking out their advanced fielding statistics, the Brewers are 1st in the NL in team UZR (second in the ML only to the Rays, who are in a league of their own). This being generated mostly by a NL best RngR.

A large part of the fielding improvement can be attributed to the play of Rickey Weeks. Weeks has the best UZR of any 2B in the Majors at this point in the season! Hopefully, along with his success at the plate so far, 2009 will become the break-out year we were all hoping for from him.

Also contributing a large part of the defensive success so far this year has been Mike Cameron who is playing way above his historical UZR/150 stats. Amazing at his age and in his position.

I know looking just at one stat can be a little shortsighted, but I find this to be truly excellent news and perhaps a sign that the Brewers, if they can keep playing this kind of defense, have a good chance to get into the playoffs again this year. Opinions?