The circumstances seemed right: Milwaukee wobbled into Pittsburgh having lost five straight games, 12 of the last 17, and was in last place in the National League Central Division at 20-24.

The timing seemed right: It was an off day in the midst of a three-city, 10-game trip, which would have allowed time for all the important human resources chores that come with such a decision.

The parties to such a move seemed to be in the right place at the right time: Club owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin spent the weekend in Boston watching the Brewers lose three games in which they allowed 23 runs, committed six errors and coughed up six home runs to the Red Sox.

Perhaps most important, Attanasio and Melvin were in position to hear their newly minted cornerstone, left fielder Ryan Braun, openly question the psychological mind-set of the club during its series with the defending world champions.

"I almost felt like this series, we didn't expect to win," Braun said.

"We were competing; I know everybody tried hard. But it's not about trying hard. You've got to expect to win. I almost feel like we never really expected to win any of these games."

That kind of analysis doesn't reflect well on Yost. Attitude and motivation are his departments, right there in the same managerial briefcase with tactics, fundamentals and a feel for the game.

If your best player senses a widespread lack of confidence, then has the courage to give voice to that belief, then there must be some validity to it.

Yet despite the usual Internet gossip -- there were all sorts of anonymous rumors implying the Brewers would change managers on their day off -- Yost is still driving the bus today instead of being under it.

I don't know about you, but this season of great expectations in Milwaukee has had an ominous feel to it almost from the get-go.

It began in spring training when one of the other cornerstones, first baseman Prince Fielder, complained about his paycheck and starting pitchers Chris Capuano and Yovani Gallardo were injured.

It continued opening day -- in Chicago against the rival Cubs, no less -- when closer Eric Gagne, he of the $10 million contract and the steroid baggage, gave us a sign of things to come by blowing his first save.

Then came another, more serious injury to Gallardo -- in Chicago against the rival Cubs, no less -- that will keep him out for the season.

Of course, Cubs fans probably felt this way a year ago at this time. Chicago was nine games under .500 shortly after Memorial Day. Between manager Lou Piniella getting suspended for four games, catcher Michael Barrett feuding with his pitchers and an assortments of injuries, it looked like Chicago was circling the drain.

Look how that turned out.

Still, the Brewers need to get their act together soon. If they don't, there will be another day like Monday when all signs point to Yost being toast.