Brewers: Without Sheets, less Parra to ya

I've grown tired of picking the same team every year and watching them unravel the same way at the end each time. I used to pick the Kansas City Chiefs for the Super Bowl almost every year under Dick Vermeil, and despite a top-notch offense they never even won a playoff game. I've started a similar trend with the Milwaukee Brewers, who at least finally broke the .500 barrier last season in narrowly missing the postseason for about the 50th straight season (actually it's only been since 1982, which just feels like 50 years because the Brewers haven't made the playoffs in my lifetime).

The Brewers have at least one bonafide superstar in ace starting pitcher Ben Sheets, who has been absolutely lights-out thus far. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are certainly stars-in-the-making for a potent Brewers lineup, but Sheets is the key for Milwaukee if they are to have any shot at a rare NL Central title. Sheets has spent far too much time on the DL the last three seasons, crippling an otherwise-mediocre Brewers rotation. This year's current staff also includes 2006 NLCS MVP Jeff Suppan, David Bush, and youngsters Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra. The return of Gallardo brings much hope, but once again it's all about the Benjamin.

The prospect of Sheets being a dominant ace in a playoff series for Milwaukee is enticing because the rest of the Brewers' rotation is certainly competent to hold up its end and make them a legitimate title contender. They have no problem scoring runs, although holding leads is a concern with a shaky bullpen. But if Sheets is on his game, none of that would even matter. When healthy and thriving, Big Ben might be the best pitcher in all of baseball. For a franchise that hasn't played October baseball in 25 years, not having him out there is basically a death sentence.