Brewers Sign Former Hated Rival Matt Garza

Sep 26, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Garza (22) throws during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAYSportsMilwaukee

Brewers fans have gotten good at hating Matt Garza. He once played for the Twins – who really aren’t much of a rival for the Brewers these days with the whole being in different leagues thing, but still – and of course he spent a couple fruitful years pitching for the Brewers’ most hated enemies the Cubs.

Now Brewers fans will learn to love Matt Garza. The feisty and competitive right hander has signed with Milwaukee for $52 million over four years.

Choke down the delicious cheesy deep dish pizza of sorrow while perched on a windy rooftoop, Wrigley faithful.

Garza went just 10-6 in 2013 but he pitched better than his record. He’s not exactly an innings-eater – he’s only gone over 200 innings twice in his career – but he is an incredibly consistent starter.

How consistent is Garza? Check out his ERAs:

2007: 3.69

2008: 3.70

2009: 3.95

2010: 3.91

2011: 3.32

2012: 3.91

2013: 3.82

Despite spending several years in the American League, Garza has never had an ERA over 4.00 in a season in which he has pitched more than 80 innings. If his first name were Eddie, they’d call him Steady Eddie.

But it’s not Eddie, it’s Matt. So I don’t know what they call him. I call him rich and now a member of a really good rotation in Milwaukee. Look out division, the Brewers will now be throwing this at you:

Kyle Lohse

Yovani Gallardo

Matt Garza

Wily Peralta

Marco Estrada

Cringe, rest of major league baseball.

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