2001 Record: 68-94, 4th in NL Central 2001 Results | 2002 Schedule | 2002 Roster | 2001 Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 740 runs (11th) Home: 374 runs (8th) Road: 366 (12th) 806 runs allowed (11th) Home: 4.58 ERA (12th) Road: 4.70 ERA (11th) 2001 Stats Leaders   Average: Richie Sexson, .271 Runs: Jeromy Burnitz, 104 On-base pct: Burnitz, .347 Stolen bases: Devon White, 18 Wins: Ben Sheets, Jamey Wright, 11 Saves: Curtis Leskanic, 17 Home runs: Sexson, 45 RBI: Sexson, 125 Slugging pct.: Sexson, .547 OPS: Sexson, 889 ERA: Sheets, 4.76 Strikeouts: Wright, 129

ESPN's Take Q: Will the Brewers break .500 for the first time since 1992? It's all predicated on their pitching. They'll score some runs. This spring, the Brewers were able to hammer on mediocre pitching, while they struggled to hit good pitching. But the Brewers' overall success or failure will depend on the success or failure of their pitchers -- their bullpen is deep enough, but their starters have some question marks. Ben Sheets had a great first half last year, then fell apart. They love Nick Neugebauer, but he's coming along slowly after shoulder surgery. -- Dave Campbell  Jayson Stark's Crystal Ball Davey Lopes will be the first National League manager fired. Look past the 178 strikeouts. Remember, this is fantasy. Richie Sexson might be the next guy to hit 50 HRs. Sexson hit 45 homers in '01 and didn't kill anyone with his average, so prepare to spend on him. While Curtis Leskanic is coming off arm surgery and Chad Fox seems to always have some issue with his elbow, Mike DeJean quietly had a very solid season in Brewtown last year. Someone has to close, and DeJean is looking better and better to get a shot. -- Eric Karabell Batting order Eric Young, 2B Jeffrey Hammonds, CF Geoff Jenkins, LF Richie Sexson, 1B Alex Ochoa, RF Jose Hernandez, SS Houston / Loretta / Belliard, 3B Raul Casanova, C Bench Lenny Harris, Luis Lopez, Ryan Christenson, Midre Cummings Rotation Ben Sheets, Jamey Wright, Glendon Rusch, Ruben Quevedo, Nick Neugebauer / Paul Rigdon Bullpen Mike DeJean, Luis Vizcaino, Jose Cabrera, Ray King, Valerio de los Santos Bill Hall, SS Combines power and speed at the shortstop position. If he improves his defense, could land in the majors in short time.

Catcher: Raul Casanova With Henry Blanco traded to the Braves, the starting spot is now all Casanova's. Considered a much better offensive player than defensive player, Casanova has never played more than 101 games in any of his five previous years in the majors. Position Ranking: 16th First Base: Richie Sexson Was his 45-homer, 125-RBI season a year ago an aberration? We don't think so. Count on last year's numbers becoming the ordinary for him. Position Ranking: 4th Second Base: Eric Young Signed as a free agent in the offseason, will assume the leadoff spot in the batting order. And with manager Davey Lopes' love for the running game, expect to see Young moving on the basepaths plenty this season. Position Ranking: 9th Third Base: Houston / Loretta / Belliard Houston is the best defensive player of the three, and may get the most playing time. Belliard lost his spot at second base with the signing of Young and is at a disadvantage at third base as he's never played the position on the big-league level. Position Ranking: 11th Shortstop: Jose Hernandez Tied for the major-league lead in strikeouts in 2001 (185), but other than that did put up decent offensive numbers (25 homers, 78 RBI). Won't be challenged by anyone to lose this spot. Position Ranking: 10th Left Field: Geoff Jenkins Coming off an injury-plagued season in which he hit just .264 while striking out 120 times in 397 at-bats. If Brewers are going to approach .500 level, they're going to need much more production out of their No. 3 hitter. Position Ranking: 9th Center Field: Jeffrey Hammonds Signed as their one big free agent last year, but played in only 49 games due to a shoulder injury. Hasn't played in more than 123 games in any one season during his career. Tough to have to count on him, but the Brewers are forced to. Position Ranking: 12th Right Field: Alex Ochoa Returns to Milwaukee after having spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Reds and Rockies. Doesn't come close to replacing the production of the departed Jeromy Burnitz. Position Ranking: 13th No. 1 Starter: Ben Sheets In just his second season in the majors and is already the staff ace. Had a fantastic start to his rookie year (10-5, 3.59 in the first half), but was a big disappointment after the All-Star break (1-5, 7.06). Ranking among starters: 31st No. 2 Starter: Glendon Rusch The main attraction acquired by the Brewers in their three-team swap with the Mets and Rockies in the offseason. Was less than impressive last season (8-12, 4.63), but is just 27. Ranking among starters: 32nd No. 3 Starter: Ruben Quevedo Acquired from the Cubs in the David Weathers trade at last year's trade deadline. Was impressive in Triple-A last year (9-5, 2.99 with 150 strikeouts in 141.2 IP), but wasn't quite as successful once he joined the Brewers' rotation (4-5, 4.61 in 10 starts). Could be a steal, but needs to keep his weight under control. Ranking among starters: 43rd No. 4 Starter: Jamey Wright Tied with Sheets for the team lead in wins with 11. And much like Sheets had a poor second half (3-7, 6.70). Ranking among starters: 52nd Bullpen: Jose Cabrera, Ray King, Valerio de los Santos, Paul Rigdon It all depends on who the closer will be to see which of the other pitchers make up the middle-relief contingent. As for the known middle relievers, King is a perfect situational lefty while de los Santos, also a lefty, is an unknown in that he missed all of last season with an elbow injury. Position Ranking: 11th Closer: Mike DeJean / Luis Vizcaino DeJean takes over as the closer as both Chad Fox and Curtis Leskanic will begin the season on the disabled list. DeJean spent the entire 2001 season with the Brewers in a set-up role and was rather effective in posting a 2.78 ERA. Vizcaino could also get some save opportunities. Position Ranking: 14th

Overall Power Index Rankings (NL rank):
Position: 10.50 (15th) | Pitching: 12.17 (13th)

-- Matt Szefc