MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers aren't pushovers anymore.
Manager Ned Yost says it used to be a three-day vacation for opponents - visit Milwaukee, eat good food and beat up on the Brewers.
He says it's not like that anymore.
Last year's squad entered the season with high expectations but stumbled because of injuries and an unreliable bullpen.
They finished 12 games under .500.
This year's squad returns nearly intact with a young nucleus of talent - plus Jeff Suppan, the MVP of the NLCS.
Another key acquisition is catcher Johnny Estrada, who got the bulk of spring training innings to familiarize himself with the pitching staff.
Yost is downplaying the expectations of improvement.
He says it feels good to have expectations, but ultimately they don't mean anything.
