Tell me this isn’t fun.

The Brewers faced their first hint of adversity this week, losing starting second baseman Rickie Weeks to a wrist injury, opening a platoon frenzy at second and third base by Ken Macha, the Brewers’ shrewd psychological guru. Making up for stretches of offensive inactivity by stringing together a crucial big inning here or there, and riding on the coattails of a ridiculously effective bullpen, the hot streak continues. Sure, you can throw a loss in there, but who cares, really? The Brewers won yet another series, and are maintaining a torrid winning pace in May.

Character is formed by the habitual actions, emotions, desires, and experiences of a person, and collectively, it seems to be the case that we’re seeing a test of the Brewers’ development over the last few years, right here, right now. Receiving trials such as the 2009 season has provided and answering with strong, resilient performance is not a given whatsoever; and yet here we stand with the Brewers winning their first series without their second baseman, with a new rotating cast of personalities, a fine start on which to build.

This stretches beyond their training as minor leaguers to prepare their physical skills; Brewers success in 2009 will also require psychological strength and a clear resolve to win. The type of resolve that is hopefully instilled by two close playoff races in two seasons, including the divisional collapse in 2007, and the improbable Wild Card in 2008. From these experiences, I guarantee you that we’re seeing a Brewers team develop that is more than the aggregate of their on-field performance.

Last 5 GS (unless otherwise noted)

Manny Parra (3-1, 5 GS, 3.41 runs average, 5.80 IP/GS; 4 quality starts) @ Kevin Slowey (3-1, 5 GS, 3.64 runs average, 5.94 IP/GS; 3 quality starts)

Parra enters Minneapolis on the best stretch of his career thus far. The shapeshifting lefty – power fastball, lots of breaking pitches – pitched 4 quality starts in his last 4 GS. But, not everything is in the clear; despite the quality starts, the lefty is not pitching efficient outings. In his last 4 GS, his consecutive quality starts, Parra threw 428 pitches, almost 18 pitches per inning. While it is encouraging that Parra can keep up the quality outings, one might wonder how long he can maintain that level of pitching efficiency.

Slowey hasn’t quite reached his 2008 level of production, but he’s getting closer to that performance level. The righty is working his fastball almost 70% of the time in 2009, a sharp contrast to the curveballing change up artists that the Brewers faced in 2 of 3 games in Houston. Complementing the fastball with his slider, batters will mostly see those two pitches from Slowey, with curves and changes thrown in from time to time for good measure. Of course, Slowey will look to replicate his last successful outing against the Brewers at the Metrodome.

Braden Looper (2-2, 5 GS, 6.59 runs average, 5.46 IP/GS; 1 quality start) @ Anthony Swarzak (0-0, 0 GS)

Looper is in the midst of a rough stretch, but that’s okay. He is keeping the Brewers close even in his less-than-quality outings, which is a crucial trait for a middle rotation pitcher. The key of Looper’s production is that it is sustainable – that is, this is an entirely realistic level of performance for 2009, both the good and the bad. Which is probably rather promising to the Brewers’ chances of success.

Young Swarzak makes his first major league start against the Brewers. The right-hander reportedly has nasty stuff, although according to him, he’s just a guy who tries to establish his fastball early, to both sides of the plate, throw some curveballs, a few change ups, and he is also learning a slider (according to an interview with Mike Ashmore). Sounds like a sound approach! He is pitching very well to start 2009, and will likely be a welcome addition to the Twins’ rotation.

Dave Bush (2-0, 5 GS, 4.22 runs average, 6.40 IP/GS; 4 quality starts) @ Scott Baker (1-3, 5 GS, 5.40 runs average, 6.00 IP/GS; 1 quality start)

Bush is on a tear right now, yet another Brewer on a 4-consecutive quality start streak. The beauty of pitching aggressively is that even when you make mistakes – such as allowing home run balls – there is probably not anyone on base to add extra damage. This is Dave Bush’s secret, and explains why the righty sinkerballer can get by with strong results while allowing home runs.

To close the series, the Twins have yet another fastball / slider artist, although this one is more prolific with the slider than Slowey. Baker is having a rough go of it thus far, pitching nowhere near his 2007-2008 levels. The righty will certainly welcome some home cooking from that Metrodome turf, and his fate will rest on the patience of Brewers bats.