Brewers and Cubs in Arms War

Two franchises long noted for frugality, bad decision-making from the front offices and just plain losing, are setting up to go head-to-head, in by all appearances should be quite a race the rest of the season. The Milwaukee Brewers last played in the World Series in 1982, losing to St. Louis in seven games. Since then, because of horrible drafting and front office whining about being a “small market” team, the best aspect of this franchise was Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker, as a general funny man and his acting on classic “Major League” movies. The Chicago Cubs failures have been well-documented, with a century of failure in not winning the World Series. Despite past transgressions of total incompetence, these two organizations have made bold moves to challenge one another the rest of the regular season and possibly beyond.

Milwaukee is now owned by Mark Attanasio, a senior partner with the money management firm Trust Company of the West. The Brewers had reformulated their scouting system before Attanasio’a arrival and he provided the necessary infusion of cash, which helped the franchise turn a corner and last season become a contender with a viable future. After years of having one of the worst farm systems in the big leagues, Milwaukee was able to assemble a stellar collection of young talent that won 83 games last season.

After a slow start in 2008, mostly due to inconsistent hitting and bullpen that was strictly two shots and beer just hoping to survive, GM Doug Melvin and manager Ned Yost made adjustments. The loss of Yovani Gallardo was a real blow; nonetheless it opened the door for Manny Parra, who has flourished. With the Cubs fast start and St. Louis and Houston exceeding expectations, Milwaukee was quickly forgotten about. Finally, the Brewers found their stride and started playing with Tiger Woods grinding efficiency in winning 30 of 46 games, to crawl back into contention in the NL Central.

With Cleveland almost in the World Series last season, losing to Boston up 3-1, this has proven to be a larger shadow than possibly what Aaron Rodgers faces in Green Bay. With the Indians about ready to zip up the teepee for 2008, rumors surfaced free agent-to-be C.C. Sabathia was available and about 10 days after the rumors had circulated, he was wearing a Brewers cap, to the amazement of many, with teams like the Yankees and Dodgers needing starting pitching. This made it official, Milwaukee was playing hardball and sportsbooks in Las Vegas have lowered there odds of winning the division to 2-1.

In the past 24 years, the Cubs have made the postseason five times, giving loyal fans of the North Siders something to enjoy, yet falling short of making a World Series. GM Jim Hendry has brought a different approach to the job of overseeing this franchise, after getting by on sunshine, Harry Carry and Sammy Sosa, the Cubs made the decision to start winning. Trades that brought Derrick Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano signaled a different way of doing business. The farm system yielded Carlos Zambrano and Geovany Soto with more on the way. Lou Pinella, thought to be through as a manager after choosing to be the skipper in Tampa Bay, wanted to manage again for a team that WANTED to win.

Chicago won the NL Central last season and changed key components like adding Kosuke Fukodome to the outfield and returning Ryan Dempster to a starting pitcher. For the better part of the year, the Cubs have been the best team in the National League, yet when Zambrano went on the DL; it was shown how thin this staff could be without Big Z at the top. With Milwaukee throwing down the gauntlet, the Cubs responded by trading for Oakland ace Rich Harden. While this looked reactionary, the Cubs had been talking to Oakland about Harden for "three or four weeks," according to Chicago general manager Hendry, and published reports began surfacing Sunday about the Cubs' serious interest in Harden.

Much like a chess move, each has strengthened themselves for stretch run giving up players that could have been part of the future. According to a formula devised by Baseball Abstract, Chicago has the greatest probability of any team in baseball to make the playoffs at 85.5 percent. Milwaukee is third in the National League at 53.6 percent, well ahead of the St. Louis (37.9) to earn October playing time. If Harden can stay healthy, which has always been an issue for the 26-year old right-hander, the Cubs can set-up Zambrano, Harden, Dempster and Lilly, while trying to find right fifth starter.

Milwaukee has literally put all their eggs in one basket, with Sabathia and Ben Sheets both free agents when season concludes. One would have to believe the Brewers will not let both get away, but who knows. If rumors are true about Gallardo being able to be at or near full strength by September, Milwaukee could trot out Sabathia, Sheets, Parra, Gallardo and Jeff Suppan. Heading into the season’s final month, on paper at least, the Brewers would have as imposing a starting five as anyone in baseball.

Today, Chicago is 3-2 odds to win the National League, with Milwaukee not far behind at 7-2. If Ned Yost’s squad can stay about where they are until Labor Day, they would have a very good opportunity to catch the Cubs. Milwaukee’s schedule is fairly balanced after the All-Star break, while the North Siders is not. Starting August 1 thru September 3, Chicago plays 22 of 31 games at Wrigley Field. After that, only six of the remaining 22 contests are at 1060 W. Addison in Chicago. The Cubbies close the year with a seven-game road trip, while the Brew Crew plays six at Miller Park.

In all, these two combatants will meet 10 more times, with seven in what is known as the Miller Valley, including games 160, 161 and 162 for both teams. It promises to be entertaining and nerve-racking for fans and sports bettors alike.