Know Your Enemy: An early look at the NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers

Sep 5, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) reacts after striking out in the fifth inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

2014 W-L: 82-80

The Brewers started off 2014 hot and were in first place for most of the first half of the season. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy became an elite catcher, putting up numbers comparable to Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Ryan Braun started the season hot, but tailed off, ending the season with a .266 BA along with an injured thumb, which required surgery.

Starter Kyle Lohse has been the go-to pitcher for the Brew Crew, but he hasn’t put up spectacular numbers. The 31-year-old is in the last year of his contract and will be looking to have a big year to set himself up for one last big payday after the season. Matt Garza is a solid starter who is slightly above average, meaning Wily Peralta will need to step up and elevate his game to be comparable to Lohse if the Brewers don’t want to be stuck near the bottom of the division.

The Brewers added Adam Lind to play first base in the hopes that he can prevent them from sputtering out again, but that most likely will not be enough to bring sustained success over a full season.

Next: Cincinnati Reds