...But it's only August!

That doesn't matter.  This upcoming series between the Brewers and Cardinals is going to be HUGE.  Milwaukee currently holds a three game lead on second place St. Louis, and the last time these two teams met, tensions were high and altercations were on the horizon.  Even the batboys were about to run out onto the field and start swingin' at each other.

The series will kick off tonight with the crew's Shaun Marcum (10-3) facing the Cardinal's Edwin Jackson (8-8) who was absolutely shelled by the Brewers the last team these two teams squared off, giving up 14 hits and 10 runs, 8 of which were earned.  The Brewers won the series, taking two of three from St. Louis.

This time around, the Brewers leave their humble abode where they have won a league tying best 41 contests, with the only other team with as many wins being the Phillies.  The Brewers however have plenty to prove on the road, having the league's worst away record of 24-35.

Having said that, the crew have rallied recently and have claimed eleven of their last twelve, making them the hottest team in the National League.

How have they done it? Quite frankly, they are smashing the ball all over the park right now with hot hitters Corey Hart and Yuniesky Betancourt leading the way.  Milwaukee was in desperate need of life after losing All-Star second basemen Rickie Weeks to a serious ankle injury, especially considering the crew's top utility player and backup Craig Counsell had been in a jaw-dropping 0-45 slump.

Since losing Weeks on July 27, Hart and Betancourt have combined for 33 hits, 12 runs and 19 RBIs in ten games.  They have been seeing the ball well and have really picked up the slack after both players had a slow start to the season.

But the next couple nights won't be easy.  Leaving Miller Park and winning is something that the Brewers, well, can't do.  Busch Stadium will be no exception, and it will be a hostile environment, no doubt.

St. Louis has been the class of the NL Central for some time now, solely due to the fact that they have won championships.  If Milwaukee wants to be a legitimate contender come October and show their true potential, now is the time to go out on the road and beat the best.