To put it in the nicest way possible, the Milwaukee Brewers are struggling. The pitching is doing fine, but it's the hitting that has been horrendous.
The Crew are batting .224, which ranks 12th in the National League. They are second to last in hits with only 116. Something needs to be done to in order to get this team going.
The Milwaukee Brewers organization aren't known to make quick drastic actions, with the exception of firing manager Ned Yost with two weeks remaining in the season. However, the Brewers must be drastic now.
Here are three things the Brewers must do if they want a chance to defend their National League Central crown.
3. Fire Johnny Narron
The Brewers couldn't hit a beach ball if they tried right now. Even though the players are the ones at fault, hitting coach Johnny Narron should take the fall.
I'm not saying Narron is the reason that Brewers hitters have gotten off to such a rotten start. From what I've heard, Narron has worked long hours to try and figure it out himself. But someone must be the scapegoat. After coming over from Texas, Narron has just not done what he did with the Rangers. Maybe the Brewers aren't responding to his methods and just aren't buying in.
Releasing Narron of his duties will get the players attention. They'll realize they need to get going or other coaches, if not manager Ron Roenicke, will begin to disappear as well. Sometimes a change is exactly what a team needs.
A team with players like Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, and Aramis Ramirez should not be hitting the ball this poorly.
A change is needed.
2. Bench Nyjer Morgan...for Now
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After having a brilliant season in 2011, Nyjer Morgan is slumping. Actually, slumping is putting it gently. Morgan is having a season that would get him cut from a high school junior varsity team. Too harsh? Maybe. But look at his stats.
Morgan is batting a mere .119 with no runs batted in. He only has three hits in his last 10 games. Morgan plays exclusively against right-handers but they even seem to be giving him hell. Milwaukee only has so much patience for the left-handed center fielder, and that patience has run out.
If the Brewers don't want Carlos Gomez facing right-handed pitchers, Norichika Aoki must be inserted into the lineup when opposing righties. Aoki has made the most of his playing time with the Brewers and is ready to do more. He is batting .333 with one home run and two runs batted in. He's done more than enough to overtake Morgan in center.
Ron Roenicke starting to lose faith in Morgan. In the past three games versus a right-handed pitcher, Aoki has started two of them.
Until Morgan gets on track, the Brewers should continue playing Aoki.
1. Have Corey Hart Bat Cleanup
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Corey Hart has been the only Brewer that has been consistent to start the year. Plus, he got off to such a torrid start. Meanwhile, Aramis Ramirez is doing nothing to help the club.
Ramirez comes into tonight's game batting .158 with one home run and six batted in; not exactly what you want from your cleanup man. Hart, on the other hand, is batting .260 with four home runs and nine runs batted in. It was only until recently that Hart's batting average began to dip. Hart is showing more power than Ramirez and is connecting with more clutch hits.
A switch of the lineup card could do wonders for the Brewers. It may take a little pressure off Ramirez, as he is still getting comfortable in Milwaukee. This could also benefit Ryan Braun as well. If Hart produces behind Braun, pitchers will give the former MVP better pitches to hit.
Until Ramirez produces the way he is capable of, Roenicke must seriously consider switching him and Hart around. It could be just what the Brewers need.
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