Narveson aims for calm in opener

Left-hander Chris Narveson was in the Brewers’ bullpen for the first pitch at Miller Park in 2010. This time, he’ll be throwing that pitch.

“I’m pretty pumped up, but it’s just another game, one of many we’re going to have this year,” said Narveson, a soft-spoken left-hander. “[In terms of] mental preparation, you have to look at it that way. Obviously, it’s just another game, but it’s the first home game. It would be nice for us to go in and have a good showing.”

That’s the official line. In his heart, he knows that Monday’s home opener is something of a big deal.

“It’s a big deal for Milwaukee and a big deal for us,” he said. “But inside, we have to hold back a little bit.”

The Brewers’ home-opening assignment was originally designated for somebody else, perhaps right-hander Shaun Marcum, who started the Blue Jays’ 2010 season-opener. But the club had to alter its plan after Zack Greinke cracked a left rib playing basketball.

Club officials considered other combinations, but they would have involved more major shuffling in Spring Training. In the end, they decided Narveson, who was 12-9 with a 4.99 ERA last season, could handle the assignment.

“I talked with Rick [Kranitz, the pitching coach], and he said, ‘You know what? It’s too hard to change this now,’” manager Ron Roenicke said.

Narveson did not allow a single run in Spring Training last year, when he was one of eight pitchers vying for five spots in Milwaukee’s starting rotation and ultimately wound up in the bullpen. This year, he was assured of a job and posted a 6.23 ERA in five Cactus League starts and one appearance in relief of Greinke.

He’ll try to begin 2011 where he finished 2010. Narveson was 3-2 with a 3.05 ERA in his final seven starts last year, six of them so-called quality starts.

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