2007 Milwaukee Brewers Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Milwaukee Brewers had high hopes after earning a .500 record for the 2005, their first in 13 seasons. But 2006 was a major disappointment, as injuries doomed the Brewers to a fourth-place finish, 8.5 games out of first. Starting hurlers’ Tomo Ohka and Ben Sheets missed over two months because of injuries, and shortstop J.J. Hardy, third baseman Corey Koskie and second baseman Rickie Weeks all were lost for the season before the end of August. Relievers Matt Wise and Rick Helling and outfielder Laynce Nix also all sustained season ending injuries.

Bet your 2007 Baseball Predictions at Bodog! Best of all if you sign up for a NEW account, we will give you our premium picks for FREE for an entire month!

Through it all, manager Ned Yost held his team together. The Brewers led the majors with 12 walk-off victories in 2006, but after closing within 4.5 games of the NL Wild Card lead in September, a 10-game losing streak ended Milwaukee’s chances. Starting pitchers Zach Jackson and Carlos Villanueva showed promise. First baseman Prince Fielder faded at the end of the season but posted strong rookie numbers, with a .271 average, 28 home runs and 81 RBI’s. Francisco Cordero took over the closing role duties in midseason and posted 16 Saves in 18 opportunities with a 1.69 ERA.

The Brewers signed starter Jeff Suppan to a four-year, $42 million dollar contract in the offseason, the highest in club history. With the Cardinals the past three years, Suppan was 44-25 with a 3.95 ERA. He was 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA at Miller Park during that span. Suppan will fit right in with Ben Sheets. Dave Bush, who had a team-high 12 wins, Chris Capuano, an 11-game winner and Claudio Vargas are all in the starting rotation. Cordero will retain the closer’s role, and Derrick Turnbow, Matte Wise, Jose Capellan and Brian Shouse will fill out the bullpen.

General Manager Doug Melvin wanted more offense from the catcher’s position, and believes he found it by acquiring Johnny Estrada from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Estrada has hit over .300 in 3 out of the last 4 years, and his 11 home runs last season was a career high. If the infield can stay healthy, it’s a pretty good one. Fielder returns after his breakout season. Rickie Weeks is back after wrist surgery that limited him to 95 games last season. J.J. Hardy is coming off an ankle injury at shortstop that limited him to 35 games last season. If healthy, Corey Koskie is solid at first base. This is not one of the best infield’s in the league, but they can produce average numbers in the batting order.

The Brewers outfield will have a new look. Bill Hall, who was the club’s MVP after a 35-home run season, will start in one outfield position, most likely center field. After his audition last season, Corey Hart will get a chance at an every day job as the starting leftfielder. The right field job will be manned by Geoff Jenkins who hit .271 with 17 HRs and 70 RBIs. Kevin Mench, Brady Clark, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Laynce Nix will all see playing time in the outfield at some point. This looks like it could be a season where the Brewers actually make a run at a Wild Card spot with one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Don’t count the Brewers out in 2007.

Related Articles You May Be Interested In:

Filed Under MLB