{image1}The Brewers could lean left in their lineup, and we're not talking about their politics here.

Manager Ned Yost is contemplating a batting order that would have five straight lefthanded hitters, a rarity in the big leagues.

Centerfielder Scott Podsednik would lead off, followed by shortstop Craig Counsell, first baseman Lyle Overbay, leftfielder Scott Jenkins and rightfielder Ben Grieve. All hit from the left side.

"I haven't really set the order yet, but I'm toying with it," Yost said in an interview earlier this week. "It could have its advantages. It will probably depend on matchups."

One advantage is that most of the starting pitchers in the National League Central are righthanders. Yost also said that his lefthanded batters also can hit lefties pretty well.

Of course, a natural question is what happens when the opponents switch pitchers. Yost's answer is that his bench includes mostly righthanders -- Bill Hall, Keith Ginter, Brady Clark, Gary Bennett.

"I'm more worried about the start of the game," he said. "I can always pinch-hit or make other changes as the game goes on."

Even if they don't bat in a row, the five lefthanders will be in the lineup on most days. Junior Spivey will probably start at second base, Wes Helms at third and Chad Moeller at catcher. Clark and Ginter might get some starts in right against lefthanded pitchers. All these players bat from the right side.

"We're still trying some combinations at this point," Yost said. "We have some time yet. We have some versatility, so we could go with some different combos."

The Brew Crew Review

Here are a few notes from the last few days in Arizona:

• You shouldn't take any spring training stats too seriously. That was true when the Brewers were scoring runs in droves earlier this spring. It also is true after the Brewers went 37 innings without scoring. Overbay finally broke the streak Monday with a homer that sparked the Crew to a 6-2 win over the White Sox.

• Lefthander Doug Davis extended his shutout streak to 11.1 innings with four scoreless innings in that game against the Sox. Davis has been the Brewers' most effective starter and could end up No. 2 behind Ben Sheets.

• Moeller was Jenkins' roommate when both were at USC. So what kind of roomie was Jenks? "Messy," said Moeller.

• Moeller's backup, Gary Bennett, is hitting over .500 for the spring. Bill Hall also remained hot with two hits Tuesday against Anaheim.

• Closer Dan Kolb made his second appearance of the spring Tuesday, giving up one hit in one inning and striking out two. Yost said the Brewers have been cautious with Kolb, who had Tommy John surgery on his elbow, a forearm injury and a rotator in three straight years.

"I thought my career was done," Kolb said in an interview this week. "But, I did rehab for three and a half months, and ended up with the Brewers. Last year was great. I hope I can build on it this year."

• The Brewers were off Wednesday, but will play San Diego at Maryvale Thursday and go to Surprise for a day-night doubleheader against Kansas City and Texas on Friday.

March Madness Update

UW-Stevens Point brought the only NCAA basketball title to the state, after winning the Division III championship.

In case you missed it, Wisconsin lost to Pittsburgh. UWM fell out of the NIT with a loss to Boise State. Coby Karl, the son of the former Bucks' coach, had the key free throws in the game for Boise State.

Marquette had better luck, beating Boise State at the Bradley Center Tuesday to move on to a NIT game against Iowa on Friday or Saturday. In women's basketball, Marquette lost to Duke Tuesday night.

In boys' prep basketball, the state champs are: Milwaukee King - Division 1, Waukesha Catholic Memorial -- Division 2, Whitefish Bay Dominican - Division 3, Randolph -- Division 4.

Kudos to Michael Nelson, Jason Kalsow and Devin Harris. Nelson was picked the Wisconsin prep player of the year after leading Madison Memorial to the finals of the state championship.

Kalsow sank the winning shot with .2 left on the clock in the Pointers' 84-82 win over Williams in the NCAA Division III title game. Harris, a junior guard for UW, the Big Ten and State Sports Buzz player of the year, made second team All American.

Hot Tix

The Wave hosts San Diego at 7 p.m. Thursday at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The Bucks return from the west coast to host Houston at 3 p.m. Sunday.

In hockey, the Admirals, fighting for first place in the American Hockey League, play at Chicago and Houston over the weekend.