First Pitch

Brewers face Dodgers on 620WTMJ; Braun, Lucroy in must-win mode with USA in WBC

By Jay Sorgi

CREATED Mar. 15, 2013

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  • Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MARYVALE, Ariz. - The Milwaukee Brewers return to the field in spring training action against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but three of their teammates have a much bigger came coming tonight.

Milwaukee faces the Dodgers in expected 90-degree heat.  While you wish some (maybe not all) of it came towards Milwaukee for a chilly weekend, you can listen to Bob Uecker and Joe Block call the game at 2:55 p.m. on Newsradio 620 WTMJ.

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But when the Brewers are done with that game, they'll probably be rooting on three of their teammates in a win-or-go-back-to-Spring Training contest in the World Baseball Classic.

Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and Team USA face Brewers teammate Martin Maldonado Puerto Rico in an elimination game in Miami tonight.

They face the spectre of being knocked out of the international tournament after losing to the Dominican Republic, 3-1, on Thursday.

One Brewers pitcher might be watching that game at his home in Arizona, but is making sure snakes don't get near him.

Mark Rogers explained his phobia of snakes, and his experiences as a kid catching lobsters, with Greg Matzek in Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Just a Bit Outside" feature.

One guy who's joining Rogers in showing promise at the pitching position, a former catcher - Jesus Sanchez.  The Journal Sentinel profiles him.

However, the Milwaukee bullpen could see its problems this year, at least according to a Yahoo! Sports columnist.

Manager Ron Roenicke can already set his pitching staff for April 8th, because he knows who'll his Brewers will face on the mound - Edwin Jackson of the Cubs at Wrigley Field, according to ESPN.