I watched a lot of the Cubs/Milwaukee series (I bet on the games each night) and here's a few observations. I also bet the games when Milwaukee was playing San Fran.... so I've been watching them a bit in this young season:
-Prince Fielder looks like he is about to get hot. I hope we can miss the rush that he is about to put on. He looks like he's ready for one of those 4 homer weeks. Swing is starting to come together. Watch for him to get white hot soon.
-I am so unimpressed by Milwaukee's starting pitching. I like their lineup pretty well but talk about giving yourself no chance. Tomorrow night's starter vs. us will be their headliner pretty much, Yovani Gallardo. Of course he's coming off injury (ironically against us) and he is the best they've got. From there we'll face a decent lefty in Manny Parra who will give us fits just becasue he's a lefty, and then Braden Looper who can be solid but is a pretty run of the mill righty. If we can get to the righty Gallardo tomorrow night I like our chances to win this series.
-The Milwaukee bullpen is thin as well. There just aren't arms down there that are impressive to me.
-Hardy and Weeks are pretty good up the middle defensively. I've seen them make several "wow" plays. Better then I thought.
-Ryan Braun is off to a slow start. He's such a good hitter in their 3 spot that you just have to hope he doesn't get healthy until we leave town.
Cubs
-They work counts and are patient at the plate. They drew 4 bases loaded base on balls tonight against the Brewers. We have to throw strikes because they're disciplined as far as the strike zone goes. They won't fish.
-Soriano is on fire and doing everything offensively. Could be a 40 HR year but only 80 RBI from that leadoff spot.
-Marmol should be closing and not Kevin Gregg. Gregg is so shaky and Marmol just has lights out stuff.