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What we learned: April 4, 2014

Today's lessons include the contingency plan if Khris Davis fails, the truth about Jim Henderson's current condition, and an alternative for planning baseball batting orders.

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Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

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

Early Brewers Analysis

Brewer Profiles

Beyond the Game

Minor League Update

Team Level Record Yesterday Today
Nashville Sounds AAA 0-0 Sounds @ Storm Chasers (PPD) Sounds @ Storm Chasers
Huntsville Stars AA 0-1 Stars 1, Suns 3 Stars @ Suns
Brevard County Manatees A+ 1-0 Manatees 1, Cubs 0 Cubs @ Manatees
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers A 0-1 Timber Rattlers 4, Chiefs 8 Chiefs @ Timber Rattlers

News & Notes

Division Update

Team W L GB
Pirates 2 1 -
Cardinals 2 1 -
Brewers 1 2 1
Reds 1 2 1
Cubs 1 2 1
  • 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