These are the times that define a team.

In the last week, the Brewers' pitching has gotten pummeled. The offense has sputtered and the team's tenuous hold on first place in the National League Central Division has disappeared.

Now what?

One of the most fashionable summertime activities in Milwaukee the last two or three summers was spending hours on end, ripping former manager Ned Yost and his coaching staff for the team's numerous flaws. For example, it was Yost's fault that the offense was consistently inconsistent, didn't bunt and didn't play "small-ball." It was Yost's fault that the bullpen faltered no matter what situation pitchers found themselves in.

Here were are in 2009, with Yost gone and Macha entrenched, and wouldn't you know it; the problems still remain.

Aside from Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, the offense has struggled to develop any sort of momentum. Bill Hall is back on the bench. Rickie Weeks, though much, much improved, is out for the year with injury. Mike Cameron started hot and came back to earth. Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy? Well, perhaps you're familiar with their recent work.

Same problems from last season. And the season before and the season before. The same problems that, for the most part, cost Yost his job a year ago and led to Macha taking over during the offseason.

The Brewers have played well at times this season, well enough for them to have held onto first place for 36 days. They've managed to do that despite not clicking on all cylinders for an extended stretch of the year.

There have been times where the pitching has been good enough to support a punch-less offense. There have been times where the offense has exploded to cover the staff's mistakes. There have even been occasions where the defense has bailed out both the pitching and offense.

But so far this year, all three have failed to kick into gear concurrently for extended periods of time.

In the past, the blame has landed squarely at the foot of the manager; be it right or wrong. It's not quite must-win time, but it's definitely gut-check time. The chances of landing another CC Sabathia are slim to none. Yes, Doug Melvin will more than likely pull the trigger on a deadline deal, but it's far-fetched to think that the Brewers will be able to acquire another player that can single-handedly carry them into the post season.

Macha, meanwhile, continues to present an even-keeled approach to the job. He's nowhere near the polarizing personality that was Yost during his later years, but at the same time, if Yost was to blame for the Brewers' September swoon in 2008 - and other second-half meltdowns in years prior - than the laws of equality suggest that Macha, too, has to find the answers this time around.

But it's not the manager throwing pitches. Major League Baseball rules prohibit a Macha from standing behind his hitters in the box, like a T-ball coach does with youngsters. So, the only logical spot for blame would be on the players, themselves.

Common sense and logic tell us that, at some point, everything will come together. The Brewers, as currently assembled, have shown that they have the necessary ingredients

The Brewers are far from out of it. Beginning Tuesday night, they still have 93 games - including 15 of the next 19 at home -- to batten down the hatches and make a serious run at the wide-open, up-for-grabs Central Division.

Those wanting to know if this year's team is actually a postseason contender or if the 2008 squad was, to quote former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, a "fart in the wind," will find out in the next few weeks.