The Brewers' 2012 began just like 2011. They were 14-20 on May 8 of last season, coming off a miserable road trip, stuck in fifth place and six games under .500.

Brewers fans know the rest of that story. The team got hot after that tough trip and wound up winning 96 regular-season games and winning the National League Central for its first division crown since '82.

So when this year's crop got off to a similarly slow start -- the Brewers were 15-19 this time after 34 games -- more than one player expressed the sentiment that, "It's OK. We've been here before, and we can get it going again."

Only the Brewers never got it going, and now find themselves facing a daunting second-half challenge. Win games in bunches, or spend October on the golf course instead of the baseball diamond.

"We still have time," said right-hander Zack Greinke, Friday's scheduled starter as the Brewers open the second half against the Division-leading Pirates...