Made my annual pilgrimage to Milwaukee for the Brewers' home opener. I think this was my 28th (posting a record of 17-11)...probably the 27th in a row.
Gotta say this was probably the most exciting, and memorable, home opener in my experience. From Christian Yelich and his three-run home run to that incredible game-saving catch from Lorenzo Cain, it was a great day for the crowd of 45,304. Miller's capacity is 41,900 -- so another GREAT day for attendance.
What stood out to me more than Cain's catch was his exuberance, his sheer joy, afterwards, running towards Ryan Braun, hurling the ball towards the Miller Park roof, huge smile on his face. I love to see this group of players enjoying the game and each other. I'm not sure where that ball came down, if it ever did.
National projections for this edition have the defending NL Central champions winning 86.5 games. Last year, counting the one-game playoff to win the Central, the BrewCrew notched 96 wins -- I had projected an 89-73 record. This year, the pesky St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs are better. And while the Brewers improved their every-day lineup, their pitching remains a question -- especially in light of closer Corey Knebel being out for the season with Tommy John surgery.
I see Milwaukee's 89 wins giving the squad the NL Central title again. That everyday lineup should be good enough to get the Brewers to the World Series. After the club won 5-4 Sunday, taking the opening series from the Cardinals, 3 games to 1, I'm even more encouraged.
By the way, the Brewers will celebrate 50 years in Milwaukee next season -- though the team technically met that mark this year, as the Seattle Pilots entered the league in 1969 for a one season run before relocating to Milwaukee.
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