The Milwaukee Brewers, originally the Seattle Pilots of the AL, were founded in 1969 and relocated a year later to Milwaukee and adopted their current name during the move. They jumped over the NL in '98 and are the only team to play in four divisions. They have made the playoffs five times and their only World Series appearance came back in 1982, losing to the Cardinals in seven games. The only two Brewers in the Hall of Fame in Brewers uniforms are Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, who make an appearance here.
The original Pilots and Brewers logos
The Brewers lineup may be the best lineup we have rolled out yet, with every single player supporting a 10 OB, and only one player under 5 expected runs, there are no weak links. Opposing pitchers face three straight MVPs to start out the lineup, to give you an idea of what this is going to be like. Yount's 1982 card goes first with his 22 speed, two HRs/3Bs and four 2Bs card for a studly 6.38 expected runs. Behind him will be the top card on the team with Ryan Braun's ridiculous 2011 card having a ton of extra base opportunities and 22 speed for 6.53 expected runs. The 2018 NL MVP will bat third with his almost identical card, albeit with one less 1B+ and speed, giving him a still absolutely monstrous 6.41 expected runs. It doesn't get easier after that, with Prince Fielder hitting clean up in his 2009 version with a ton of pop for 6.31 expected runs. Those first four are going to cause PROBLEMS for opposing pitchers. Molitor's 1982 card, which many managers might slot into the lead off spot, will bat fifth at 5.58 expected runs and a ridiculous amount of speed.
Nilsson bats 6th with a really solid card, especially for a catcher. His only downside being his +4 arm, but for 10 OB and 18-20 chart, it's well worth it. He comes in at 5.23 runs and the worst card of the lineup comes after him at 4.66 expected runs, which is still very solid. Cirillo also gives a +3 glove, as does Cain's solid card which has 20 speed and 10 OB. He might not have any triples or home runs, bu the still comes in just over 5 expected runs and acts as an extra lead off hitter . This team has speed, high OB and great defense, and is going to be a nightmare for opposing pitchers day in and day out. Speaking of pitchers, this rotation is nothing to laugh at. The late addition of Sabathia puts this team over the top. MY GOD they are going to run through teams. He comes in as the 16th best starter ever made, coming in at 4.85 expected runs, and adds that top level stud they had been missing. Greinke's 2011 card supports him with 5.84 expected runs and with 6 control, albeit only 16 to get on base. Behind him comes a group of innings eaters in Caldwell, Higuera, D'Amico and Sutton, and all sporting expected runs between 6.01 and 6.50 giving this team solid options 3-5.
Late addition but this card is STUDLY. Thanks to @mlbshowdowncup for the help!
With a few high control/lower out number guys and few low control/high out number guys, this rotation is going to keep hitters off balance, and the ability to go deep in games gives them a ton of flexibility against opposing hitters. The bullpen is led off by two Hall of Famers in Trevor Hoffman and Rollie Fingers, and supported by Josh Hader's 2018 season which was one of the most dominant we've seen from a reliever. Hoffman tops the list at 4.83 expected runs, with Fingers and Hader coming in just above 5 at 5.03 and 5.06 respectively. There's a large drop off after those three, with Jefress coming in at 5.84 and Plesac coming in at 6.19 but both giving 6 control to help against the other high OB teams out there. King rounds out the bullpen with a solid 6.28 expected runs against with his 3 C, 18 to get on base card.
There really aren't many weaknesses in this team, as the lineup is around incredible, the bullpen has three of the most dominant relievers out there and the rotation is very very deep and good. For the bench we have four spots open, giving us a lot of room to work with here. From a pitching perspective the top options are Sutton who got bumped with the addition of CC, 2018 Chacin, 2001 Leskanic, and 2018 Knebel. For hitters we have 2000 Burnitz, 1980 Cecil Cooper and 2018 Aguilar. One other thing to note is that the Moliter card above isn't even his best. His 1987 card actually comes in at 5.81 expected runs vs. 5.58 for the one above, however if we used that card we would be short at 2B and have to use a fine, albeit 8 OB Travis Shaw who comes in at 4.47 expected runs. We're technically giving up .03 expected runs in this situation, however we're getting a higher OB, more speed and better defense so I'm happy with the switch out. Cecil Cooper will get one bench spot to give us some extra speed + defense to sub in for Fielder later in games. Burnitz also will get a spot to pinch hit for Nilsson, Cain or Cirillo if you need a bit more power off the bench. There's a bit of a drop off for anyone else and the hitters that are in the next tier all are redundant to what we already have, and so I'm going to load up with 14 pitchers and 11 hitters and roll the dice. I'll add Sutton and Leskanic to give me two more arms with high control (5 and 6 respectively), who come in at 6.50 and 6.56 runs.
And here is Molitor and Shaw in case you'd rather go down that route:
Hitters
SP
RP
All in the lineup comes at a whopping 4,050 points which should come as no surprise, their rotation without Chacin is 2,570 which is just shy of 520 points each, and their bullpen at 1,480 which also is crazy. The bench with all 4 members is 1,460 for a total of 9,560 which is ABSURD. This team definitely belongs in the title conversation. Believe it or not, there's a way we can get this team even better too, in 1970 Tommy Harper had an unreal year starting mostly at 3B, but also playing enough games to get eligibility at 2B and OF, which would be a huge addition for flexibility, and could let us unleash the other Molitor card with less of a draw back. He slashed .296/.377/.522 with 179 hits, 35 doubles, 31 HRs, 82 RBIs and scored 104 runs. Another help could be Lucroy's 2014 season in which he slashed .301/.373/.465 with a league leading 53 doubles, while adding 13 home runs and 69 RBIs behibnd the plate. There have been a few other stand out OF seasons, and Gomez' 2013 might knock Cain out- he slashed .284/.338/.506 for 152 hits, including 27 doubles, 10 triples, 24 HRs, 73 RBIs and racked up 40 steals along the way (although he only walked 37 times in 590 ABs). (NO LONGER THE CASE!!) One shocking no show here is CC Sabathia's 2008 season in which he 2.70 ERA while going 17-10 over 253 innings. I know he got traded there mid year but I think this deserves a card- and if you look at this second half stats it's even more absurd: 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts, with 7 complete games, 128 Ks in 130 IP for an ERA+ of 255. He single handedly willed the Brewers to the playoffs that year. Another card that could help is Ben Sheet's 2004 season, in which he had a stellar 2.70 ERA despite going 12-14 in 34 starts. He managed to rack up 264 Ks over 237 IP to the tune of a 165 ERA+ and led the league in SO/Ws. John Axford actually holds the Brewers record for most saves in a season at 46 in 2011, followed by Francisco Rodriguez and Cordero both having 44. They could definitely add some depth to the bullpen- which is one small weakness this team has. What do you guys think, are you as bought into this team as I am?
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