ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The 2017 baseball season should be a successful one in Milwaukee.
That's if you listen to the majority of fans we spoke with Monday afternoon at Stadium District bars during the Brewers' Opening Day game against the Colorado Rockies.
Lynn Sterhagen and JoAnn Smits were part of a table of Crew fans at Anduzzi's Bar and Grill.
While Smits is optimistic on the season's first day since "hope springs eternal," Sternhagen takes it a couple steps further.
"Well, I have to predict they're going to win the World Series!"
Sternhagen wasn't alone in sharing some playful optimism. Steve McConnell was watching game one of 162 at Stadium View Bar and Grille.
"I'm always excited for Opening Day, because it's a clean slate. Take the Cubbies down, this could be our year!"
Stadium View Owner Jerry Watson stopped short of predicting a World Series but believes the Brewers "should win over half their games."
However, Watson also noted "Wisconsin is still Wisconsin. We know one thing...it's called the Green Bay Packers."
Mike Oechsner supported Watson's claim in saying "I'm looking forward to football season already."
Oechsner believes the Brewers' pitching will struggle, making for a long summer in Milwaukee.
Only sparse crowds were on hand around first pitch at just about every Stadium District establishment.
Watson expects there would've been at least twice the patrons if not for the rainy weather.
Even though past Opening Day games have drawn larger crowds, Watson notes establishments are never nearing capacity.
While it is necessary to offer food or drink specials to entice fans on Green Bay Packers' game days, Watson says Brewers' season openers consist of "turning on the television and hoping a few people come in."
The Brewers dropped the opener by a final of 7-5.