25 days and counting....

Man, is it just me or Spring Training taking forever this year? I suppose it doesn't help with the WBC going on and the bumping back of Opening Day. There has been a couple of games I briefly watched since the competition started last week. I saw bits and pieces of the Netherlands beating Dominican Republic, which was swell. The US beating Chavezs' boys earlier in the week. It just doesn't do it for me though. It's like the Olympics. Not important unless there's a Cold War going on.

Ryan Braun had a solid game in their loss to Venezuela (second match up). He went 3 for 4.

Now for some important news....

Braden Looper is back on track and should be in the starting rotation come Opening Day. Meanwhile, I think I just heard that Seth McClung kicked the Gatorade jug and whipped his glove across the clubhouse in anger.
This type of injury could come back to haunt him, much like Ryan Braun and his nagging oblique strain he suffered late last season.

While were on the topic....Mike Cameron suffered a muscle strain as well, earlier this week. This is pretty bad news for the Crew. They are already missing Tony Gwynn Jr. in the outfield and are relying on some bigtime help off the bench from players Duffy and Nelson. Although Cam is day to day, any sort of strain like this can easily turn in to a nagging, season-long, injury.

David Riske is finally back from his elbow surgery....first pitch coming back to the Brewers....BOOM...Home Run. Sweet. Man, I really had high hopes for him and his relief role for the Crew. What a disappointment. Granted, he is just coming off of surgery...but I don't see him being a huge contributor to the pen.

Interesting tidbit on Major League ballparks around the country and their obstructed view seats. The new Yankee Stadium has 600 that have obstructed view, thanks impart to a restaurant/bar that went up inside the park. Babe Ruth would be proud.
Miller Park is trying to lower the number of these seats by renovating some parts of the stadium and moving key stairways.

There's another Canadian prospect who will be coming up through the ranks. Outfielder
Chris Dennis is only 20 years old and is said to have a pretty sweet swing. He may be playing for the Timber Rattlers this season. Like his fellow Canadian-brother-in-arms Brett Lawrie, Dennis was drafted as a catcher but was then later assigned to the outfield.

Here's a shocker....Jeff Suppan struggled in the Brewers loss to San Diego. He will be the achilles heal in that rotation. He and his 5 to 5.5 innings a game bullshit. The game ended in a 10-10 tie. Milwaukee did come back after going down 5-runs.
Prince, Kendall, and Cory Hart all homered for the Crew!

Now for a preseason prediction...

I have a gut feeling that Dave Bush is going to have a break out year for the Milwaukee Brewers. The fellas over at Rightfieldbleachers.com feel the same way. As do many other Brewer faithfuls. This guy is ready, and well overdue. Going in to the off-season with a boost of confidence, knowing that you delivered Milwaukee their first post-season win in 26 years can have a lasting impression. He should be the anchor in that rotation and could potentially move up to the #2 spot.
Here is what others are saying...
HERE HERE

CC Sabathia was roughed up in his second start for the Yanks. I wouldn't read too much in to this. He will be the CY Young winner of 2009!