The usual cynics have once again surfaced. A season once full of optimism for a franchise largely devoid of such feelings over the last decade has already lost its luster after 21 games. The Milwaukee Brewers’ record currently stands at 8-13. But it’s not time to throw in the towel on Ned Yost’s club quite yet.

First off, the season is still young. The Brewers have played just an eighth of their schedule and have played only eight games at home. Though they have posted just a 2-6 mark at Miller Park, considering their schedule in the first month, the Brewers overall record isn’t as terrible as it appears at first glance.

Milwaukee has had to travel to Wrigley Field, Minute Maid Park and Busch Stadium, the homes of the top three teams from the National League Central a year ago, and has, not surprisingly, struggled.

Brewers skeptics should take heed. This is a franchise that started off well last year, reaching as high as seven games over .500 before the All Star break before plummeting into last place in the division. However, this season was supposed to be different.

The addition of Carlos Lee into the middle of the lineup would offer protection for lefties Geoff Jenkins and Lyle Overbay. Wisconsin native Damian Miller would give the Brewers a respectable backstop for the first time in a great while. The offense would be improved. Ace Ben Sheets would finally get some run support.

Yet, it seems in the opening month nothing has changed from a year ago. Sheets is 1-3 with a 3.95 ERA while striking out almost one batter per inning. The back of the rotation has battled the same inconsistencies that plagued it last season. The Brewers are averaging just over four runs per game, largely due to poor hitting with runners in scoring position. And Lee has started off slow, batting just .235.

Still, it’s quite early in the year to give up all hope of a respectable season for the Crew. As great as April is for over-analyzing baseball to death, it is simply another month of the season.

Brewer fans can take solace in the fact that teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles are currently in first place. No disrespect to either club, but the chances of the both teams ending the year on top are not real good. The Yankees are still under .500. Jim Thome is hitting just over .200. Eric Chavez, Steve Finley and Mike Lowell are all currently batting below the Mendoza line. The season is still in its infancy.

Despite their current struggles, the Brewers still have a chance to compete in the division. This is certainly not a club that will challenge the Cardinals for the crown, but Milwaukee does have a team capable of finishing around the .500 mark. And in a division with no standout teams outside of St. Louis, such a finish could put the Brewers in contention for second or third place.

They still have many holes and questions; yet the answers to those questions will not be answered in April, nor should they be. Yes, J.J. Hardy is struggling. But a rookie shortstop needs more than a month and just over 50 at-bats to show any indication of what type of player he will be. Remember, even Alex Rodriguez hit just .204 in his first taste of big-league action (54 at-bats in 1994).

Junior Spivey (a career .274 hitter) is not going to bat .214 all season. Lee’s early season struggles won’t last for all of 2005. Geoff Jenkins is going to eventually break out of his two-homerun, five-RBI funk. Right now, the Brewers are simply a team struggling behind the slow starts of some of their best players.

The Major League Baseball season is a marathon, not a quick sprint. There is a reason why Brian Roberts will not win American League MVP. There is a reason why Derek Lee will not win the National League Triple Crown. And finally, there is a reason why Gustavo Chacin, regardless of how cool his glasses are, will not win the AL Cy Young.

The Brewers simply have to continue to work hard and wait for their stars to wake up.