Outperforming the Critics

I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find a single publication willing to predict that the Brewers would win the NL Central in 2010.

The best case scenario was that they would challenge the Cubs for the NL Wild Card.  Worst case had them finishing 5th in the division, behind the Astros and (gasp) the Reds.

Come on now.  This team is better than that.  And just like I thought they wouldn't be as good in 2009 as they were in 2008, this team this year is good enough to win this division.

My take on the 10 things that need to happen for the Crew' to contend:

Note:  I'm not including Braun and Fielder on this list, they've been consistent enough that we can rely on them already.

1)  Back end of the rotation needs to hold up.  (You could make all of these about the pitching being better, but lets just start here)
2)  Alcides Escobar is a competent #2 hitter.  (And Carlos Gomez can get on base as a lead-off hitter)
3)  Casey McGehee proves he's not a one-year wonder.  (This one scares me.  All of a sudden he's good after being discarded by other teams in the past?)
4)  Corey Hart returns to anything close to the form he was during the first half of 2008.
5)  Trevor Hoffmann continues to beat Father Time
6)  Rickie Weeks stops tearing tendons in his wrist from those violent swings.
7)  Greg Zaun provides anything at the plate (That's a knock on you Kendall)
8)  Ken Macha doesn't lose his team like he seemed to do during his tenure at Oakland.
9)  Miller Park's rabid fans carry the team to 3-4 extra wins from their noise.
10)The Cards superstar pitchers break down, the Cubs internally implode, the Reds young players don't develop, and the Astros continue to be stuck in mediocrity.  And the Pirates....wait, who are we kidding?