April: 5th
May: 16th
June: 2nd
July: 4th
August: 5th
September: 16th.

A touch streaky, don't you think?

The Brewers often were painful to watch offensively even after DaleSveum replaced Ned Yost as manager with 12 games remaining. In thefinal week, they hit dramatic home runs and did little else.

The question now is whether the Brew Crew is capable of anotheroffensive tear. The pressure is all on the Phillies, right? TheBrewers can almost relax after making the playoffs for the first timein 26 years.

There is no indication, mind you, that the Brewers are about to reviveoffensively. But really, it's their only hope against the Phillies,considering that CC Sabathia, much to the Brewers' dismay, cannotpitch every day.

The good news for the Brewers is that their .807 OPS against leftiesranked a close second to the Cubs' in the NL this season, and thePhillies will start southpaws Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer in two ofthe first three games.

I'm reaching: The Brewers' prowess against lefties certainly didn'thelp them Saturday against Ted Lilly. Hamels is one of the top lefthandersin the game, while Moyer — a changeup artist who routinely carvesthrough young lineups like Milwaukee's — is 8-1 with a 3.39 ERA sincethe All-Star break.

The point is, the Brewers are nearly as explosive as the Philliesoffensively, if less experienced. Yet, even if the Brewers steal oneof the first two games in Philadelphia — a distinct possibility withSabathia facing enigmatic righty Brett Myers in Game 2 — theirpitching would not be strong enough to complete the upset.

Dave Bush had a 3.50 ERA at Miller Park in the regular season, but isthe type of righty that the Phillies typically maul. Ditto for JeffSuppan, who might have started Game 1 over Yovani Gallardo if not forhis awful numbers against the Phillies. Sveum has yet to decide inwhich order he will use Bush and Suppan in Games 3 and 4.

Reliever Seth McClung, a hard-throwing righty, could be a huge factorin relief, spelling Bush or Suppan for multiple innings, if necessary.But lefties Brian Shouse and Mitch Stetter will not strike fear intoHoward and Utley, the Phillies' best left-handed hitters. CloserSalomon Torres, meanwhile, looks gassed; his September ERA was 8.53.

The Phillies' bullpen, too, showed signs of wear in the final month —righty Chad Durbin and lefty J.C. Romero struggled, and even closerBrad Lidge's stuff was down from where it was earlier in the season,scouts say. But righty Ryan Madson has pitched well of late, and thePhillies still rate the edge — in this phase of the game and virtuallyevery other.

Postseason experience will mean something in this series, and notsimply because the Brewers lack it. The Phillies, swept three straightby the Rockies in last year's Division Series, were not satisfied towin their second straight division title. Manager Charlie Manuel vowsthat his hitters will take a more patient approach than they didagainst the Rockies. Outfielder Jayson Werth calls the Phillies a"team of necessity," meaning they play best when they absolutely must.

The Brewers already have achieved their major goal. The Phillies arejust getting started.

Phillies in 4.

Colorado Rockies News News » Brewers lack arms to keep up with Phillies 2008-10-02
Brewers lack arms to keep up with Phillies 2008-10-02
Want wacky? We've got wacky. Consider the Brewers' month-by-month National League rankings thisseason in runs per game: Postseason matchups NLDS Brewers vs. Phillies, Wed., Oct. 1 Dodgers vs. Cubs, starts Wed., Oct. 1 ALDS White Sox vs. Rays, Thu., Oct. 2 Red Sox vs. Angels, Wed., Oct. 2