It is quite clear that the Brewers are winning without production from offensive powers Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Others are hitting below their norms as well, to varying degrees: J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart, and Bill Hall.
Gabe Kapler and Jason kendall are absolutely hitting the cover off of the ball.
What happens if the current production levels are maintained for the entire season? Well, the whole scenario does not look good for the offense; using the Baseball Musings Line Up Analysis tool, we can see that the Brewers will average around 4.33 runs per game, maxing out at 4.849 runs per game and bottoming out at 3.721.
So, what should the Brewers do to increase the chances of scoring 4.849 runs per game? Here is the line up suggested by the Line Up Analysis tool. I completely guessed the pitching numbers. I will work a more precise pitcher average tomorrow.
1, Jason Kendall
2. Gabe Kapler
3. Bill Hall
4. Corey Hart
5. Rickie Weeks
6. Pitcher
7. Prince Fielder
8. Ryan Braun
9. J.J. Hardy
I would pay $75 for box seats to see that line up.
Here's our worst line up right now:
1. Ryan Braun
2. Pitcher
3. Prince Fielder
4. Corey Hart
5. J.J. Hardy
6. Rickie Weeks
7. Bill Hall
8. Jason Kendall
9. Gabe Kapler
And our current line up? Well, that's apparently such a bad option that the tool did not even suggest a line up with Rickie Weeks leading off, Jason Kendall hitting ninth, and Braun/Fielder batting 3/4.
My favorite?
1. Hart
2. Kapler
3. Braun
4. Kendall
5. Weeks
6. Pitcher
7. Fielder
8. Hall
9. Hardy
So, how do we get the life back into this offense? And what's our best line up right now?