2 MILWAUKEE BREWERS

consistent playing time, he is a former top prospect who hit .308 in the minors and is still only 23. He’s fighting to win the shortstop job and live up to his prospect status. BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: What will the Brewers get from Lorenzo

Cain upon his return from opting out of last season for COVID-19 concerns? It’s also a crowded outfield after the Brewers signed Jackie Bradley Jr. late toputhiminthemixwith Yelich and Avisail Garcia. HOW IT’LL GO DOWN:

Craig Counsell has managed the Brewers to the postseason in three straight years and they could make it four if their deep pitching staff lives up to its potential. The rotation may not have an established ace, though Brandon Woodruff could be on his way there and Corbin Burnes flashed it last season.

Josh Hader and NL Rookie of the Year Devin Williams lead what could be one of the league’s top bullpens. It’ll take some bounce-back performances from the Brewers’ big hitters to make them a factor.

O/U WINS: 83.5 KEY PLAYER:

After being the NL MVP in 2018 and runner-up in

2019, Christian

Yelich (right) had a 2020 to forget, batting just .205 with an 111 OPSplus. If the

162-game season in 2021 allows him to get back to being himself, the Brewers can make a run for the division.

PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: Keston Hiura. The one-time top prospect will be moving from second base to first base to make room for free-agent signing Kolten Wong.

But it’s Hiura’s swing that made him an alluring prospect and he’ll be looking to get it back after batting just .212 with an 88 OPS-plus and 80 strikeouts in 59 games last year. NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: The Brewers acquired middle infielder Luis Urias from the Padres in 2019, and while he has struggled to get

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Kolten Wong CF Lorenzo Cain LF Christian Yelich 1B Keston Hiura RF Jackie Bradley Jr. COmarNarvaez 3B Travis Shaw SS Orlando Arcia

ROTATION

RHP Brandon Woodruff RHP Corbin Burnes RHP Adrian Houser LHP Brett Anderson LHP Freddy Peralta