Together, they have hit for a .356 average, with five home runs and 17 RBIs, which would place them among league leaders.

In 2006, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins hit for a .271 average and a .791 on-base plus slugging percentage, which are low numbers, especially for a veteran corner outfielder making $7 million per year.

This year, Jenkins owns a sparkling .358 batting average, leading to an amazing 1.007 OPS.

Last year, Kevin Mench hit .269, including months of .211 and .233 following his trade to the Brewers for Carlos Lee, leading to a meager .733 OPS. This year he has a great .353 average and a respectable .875 OPS, a big upgrade from last year.

What explains the improvement by both players? They do.

Manager Ned Yost intelligently decided to platoon each player, inserting them into the starting line-up based on the opposing pitcher. When a left-handed starting pitcher assumes the mound for the opposing team, Mench can expect to see his name in the lineup card as he pounds left-handed pitching at a .307 clip with a .935 OPS for his career.

Conversely, when a right-handed hurler takes the rubber, Jenkins finds himself in left-field due to his .293 average and .894 OPS he has tallied in his 10 years of major league service.

This trend has continued in 2007, with Mench posting a phenomenal .421 batting average versus southpaws and even hitting right-handed pitchers at a respectable .313 clip. Jenkins has maintained his dominance against right-handers, hitting .386 versus a measly .222 average versus southpaws, numbers in relative accordance with his career statistics.

With corner outfielders expected to post impressive offensive numbers, the two have combined to do just that. Together, they have hit for a .356 average, with five home runs and 17 RBIs, which would place them among league leaders.

The successful platoon of Mench and Jenkins remains an integral part of the Brewers early season accomplishments. With the outfield part of the offensive problem last year, it now serves as one of the primary reasons the Milwaukee Brewers sit atop the National League Central division, ahead of the reigning World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals, perennial contender Houston Astros and the hated Chicago Cubs.

If this type of production continues throughout the season, it would be difficult to envision the Brewers extending their streak of 25 consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.

By John Raschig

Special to the Post

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