The Milwaukee Brewers dropped another close one today, losing 8-1 to the Atlanta Braves at Miller Park. Many Brewers fans, our own writer Sonny included, have been calling for the head of Ned Yost. Almost as useless as Yost is the fat troll hitting in the middle of the Brewers lineup, Prince Fielder. If you’re as unlucky as I am and own Prince Fielder in your fantasy baseball league, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re a Brewers fan, you know what I’m talking about. If you like watching fat guys hit towering home runs, you know what I’m talking about.

At this time last year, Prince had nailed 17 round trippers, had 40 rbi’s, and was hitting .290. This year, Prince has 6 home runs, 25 rbi’s, and is hitting. 270. What’s the problem? Prince decided to swear off meat in the off-season, opting for the vegetarian lifestyle. I don’t think I could find a clearer example of why incredible power hitters shouldn’t become vegetarians. In fact, I’m on the verge of booking a flight to Milwaukee this coming week to buy a few rib eyes to shove down his throat. What happened to the 12 year old who could hit shots on top of Tiger Stadium? What happened to the Batman to Ryan Braun’s Robin? Why am I so inclined to call him Princess Fielder?

The Crew have had their share of problems this season with various other aspects of their team. Eric Gagne’s mind is warped, Ned Yost’s mind is still sitting at home in the glass case he keeps it in, and Prince lost his power. This is like watching a live version of Space Jam, except instead of Mugsy Bogues and Patrick Ewing not being able to handle the rock, it’s Prince Fielder forgetting what to do with an inside fastball. Get it together!

Sonny first found this video posted by the guys over at Right Field Bleachers but it is far too great not to repost again here. What you will see is a cup stacking competition on the head of some poor passed out guy. Nothing quite like being too drunk to even hear the cheers and moans of an entire section around you as they put Pepsi cups on your head.

Hosts: Sonny, Ryan and Rich: This episode focused entirely on the National League Central. With Kosuke Fukudome now in Chicago, can the North Siders make it two division titles in a row? Or will the Milwaukee Brewers’ youth movement come to fruition with a division crown? Also, what can we expect from the talented youngsters in Cincinnati? Can they challenge for the crown this year? Or will Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols get back to the forefront of the division. All of this and more on the Sportable Spot.

Note: We’ve recorded our podcasts for the AL Central and AL East. They will be posted in a few days after we complete the NL West team previews.

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Crew looks to make playoffs after 15 year slump. The Milwaukee Brewers have the roster and the athleticism to clinch a playoff spot this season. The real question, however, is whether or not Ned Yost can make that “giant step.” With a lineup full of potential all stars and a new look bullpen, the Brewers will try to steal the division back from the Cubs.

Bats. Milwaukee, in my opinion, has one of the best lineups in the entire division. But it is also a young and very inexperienced one. Questions primarily focus around whether Ryan Braun, Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks can perform for an entire year. I think it is safe to say Prince Fielder will get his and veteran outfielder Mike Cameron will add his power here and there. Ryan Braun has to stay hot and continue to grab the attention of America. If he can stay relaxed in the outfield, Braun will feel even more comfortable at the plate.

The Brewers do have some holes especially at the bottom of their order. Jason Kendall can’t be counted on and J.J. Hardy had a fluke year. I don’t think Hardy will revert to his .240 average from 2006, but he won’t be making the All Star Game either. Another major flaw of the Crew is that they rely a hell of a lot of the long ball and nothing else. If they can’t hit bombs, Bernie Brewer will most likely be taking another early fall vacation.

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Hosts: Sonny, Rich, and Ryan

In this episode, Sonny, Ryan, and I break down the week in sports, hitting on the topics that are dominating the headlines. Is Tim Donaghy just the tip of the iceberg in the referee betting scandal? What is Roger Goodell supposed to do now that Mike Vick faces jail time? What’s going on with the Brewers? All this and more on this episode of the Sportable Spot.

You can find this episode here. (Download mp3)

On May 24th, 2007 I was lucky enough to watch Ryan Braun’s Major League debut at Petco Park. I knew Braun had tremendous power and talent just from his stint in the minors. Through the minors Braun was given the nickname “The Hebrew Hammer” due to his Jewish background. Now, as Braun settles in with the Brewers, the young third basemen is reaching totals that only Albert Pujols has touched before.

Ryan Braun doesn’t appear to have the physical tools that would allow him to hit home runs at this pace. In fact, the first time I saw him up close, he appeared to be a skinny kid from California that more or less looked like a twig. Comparing him to Albert Pujols, the Cardinals first baseman has him beat on muscular strength. Or does he? Pujols hit his 15th career home run in his 49th game. Braun did it in his 50th! And would you believe Braun has a slugging percentage of .665 through July 27th, which makes him number one overall in that category? That is the first time a rookie, yet alone a 23 year old, has led that stat since Pujols and the great Willie Mays.

The Hebrew Hammer is definitely making a name for himself. Braun now has 18 home runs in 56 games since being called up in late May. The kid is also batting over .350 and already has 49 rbi’s. Not to take anything away from Met’s third baseman and All-Star David Wright, but Braun might be better. Wright played in 160 games in his rookie year. He hit 27 home runs. In 2007, Wright has 18 home runs in 101 games. Braun has that same exact total in about 50 less games played.

Simply put, Ryan Braun is a beast. It’s down right scary for other teams to face him. Prince Fielder is the huge emerging marketing star in Milwaukee but Ryan Braun will certainly give him a run for his money in the Miller Park clubhouse. If you’re reading this article and are opening up another window to pick Ryan Braun up in your fantasy league, it’s probably too late. Also, if Ryan Braun doesn’t win Rookie of the Year for some reason, look for the entire city of Milwaukee to riot. Honestly, even if Hunter Pence was healthy, Braun would have him beat in every statistical category. I guess I have just one thing left to say. What if more people know about Ryan Braun?