An abbreviated spring tune-up didn’t seem to bother Shaun Marcum much last night.  It hasn’t troubled Corey Hart, either. 

Of course, it’s early.  Really early.

A full spring tune-up hasn’t seemed to help Milwaukee’s fielding and baserunning.

Of course, it’s early.  Really early.

After four games of the 2012 regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers have proven little other than puzzling.  Last night’s less than comfortable down the stretch victory over the Chicago Cubs was a brilliant display of the Milwaukee riddle. 

En route to a 7-5 triumph at Wrigley Field, the Crew dropped down beautiful bunts, stole bases, sacrificed in teammates…they manufactured runs with unthinkable (by Brewers standards) station-to-station baseball.  They also made boneheaded baserunning mistakes that cost the team runs; they booted balls in the field; they threw to the wrong bases.  I am genuinely bewildered by a team that can do the little things so right and so glaringly wrong.

Of course, it’s early.  Really early.  But without sounding like an alarmist, for I am not concerned about this team’s fortunes this season – I think they have 95 wins in ‘em - shouldn’t some of this stuff be at its sharpest when the season is at its earliest? Then again, it's Wrigley Field, and weird stuff always seems to happen at Wrigley Field.

Go Crew.