by Ken Rosenthal

The move just might save their season.

Tuesday is the first day of the rest of the Brewers' life in 2008.

Even after getting swept four straight in Philadelphia over the weekend, they are tied with the Phillies for the National League wild-card lead.

Their remaining schedule is not easy — a six-game trip to Chicago and Cincinnati, then a six-game homestand against the Pirates and Cubs.

But at least now the Brewers can relax.

Under Yost, a veritable Captain Queeg in the dugout, the tension was unbearable — and toxic for a team featuring so many prominent young players.

This goes back to last season, when the Brewers pulled a similar collapse at a similar point in September. At one point, Yost told the players that jobs — his and his coaches' — were at stake. Not the right message.

The Brewers thought they were getting the next Bobby Cox when they hired Yost, the Braves' former third-base coach, on Oct. 29, 2002. But many terrific baseball men respond poorly to the pressure of being a major-league manager. Add Yost to the list.

A year ago, Yost led the Brewers to their first winning record since 1992. This year's team needs one more victory to beat that mark. But the Brewers' play of late reflected the tone set by their manager. In a word, tight.

The Brewers need to win now. Their respective aces, CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, are almost certain to depart as free agents. If the Brewers fail to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 1982, they might not get another chance anytime soon.

As recently as Saturday, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin defended Yost, explaining that the Brewers had the lowest payroll of any National League contender, the youngest 3-4-5 hitters and a variety of bullpen issues. But by the end of the Phillies' crushing sweep, even Melvin had seen enough. Either that, or owner Mark Attanasio persuaded Melvin that a change was necessary.

The final blow might have been Yost's decision to allow Brian Shouse, a left-handed reliever, to face Pat Burrell, a right-handed hitter, in the eighth inning of a tie game in the opener of Sunday's double-header.

Yost failed to allow Shouse to pitch to Ryan Howard, ordering an intentional walk in front of Burrell even though Howard was batting only .212 against left-handers. Then Yost failed to summon a right- hander to face Burrell, who delivered the go-ahead hit in the Phillies' 7-3 victory.

The Brewers proceeded to drop the nightcap, 6-1, with Phillies right- hander Brett Myers pitching a two-hitter against them on three days rest.

Nothing against Dale Sveum, whom the Brewers promoted from third base coach to interim manager, but at this point virtually any new voice would be refreshing for the players.

Twelve games left.

Enough time to save the season.