Interesting comment from Steve Phillips about HR's

[moofnelson]

I heard Steve Phillips on ESPN radio today talking about how HR's hit in the majors this year are on a pace to be about 1000 less than 2006. Doubles and Triples are down quite a bit, too. That's quite a significant drop. He attributes the drop to the Mitchell report and better drug testing.

At the end of May last year the Brewers had hit 69 homeruns. That's without Braun. This year the Brewers have 42 through mid-May. That would be 29 without Braun.

He went on to say that this lack of power forces teams to emphasize doing the little things to score runs and win games. I guess it's time for the Brewers to start playing "small ball." Not exactly their strong point.

[trwi7]

Small ball has nothing to do with it. Getting on base does. Fact of the matter is that the Brewers don't get on base enough to score runs consistently.

[NastyTwig]

Braun has eight homers in the last eight games... Seven of them were solo shots. We need our 1 and 2 hitters to stop sucking, and if that happens Fielder will start come around too.

[rluzinski]

Teams are still averaging around 4.5 runs/game, so I don't think it's time to start playing like 2 runs is going to win the game.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Teams are still averaging around 4.5 runs/game, so I don't think it's time to start playing like 2 runs is going to win the game.

The Twins play a ton of small ball and have very little power on that team and I think they score more than 2 runs a game.

[homer]

I don't understand the Twins comment. They've scored fewer runs than the Brewers.

[Gobias Industries]

For some reason, it seems like hitting has been up this year.

 

Guys like Chipper Jones, Lance Berkman, Kevin Youkilis, and Hanley Ramirez are putting up very big numbers. I saw Xavier Nady's stats a couple of days ago and was completely floored.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

I don't understand the Twins comment. They've scored fewer runs than the Brewers.

The comment was made because you can score runs by playing small ball. The Twins are scoring 4.25 runs per game, not 2.

[rluzinski]

My point was, small ball works the best in a low run scoring environments. Historically speaking, teams are still scoring a decent amount of runs. I think Steve Phillips is picking 140 lb hitters with the high socks laying down bunt after bunt.

[homer]

I think Russ was exaggerating to make a point. 4.25 is still pretty bad.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

My point was, small ball works the best in a low run scoring environments. Historically speaking, teams are still scoring a decent amount of runs. I think Steve Phillips is picking 140 lb hitters with the high socks laying down bunt after bunt.

Yes. I agree because you are giving up outs for runs, but it sure pays dividends in late in games and helps your team do better than it's win potential hence my Minnesota Twins comment.

[moofnelson]

The "small ball" comment was mine, not Phillip's. I guess I should have made it blue. The Brewers can't play small ball, anyway. They neither the pitching or defense for small ball.

[TooLiveBrew]

"Small Ball" is an offensive strategy

[dhoffman19]

I'm guessing April-Early May is usually not a great period for HRs just b/c of the colder weather.

[whizkid]

"Small Ball" is an offensive strategy

 

Even if one believes small ball has any value, it still would only seem to make sense if a team feels it can prevent the other team from scoring and hang on to slim leads.

[uwisfan]

Last year, Hardy and Fielder were on a ridiculous tear. Hardy started having back problems and hasn't regained his stroke. I doubt it had to do with steroids. Hart doesnt have the physique of a roider, so I doubt there's anything to that either. Fielder, who knows? Seems like his power is natural, but that is the only guy you can question...

[rluzinski]

Sure, small ball has it's place. I just don't think the reduction in HRs is going to significantly increase the situations where it should be employed.

[homer]

Small ball has a place - just not in the second inning with a guy in scoring position with a .300 hitter at bat in a one run game. Ned? You reading this?