2013 Milwaukee Brewers: 3 Bold Predictions

1. Yovani Gallardo Will Win 20 Games

Ever since Yovani Gallardo became the Brewers’ ace in 2009, he has been the most underrated pitcher in baseball. Since 2009 he has averaged almost 32 starts a season with 15 wins, 203 strike-outs, and an ERA ranging from 3.52-3.84. He has also been able to remain healthy throughout his young six year career besides a freak ACL injury in 2008. Yovani Gallardo is just entering the prime of his career and in order for the Brewers to be successful this season, he has to be a consistent pitcher a top the Brewers rotation. This will finally be Gallardo’s break out season, and expect him to win 20 games for the very competitive Milwaukee Brewers.

2. Ryan Braun Will Win the N.L. MVP Award

Ryan Braun has been the best player in baseball over the last two seasons, and this season he will continue to produce at a high level. Over the past two seasons he has destroyed the ball, averaging 37 home runs, 112 RBIs, and an average well over .300. If it was not for all of the off the field drama, that happened before last season, Ryan Braun would have been the MVP for the second consecutive season. Ryan Braun will have another outstanding season for the Brewers, and if he is able to repeat the success he has had over the past two seasons, he will be the National League MVP.

3. Milwaukee Brewers Will Make the Playoffs

Throughout the last decade the Brewers have struggled to develop young pitching besides, Ben Sheets and Yovani Gallardo. This season the Brewers have decided to go with a younger and inexperience pitching rotation behind Gallardo, and this decision by Doug Melvin, has led to a lot of criticism from baseball fans. This is one of the smartest decisions Melvin has made in his tenure as Brewers GM because instead of over paying for veteran hurlers, they are allowing their highly touted pitching prospects to develop.

Instead of over paying for starting pitching, the Brewers have used the money to revamp their awful bullpen from last season, with the acquisitions of Burke Badenhop, Michael Gonzalez, and Tom Gorzelanny. Their bullpen was so bad last season, that they had 29 blown saves in 73 opportunities, with a 4.66 ERA, which was the worst in the majors. If the Brewers bullpen would have converted half of those blown saves, they would have made the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

With a young, but talented starting rotation, a revamped bullpen, and the best offense in the National League expect the Brewers to surprise everyone and win one of the National League Wild Cards.