Brewers pitchers, catchers set to thaw out in Arizona

Cactus Crew (⬆️ UP)

In case you didn’t hear, or you’re frozen inside your Wisconsin home, the Brewers pitchers and catchers report to spring training in sunny Phoenix, Ariz., on Thursday. Must. Be. Nice.

Spring Training is here! #CactusCrew pic.twitter.com/OXBj76Ihfv

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) February 17, 2021

Third base in Milwaukee (➡️ EVEN)

The Brewers were reportedly in the mix to sign former All-Star third baseman Justin Turner, but he opted to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The question mark at third base in Milwaukee remains. Will it be Daniel Robertson or Luis Urias getting the bulk of the work in the hot corner? To make things cloudier (although, potentially more competitive, which is never a bad thing), Milwaukee signed Travis Shaw to a minor-league deal. He’ll have a chance to fight for the position he held in Milwaukee from 2017-19.

Pat Connaughton, Bucks guard (⬆️ UP)

Things have been quiet this season on Planet Pat, but the 28-year-old guard exploded for a season-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting Tuesday night against Toronto. He did most of the damage in the first half, racking up 18 points on four 3-pointers while also adding three blocks in just eight minutes on the floor.

Badgers men’s basketball (➡️ EVEN)

Wisconsin doesn’t have any bad losses on its resume, but the Badgers also are still searching for a signature win. The Badgers have lost their last four games against ranked opponents. Wisconsin’s ranked wins over then-No. 12 Michigan State, then-No. 21 Minnesota and then-No. 23 Louisville don’t hold much water now that all three times have plummeted out of the AP top-25 poll. The Badgers have three games against ranked opponents remaining on their schedule: a pair of clashes against No. 11 Iowa (Feb. 18, March 7) and a home tilt against No. 5 Illinois (Feb. 27).

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks forward (⬇️ DOWN)

What’s strange about Milwaukee’s uncharacteristic four-game skid is Antetokounmpo has been playing out of his mind. The Greek Freak is averaging 33.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in those four losses. So, why is he trending down? The back-to-back MVP would be the first to tell you his stats don’t matter much, only wins do.

J.J. Watt, former Badgers defensive end (⬆️ UP)

Watt was released by Houston on Friday and is now a free agent. Early signs point to his experience in free agency being “wild.” That means he’s coming to Green Bay, right?