What we learned: April 4, 2014

Yesterday's Results

The Brewers had the day off. However, if you missed the last two games, Noah has some GIFs for you.

The Brewers are in serious trouble if Khris Davis fails.

Entering the 2014 season, the Brewers placed a big bet on Khris Davis. This bet was so big that they also bet their backup plan to increase their odds elsewhere. We all hope that it will pay off, but a big question looms out there: What happens if the bet fails? That's the question Noah asked yesterday. The Brewers don't have a solid plan B available. It currently consists of either using a below average player or giving something up to trade for a better player. However, neither option looks good right now. It's only been seven PAs for Davis so far, but his first two games haven't generated much confidence.

There may not be a problem with Jim Henderson.

Jim Henderson is struggling with some lost velocity on his fastball right now. The problem is big enough that Ron Roenicke removed Henderson from the closer's role. Is this problem as bad as it seems? Jordan considered that question yesterday as he analyzed Jim Henderson. He noted that an early loss of velocity has been seen from Henderson before and it could return. It's another case of early results causing a panic, but Jordan is not concerned for now.

The Brewers may not be using their optimum lineup.

We've all heard the reasons behind the optimal lineup all the time. You put the high OBP guys in the early spots, then the heavy hitters 3rd and 4th to drive them home, and then arrange the rest so the best remaining hitters hit first. However, is that what is best for the Brewers this year? Fred Hofstetter asks this question and puts together an alternative to tradition. His idea is based on one simple thing: what a kid would do when setting a lineup. Could an unconventional lineup be better for the Brewers? Maybe, but it would be hard to convince other people of that.

Cram Session

Ryan Braun

• Jim Caple had a strong opinion of Braun and a suggestion for how to fix the problems with PEDs. Meanwhile, Badgernoonan of Ron Roenicke Stole My Baseball also read this opinion, and decided to break it down point by point and problem by problem.
• Remember Trenni Kusnierek from her Brewers broadcast days? She has a question for people who don't like that Braun was cheered in his return to Milwaukee.

Early Brewers Analysis

• Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar wonders why it feels so late this early in the season.
• Even though it's only been three games, Nicholas Zettel of Reviewing the Brew notices some early issues for the Brewers offense.
• Justin Schultz of Reviewing the Brew also wonders if it's time to worry about the offense.
• In a special to John and Cait, Tim Rappe breaks down the mechanics of a proper batting stance.

• When Zack Greinke went down with that cracked rib from playing basketball in 2011, there was a lot of pessimism about it. However, one good thing did come from it: the emergence of Marco Estrada. Adam McCalvy looks at the path Estrada has taken to this point and what 2014 holds for him.
• Todd Rosiak of JSOnline has a profile of Francisco Rodriguez as he steps into the closer role, noting that this change is nothing new for K-Rod.

Beyond the Game

• Ever wanted to propose at a certain ballpark? Enrique Bakemeyer of The Brewers Bar has the cost of proposing at all 30 MLB ballparks.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• As part of Minor League Opening Day, the writers at Miller Park Prospects have some predictions for the season.
• The Brewer Nation has the complete final rosters for all four of the affiliates.
• Kevin Kimmes of Cream City Cables has some pregame notes for the Timber Rattlers, as well as a recap of the game.

Division Update

• Cubs 3, Pirates 2: Jason Hammel had an excellent debut as a Cub, and Mike Olt and Emilio Bonifacio led the offense as the Cubs got their first win of the season.
• Cardinals 7, Reds 6: After another long rain delay, both offenses came alive in the third game of the series, though it was the Cardinals that had a little bit more as they took a 7-3 lead and they held on to win 7-6.

This Weekend's Games

• Phillies @ Cubs
  Friday: Roberto Hernandez vs. Travis Wood - 1:20 pm
  Saturday: Cliff Lee vs. Jeff Samardzija - 1:20 pm
  Sunday: AJ Burnett vs. Carlos Villanueva - 1:20 pm
• Cardinals @ Pirates
  Friday: Shelby Miller vs. Gerrit Cole - 6:05 pm
  Saturday: Joe Kelly vs. Francisco Liriano - 6:05 pm
  Sunday: Adam Wainwright vs. Edinson Volquez - 12:35 pm
• Reds @ Mets
  Friday: Mike Leake vs. Jenrry Mejia - 6:10 pm
  Saturday: Johnny Cueto vs. Dillon Gee - 12:10 pm
  Sunday: Alfredo Simon vs. Jon Niese - 12:10 pm

Today's Action

The Brewers go back to work today in Boston for their first interleague series of the year, and their earliest interleague series ever. Here are the weekend matchups:

Friday: Marco Estrada vs. Jake Peavy - 1:05 pm
Saturday: Wily Peralta vs. Clay Buchholz - 6:10 pm
Sunday: Yovani Gallardo vs. Jon Lester - 12:35 pm

More from Brew Crew Ball

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• Extra Hops: Gifs of the last two games
• If Khris Davis fails: A hypothetical worst-case scenario
• One opinion on the Brewers' lineup construction
• Do we have a Jim Henderson Problem?
• Matt Garza: Will he be worth the money?