Like other Brewer fans, I have been nervous about the Brewers starting rotation since Gallardo went down against the Cubs, likely for the season. At that point, Sheets and Gallardo were really the only two consistent bets to give a solid start and eat innings. Especially troubling was the inability of the back of the rotation to get through the middle innings without getting torched. Since the Boston series, however, the starters are going deeper into games.  Here is a breakdown of the last 9 games since Boston:

-May 20: Manny Parra 5 2/3 IP

-May 21: Ben Sheets 9 IP

-May 22: Dave Bush 5 IP

-May 23: Jeff Suppan 5 2/3 IP

-May 24:  Seth McClung 5 IP (First start and working on a limited pitch count)

-May 25:  Manny Parra 4 1/3

-May 26  Ben Sheets 6 IP

-May 27 Dave Bush 7 IP

-May 28 Jeff Suppan 8 IP

The average IP per start for these 9 games comes to about 6 1/3 Innings. That number isn't going to set the roof on fire, but it is a 1 inning improvement compared to the the 5 1/3 IP before May 20. That extra inning is critical for keeping the bullpen fresh, and the team will need to rely on those relievers the rest of the year, especially until the club can do something to upgrade its staring pitching. The Crew's bullpen struggled last season during July and August, after it had been overworked in the early months by having a starting staff that couldn't go deep enough into games. There will be times when Yost will have to decide between getting innings out a faltering starter and giving the team the best chance to win a given game by going to the pen early. Correctly balancing those things is what he gets paid for, and he'll have to do his best. Hopefully Brewer starters can continue to hold down the fort until help can arrive around the trade deadline.

Editors note: This was written before McClung's short start on Thursday against the Braves