The Milwaukee Brewers are ready to get back to the playoffs after having a disappointing 2012 season and with Ryan Braun dealing with questions about PEDs, the team would like to get to a winning start at home against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park.
Todd Helton will be the senior player on the field on Monday, as he prepares for his 16th opening day start for the Rockies, who will throw Jhoulys Chacin against Yovani Gallardo, who is making his fourth opening day start opposed to the first for the Colorado pitcher. The Rockies will be looking to get off to a good start under new manager Walt Weiss, as the team was just 64-98 last season.
Colorado hired their former player and 1988 AL Rookie of the Year from a high school team and is hoping that some new blood can spark the team to a winning season. The Rockies have pulled some strange things with their pitchers over the past two seasons and that may continue, as the team hasn't had a pitcher throw 100 pitches since June of last season, a streak of over 100 games,.
The Brewers will be looking for strong season from catcher Jonathan Lucroy and second baseman Rickie Weeks, as well as newly signed pitcher Kyle Lohse, who signed a three-year contract after going 16-3 with a 2.86 ERA for St. Louis last year. Gallardo has gone 0-2 in his opening day starts, but the team is looking for a new result in 2013.
The Brewers made to the playoffs and the NLCS in 2011, but fell back last season after losing Prince Fielder to the Tigers. Alex Gonzalez will be back and the team also has Carlos Gomez in centerfield. Last season the team went 83-79 and barely sniffed the top of the division and they will need to overtake the Reds to have a chance in the playoffs this year.
Despite the PED issues, the Brewers will be looking to Braun to continue his mashing, as he won the NL MVP in 2011 and should have another successful year. The team will play three at home against Colorado and the nest time the teams face off will be at the end of July.
CHECK here for the MLB live stream for the game with the Brewers and Rockies.
