The smell of bratwursts and beer drifted through downtown Milwaukee today as the Milwaukee Brewers opened the season at Miller Park.  While I was not able to find a ticket for this traditional Milwaukee (and state) holiday, I watched and/or listed to the entire game.  The Brewers lost to the Colorado Rockies 5-3 , but nearly managed to tie it in the 9th.  Here are some random thoughts about the 2010 Brewers that popped into my head while enjoying the game.

Someone needs to step up and fill the 5-hole. I’ve always been a Jim Edmonds fan (except when he was beating the Brewers), but his best years are behind him.  Someone needs to step up early in the season to give Prince Fielder some protection in the lineup.  If no one does by the All-Star Break, fielder will never see a pitch to hit when the game is close. Corey Hart and Casey McGehee, I’m looking at you.

Both the Brewers and Twins will benefit from the Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy trade. Gomez had an incredible first game with the Brewers, going 4-5, with a solo home run and 2 runs.  Minnesota doesn’t play until later tonight, but I think the change of scenery will benefit former Brewer Hardy as well.

Defense – it’s good, the Brewers should try it. The Brewers had 2 errors and looked and looked slightly pitiful at times while on the field.  That might be acceptable if rookies were starting in key positions, but alas this is a veteran group.  Most were by two players – Greg Zaun and Casey McGehee.  Step it up guys.

At least the middle is secure (in front of the plate). There was much made about changes to the center of the defense in the offseason.  Would Rickie Weeks be healthy?  Could Alcides Escobar handle the majors?  What about Gomez in center field?  Defensively the Brewers looked spectacular up the middle.  Escobar and Weeks might be the best 2B and SS combo since Robin Yount and Jim Gantner.  Gomez has a rocket arm and great speed in center.

Bring back Damian Miller! Behind the plate in game 1 was another story.  New catcher Greg Zaun is another veteran past his prime.  His roll will be limited due to rookie catcher George Kottaras.  Still, Zaun had multiple errors behind the plate today.  The Brewers were looking for someone cheap who could give them about 90 games – why not Miller?  He’s a fan favorite, from Wisconsin, and will only play for the Brewers.  Also he would have gotten at least one hit (a guy can dream).

Gallardo can be rattled. In the second inning, Zaun let a pitch get away from him, allowing a run to score from second.  Gallardo was visually a bit rattled, and threw the next pitch over the plate.  Ian Stewart belted it out of the park to give Colorado a 2-0 lead.  He’s no Carlos Zambrano, but I hope he can get it in check.

Uecker makes baseball awesome. During the game, Brewers announcer Bob Uecker told the story of how Colorado second baseman Clint Barmes fell down the stairs while carrying a deer into his apartment.

“They never did tell us if the deer was alive,” quipped Uecker.

There are still a lot of question on the season to answer – including the big one, pitching – but hey, that’s what those other 161 games are for.

What are your thoughts/concerns about the Brewers in 2010?