West Coast road trips in baseball, basketball and hockey can define a season as a team comes down the stretch. I remember writing a similar thing about Milwaukee Bucks when they started out West in mid-March fighting to get back into the playoff race. This is an exciting time for a Brewers fan being only one game back of Chicago Cubs with this nine-game road trip looming. On August 28th, we’ll be saying this team rose to the occasion, or it’s a discussion about needing a hot September for a chance. Which will it be? A true sink or swim moment for the team.

Looking at this, we need to focus on the first two series versus the last one against the Los Angeles Dodgers who are in another world. I said on the podcast this week, “Brewers need to go 6-2 including Pittsburgh to have cushion for a bad weekend in Los Angeles.’ I stand by that. Milwaukee already has two wins and needs four to achieve this goal which means likely winning both series. While I want to say San Francisco should be the one to bank on, I worry about Milwaukee not being able to hit homers out of the there might affect things, therefore, maybe, the Colorado series benefits this ball club with the ability to hit home runs. Then again, Matt Garza is pitching in Coors tonight… Good luck.

If Brewers position themselves to be able to deal with a sweep against Los Angeles, it’s a great success. Even though Milwaukee played well in Dodgers Stadium in the past, this team is on another level. Brewers lost two of three at Miller Park where they could have swept this team. If Brewers win two of three in Chavez Revine, they make a major statement for the month of September.

Unfortunately, Cubs get quite an easy schedule during Milwaukee’s time on the West Coast. After a weekend series at home versus Blue Jays, Chicago plays Cincinnati and Philadelphia on the road. Cubs could easily go 7-2 in this nine-game stretch, and Milwaukee has to keep pace. St. Louis doesn’t give you much hope either with three against Pittsburgh (Won last night there), then a six-game homestand against San Diego and Tampa Bay before heading to Milwaukee. Brewers likely know they will need to keep winning to keep up with their rivals in the NL Central.

Everything will begin at Coors Field tonight around 7:45 with Garza facing off against German Marquez. You want to get the first game off on the right foot, but in order for that to happen, I think Milwaukee will need 10-15 runs tonight in order to keep pace with Rockies.

Charlie.