By Michael Rushton, Writer (My Sportsbook)

2005 FINISH (81-81) - 3rd place (NL Central)

OVERVIEW

A funny thing happened on the way to the conclusion of the 2005 major league baseball season. Milwaukee won some games; 81 of them to be exact. On September 30, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Brewers recorded a 6-5 victory that ensured them their first .500 or better record since finishing 92-70 in 1992. Of course, in true Milwaukee fashion the team finished the season by dropping two games to the last place Pirates, but they did start the season undefeated in their first three games.

Finally, all the years of drafting high and of dumping players for prospects is starting to pay off. Players like Jose Capellan (acquired from the Braves for Danny Kolb), Justin Lehr (acquired from Oakland), Chris Capuano (part of the Richie Sexson deal with Arizona), and Lyle Overbay (also part of the Sexson deal) all made major contributions this season. The future is also bright for the Brewers with J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder all set to anchor the starting lineup for the next couple of years.

Capuano finished the season with an 18-12 record, while recording a 3.99 earned run average in only his second full season in the big leagues. Capellan (2.87 ERA), Matt Wise (3.36 ERA), and Lehr (3.89 ERA) helped anchor a bullpen that was led by waiver wire pickup Derrick Turnbow (39 saves, 1.74 ERA). However, the pitching staff remains centered around ace Ben Sheets (10-9, 3.33), who surprisingly recorded only his second winning season in five campaigns. Sheets did miss time early this season with an ear infection while finishing the year on the 60-day disabled list with a back injury, but remains the Brewers best pitcher nonetheless. The Brewers had the fifth best ERA in the NL at 3.97.

Milwaukee's offense was a season of pleasant surprises. Brady Clark had a career year, registering a .306 batting average with 13 home runs, 94 runs scored, 31 doubles, and 10 stolen bases. Geoff Jenkins, Wes Helms, Bill Hall, Jeff Cirillo and Overbay all batted above .275 with Jenkins supplying some pop with 25 homers and 86 RBI. The team finished with a collective .259 batting average.

PEAK PERFORMER

Carlos Lee was Milwaukee's main contributor on offense. Lee, who was acquired prior to the season from the Chicago White Sox for Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaino, and Travis Hinton, belted 32 home runs while knocking in 114 runs (both career highs) and batting .265. Lee's average could have been better as the outfielder came into the season with a career .288 average, but he emerged as the Brewers' most consistent threat on offense. Lee, who had his 2006 club option exercised in late October, was named to his first All-Star game this season, while breaking the Brewers record for most RBI before the break with 76.

WEAKEST LINK

While the Brewers have some of the pieces in place, the team is far from a complete puzzle. Milwaukee will need to solidify its starting rotation before it can begin to seriously compete. Besides Capuano and Sheets, Doug Davis finished with a decent record of 11-11 with a 3.84 ERA but is still unproven. It doesn't get much better after that. The staff also included Tomo Ohka, who split time between Milwaukee and the Washington Nationals. Ohka was 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA before coming to the Brewers, but he compiled a 7-6 record with a 4.35 earned run average with Milwaukee. Victor Santos was miserable, finishing 4-13 with a 4.57 ERA in 24 starts. The team did give Rick Helling seven starts to finish out the season, and he responded with a 2-1 record while posting a 2.18 ERA in 41 1/3 innings. However, Helling will be 35 next season and is a free agent.

OFF-SEASON NEEDS

Starting pitching should be Milwaukee's biggest off-season concern, while the team could look to add another solid arm or two in the bullpen. A big name No. 2 starter could keep the fans interested next season. In the field, the team appears to be set for next season and will use 2006 to continue looking at the young players fused into the lineup this past season. Third base is probably the only position the team is unsure of and the Brewers could use some outfield depth.

The team will face an interesting off-season with their situation at first base. Fielder looks ready to take over the position full-time, leaving Overbay without a spot. The team could keep both players and continue to platoon, or Overbay could be used in the trade market to obtain pitching help.