The Milwaukee Brewers send Ben Sheets to the mound at Wrigley Field in Chicago today against the Cubs Carlos Zambrano in the 2008 season opener. Rain is in the forecast, which could make getting the game in difficult.
Sheets makes his 6th opening day start. He's 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in opening day starts.
The Brewers finished the 2007 season with an 83-79 record, finishing 2-games behind the first place Cubs in the NL Central. It marked the first winning season for the Brewers since the 1992 campaign (92-70). The Brewers went 51-30 at home last season, but struggled on the road, finishing 32-49.
Ned Yost (pictured) returns for his 6th season as Brewers manager. His career managerial record stands at 374-435 (.462).
New to the Brewers roster this season are RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Guillermo Mota, RHP David Riske, RHP Salomon Torres, OF Mike Cameron, OF Gabe Kapler and C Jason Kendall.
Today's scheduled 1:20 start is the first of six schedule day games to start the season. The Brewers won't play a night game until next Tuesday in Cincinnati against the Reds.
The Brewers will make team history when Ben Sheets bats eighth in the lineup. It will mark the first time ever that a Brewers pitcher batted anywhere but ninth in the starting lineup.
The Brewers are 75-79 all-time against the Cubs, including a 6-9 mark last year.
Listen / Download – Ned Yost knows his team can win now. :17