The Brewers have been terrible year after year, but in 2005, this revamped team hit a record .500, playing well in a beautiful ball park. It was their first season without losing since 1992, and the Club rewarded manager Ned Yost with a contract extension through 2008. While his 2006 campaign looks promising, this is a team you have to feel for from the start to make sure the 2005 Brew Crew weren’t one-hit wonders.

Why the improvement from last season? All signs point to increased run production through manufacturing runs, rather than relying on the long ball like many other teams in the league do. They also took care of business on their home field with a 46-35 record, which is essential to becoming a standout player in any division, especially one as loaded as the National League Central. Last season’s Brewers averaged .6 more runs per game than 2004 at 4.5 runs per game and increased that mark to 4.65 runs per game at Miller Park. The Brewers will need more production on the road this season to have any chance of making a wild card run.

The Brewers finished third in the toughest division in the National League that sent St. Louis and Houston to the playoffs and Houston to the World Series. I expect the Cubs to outplay them this season with a healthy pitching staff that dominates their right hand, which should cause them problems head-to-head. Houston could slide this season due to a lack of bats. I expect the Brewers to finish third or fourth, but their record should improve several games.

Expect the 2006 Brewers to thrive at home once again, especially when facing lefties. Milwaukee’s balanced and disciplined lineup won 15 of 23 games vs. south leg at home while scoring nearly 5 runs per game. They were able to score even more runs against lefties on the road, averaging 5.13 runs per game, but only won 11 of 23 games due to poor pitching from Miller Park. He should be able to capitalize on the Brew Crew against lefties in 2006. If he picks his spots, the overs against lefties should also be a solid play.