PHOENIX -- When the Brewers and Cubs met for the first time this spring, fans in Arizona got a preview of what many expect to be a battle for the National League Central Division title.
The Brewers traveled to Ho Ho Kam Park and beat the Cubs, 10-6, in Cactus League play Tuesday in Mesa. Mike Cameron, who will eventually play center field for the Brewers, and Tony Gwynn, who may start the season there while Cameron serves a 25-game suspension, each homered. Gabe Gross hit one in the 10th inning that sent the Brewers to the victory.
"We are developing a rivalry with them," first baseman Prince Fielder said earlier in camp about the Cubs. "It's fun to play them because the crowds are big and the intensity is there."
Last season, the Brewers battled the Cubs into the last weekend of the season before Chicago took the division title. Milwaukee meets the Cubs two more times in Arizona and then opens the regular season March 31 at Wrigley Field. The two teams also end the regular season at Miller Park on Sept. 26-28.
"That could be a great series, especially if we're fighting it out with them for the division," Fielder said.
The Cubs have added fuel to the fire this spring by talking about "winning it all" in the National League.
"We have it," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "There's swagger here, there really is. Swagger is confidence. That's all it is. It's a confidence that we're good and we intend on playing good, that's all it is. There's swagger in this camp. They have to back it up on the field, but these kids feel good about themselves and they feel good about what they did last year.
"I look at it that I've got a good team this year. I think it's a team that can win this division, and give ourselves a chance at the post-season. Nothing more, nothing less. What I'm looking for is a team that can win 90-plus games, an improvement from the 85 (in 2007)."
The Cubs do have bragging rights because they won it last year. But, hey, Lou, you were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Diamondbacks, and the Brewers led you for much of the season.
Chicago has added highly touted Kosuke Fukudome from Japan. But, the Cubs still have big question marks in center field and at second base, where Mark DeRosa has been suffering from an irregular heartbeat, behind the plate where a rookie will start, and in pitching. They're moving their closer, Ryan Dempster, to the starting rotation and their former stud starter, the often-injured Kerry Wood, to closer.
So, the Brewers don't have to concede anything to the Cubs at this point.
Sheets starts strong: Ben Sheets pitched two solid innings in his first Cactus League appearance. "I feel a little stronger this year," Sheets said. "I feel like I've got the better arm slot, and that's why I feel stronger.
Sheets, who is in the last year of his contract, is scheduled to make his second spring start Thursday.
Kendall hits ninth: Brewers manager Ned Yost has been experimenting with catcher Jason Kendall in the ninth spot in the batting order, with the pitcher eighth. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa has been using the lineup on and off the last few years.
The theory is the ninth batter can become like a second leadoff man. "Jason has hit leadoff for much of his career," Yost said. "He hits to all fields and can go deep in the pitch count. I just want to see if it can work."
Rottino has a shot: Vinny Rottino, a Racine native who played at UW-La Crosse, was the last player cut during camp last spring but he feels he has a shot at making the club as a backup catcher this year.
"Definitely, I think I can make it," Rottino said. "I went back to Triple-A last year and really worked on my catching. I feel I'm a catcher who can play other positions rather than a guy who just plays a lot of places."
Rottino is competing with Mike Rivera and Eric Munson for the backup position behind Kendall. His versatility -- he can play at the corners in the infield and the outfield -- could give him an edge.
Feeling blessed: Matt LaPorta, last year's first-round pick, is in the Brewers' camp as a non-roster invitee. He won't make the team and will start the season in the minors, but the club thought it would be good for the prospect to be with the big leaguers.
"I really feel blessed to be here playing baseball at this level," LaPorta said. "To be on the same field with Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Mike Cameron ... they're some of the best in baseball."
LaPorta said he has tried to "pick the brains of Jason Kendall, Gabe Kapler, Mike Cameron and some of the other veterans."
"They've been great and very willing to help," LaPorta said. "This experience is invaluable."
LaPorta, who played at the University of Florida, could be on a fast track to the big leagues and could end up in the Brewers' outfield in a couple of years.
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