With buzzer beaters and upsets controlling our lives, it’s easy to forget that baseball’s Opening Day is less than two weeks away.

But before looking ahead to the Milwaukee Brewers opening day against the San Francisco Giants, let’s take a look back to the year 2014. That was the year, many thought, the Brewers could compete for a World Series. In 2014 the Brewers lead the NL Central for the majority of the year, holding the top National League spot for some time as well. But of course, an epic, late season collapse ruined the Brewers and stuck with them into the 2015 season.

For all the sadness that came from 2014, the lost season, fans should be hoping for players to return to their 2014 selves, especially the pitchers.

On Monday, the Brewers announced that right-handed pitcher Wily Peralta will get the mound for Opening Day. If anyone is hoping for a return to 2014 form, it’s Peralta. In 2014, Peralta went 17-11, posting a 3.53 ERA and garnering over 150 strikeouts, positioning himself to take the ace spot in the Brewer’s pitching rotation. But 2015 saw injuries, a 5-10 record and a 4.72 ERA. If Peralta wants to establish himself as a true number one option, a return to 2014 is much needed.

Another Brewers pitcher hoping for a blast from the past is Matt Garza. In perhaps the worst year of his career, 2015 saw Garza throw for 6-14 record and a brutal 5.63 ERA. Ultimately, his poor play landed him in the bullpen in favor for young arms like Zach Davies, who the Brewers were trying to get some experience. 2014 saw a different Garza though. Pitching to a 3.64 ERA, an 8-8 record and a 1.182 WHIP, Garza was one of the bright spots of the rotation. One of the biggest differences for Garza was home runs given up. In 2014, he gave up only 12 over 163 innings pitched, while in 2015, he gave up 23 over 148 innings pitched.

Chase Anderson, a newcomer to the Brewers organization, will be in the back of the Brewers’ rotation. The right-hander came over from the Arizona Diamondbacks via the Jean Segura trade. Like the previous two pitchers, he too will look to get back into 2014 form. At the age of 26, Anderson broke into the majors that season, pitching to a modest ERA of 4.01 and 9-7 record. In 2015, Anderson regressed, throwing for a 6-6 record and a 4.30 ERA.  

With veterans trying to find themselves again and young pitchers continuing their development, 2016 could be very bumpy. Still, if these three pitchers can find a shred of their 2014 selves, the 2016 Brewers pitching staff may not be as terrible as 2015.

So sure, we may be pre-occupied with a certain basketball tournament right now, but we are getting ever closer to the sound of cracking bats and walk-off home runs at Miller Park. And if you’re a Brewers fan, you better be hoping the Brewers find an old Delorean that can bring them back to the first five months of 2015.