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08-18-2004, 06:45 AM
<b>Winning finish needs 27-19 run</b>
In order to avoid their 12th consecutive losing season, the Milwaukee Brewers will have to post a 27-19 record in their final 46 games.
Impossible?
No.
Improbable?
You be the judge.
One month ago, the Brewers had a 46-42 record and were tied for third place in the National League Central Division, 31/2 games behind St. Louis.
Since then, the Brewers have lost 20 of 28 games and currently reside in last place, 22 games behind the Cardinals. The Brewers are a season-high eight games below .500 (54-62) and have won just one of their last 11 series.
"We have a month and a half to go," closer Dan Kolb said. "I think everybody needs to take a look at themselves and start putting a little effort back into winning.
"We've kind of lost that edge that we had or that feeling that we had. We've got to get that back."
The schedule will not make things easy.
The Brewers play six of their next nine games against the Chicago Cubs, who are battling for a wild-card berth and will send Carlos Zambrano, Matt Clement and Greg Maddux to the mound as starters in a three-game series beginning Tuesday night at Miller Park.
The Brewers also will play six games this month against Philadelphia, the only team in the National League they haven't faced yet this season.
The Brewers will play seven games against both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, which also is trying to avoid a last-place finish and a 12th consecutive losing season. The Pirates have defeated Milwaukee nine times in 12 meetings this season.
The Brewers have eight games left against St. Louis, three against San Francisco, six against Houston and three against lowly Arizona.
The Brewers have not had a winning season since 1992, when they went 92-70 under first-year manager Phil Garner and got contributions from Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, who have since been enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Milwaukee's and Pittsburgh's runs of 11 straight losing seasons are the longest current droughts in the major American professional sports. Only six franchises in major-league history have posted more than 12 consecutive losing seasons, led by the Phillies, who lost 16 straight years from 1933-'48.
In order to avoid their 12th consecutive losing season, the Milwaukee Brewers will have to post a 27-19 record in their final 46 games.
Impossible?
No.
Improbable?
You be the judge.
One month ago, the Brewers had a 46-42 record and were tied for third place in the National League Central Division, 31/2 games behind St. Louis.
Since then, the Brewers have lost 20 of 28 games and currently reside in last place, 22 games behind the Cardinals. The Brewers are a season-high eight games below .500 (54-62) and have won just one of their last 11 series.
"We have a month and a half to go," closer Dan Kolb said. "I think everybody needs to take a look at themselves and start putting a little effort back into winning.
"We've kind of lost that edge that we had or that feeling that we had. We've got to get that back."
The schedule will not make things easy.
The Brewers play six of their next nine games against the Chicago Cubs, who are battling for a wild-card berth and will send Carlos Zambrano, Matt Clement and Greg Maddux to the mound as starters in a three-game series beginning Tuesday night at Miller Park.
The Brewers also will play six games this month against Philadelphia, the only team in the National League they haven't faced yet this season.
The Brewers will play seven games against both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, which also is trying to avoid a last-place finish and a 12th consecutive losing season. The Pirates have defeated Milwaukee nine times in 12 meetings this season.
The Brewers have eight games left against St. Louis, three against San Francisco, six against Houston and three against lowly Arizona.
The Brewers have not had a winning season since 1992, when they went 92-70 under first-year manager Phil Garner and got contributions from Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, who have since been enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Milwaukee's and Pittsburgh's runs of 11 straight losing seasons are the longest current droughts in the major American professional sports. Only six franchises in major-league history have posted more than 12 consecutive losing seasons, led by the Phillies, who lost 16 straight years from 1933-'48.