Tough early slate will test Brewers

PHOENIX - The biggest questions for the Milwaukee Brewers entering spring training involved the right side of their infield. Who would start at first base and who would start at second base?
As it turned out, those were multiple-choice answers. The Brewers added veterans Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay to their roster, and the duo will share first base duties. Manager Ron Roenicke opted not to declare a winner at second base, where veteran Rickie Weeks and newcomer Scooter Gennett will share time.
Keeping two players at those positions limited what the Brewers could do with the rest of their bench. They will carry only one extra outfielder, Logan Schafer, and one utility infielder, Jeff Bianchi.
The only other competition came in the bullpen, where there were a few surprises. Left-hander Wei-Chung Wang, a 21-year-old Rule 5 draft pick who has not pitched above rookie ball, will be on the season-opening roster. Veteran lefty Zach Duke, a non-roster player and former starting pitcher, also made the pen.
In fact, the Brewers will open the season with three left-handed relievers, a first for Roenicke. Lefty Will Smith, acquired over the winter from Kansas City, probably will pitch in high-leverage situations after a strong spring.
As expected, the switch from left field to right field went smoothly for Ryan Braun, who played well in the spring after a troubled 2013 season that included a 65-game suspension for his involvement with the Biogenesis performance-enhancing-drug scandal. Braun looks ready to be an offensive force again, and opening left field gives budding power hitter Khris Davis a chance to prove he can be a regular contributor.
The Brewers feel good about their starting pitching, an area of the team that failed badly early in 2013. Free agent acquisition Matt Garza had some tough outings in the early spring but said he was building toward the season and looked much better of late.
The Brewers had a healthy camp, a much-needed development after an injury-marred 2013 season. There was one late glitch when shortstop Jean Segura came down with a sore shoulder, keeping him off the field in late March.
The Brewers aren’t sure if Segura will be ready to play in the field by Opening Day, Monday in Milwaukee against the Atlanta Braves. If not, the possibility exists that he will open the season on the 15-day disabled list, which can be backdated 10 days into spring training.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the Brewers’ early schedule. The month of April is full of 90-game winners from 2013, including Atlanta, the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
In other words, Milwaukee must play well to avoid getting off to a poor start.