9/16/08 Brewers (Sabathia) at Cubs (Dempster): 7:05 PM CDT

[bbaehman]

By the way...Shouse really needs to stay in the pen in close games...

[jason21nl]

By the way...Shouse really needs to stay in the pen in close games...

or not have to face right handed batters

[naivin]

Maybe the players will start feeling that competitive drive again and start kicking some butt.

Much like early in the season, if Braun doesn't start hitting, little else matters. Until he hits like he's capable (if/when healthy) we don't have a prayer.

[bucks2281]

The math is no longer on our side.

 

Guys, we're winning tomorrow. Marquis sucks, and we're due.

[Oldcity]

I didn't actually have a problem with bringing in Shouse there. Villanueva vs. Ward isn't an attractive option either, and it was either one or the other. Ward is the superior hitter by far.

 

Now letting Kendall hit in the ninth on the other hand...

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

This sounds crazy... but after the initial "kick in the groin" feeling after the last strike... I feel really good, almost happy about this one.

 

I'm just glad to see em show some fire and not just roll over... hopefully that infield hit will snap Braun out of it.

[ELCABALLO45]

I think we are starting to hit a little better, Prince is starting to get going. I think we are kind of on the right track.

[jason21nl]

I just don't like any match up where Shouse has to face a right handed batter. No matter how much the righty might suck

[JrDave2304]

The Shouse/Villanueva thing is the only thing that really stings from this game.

 

We better light up Marquis tomorrow (and hopefully Harden on Thursday when I'm there...)

[davemakovec]

Now, I was just following on Gameday, but on Prince's double in the first, was it at all a question of sending Braun?

 

If not, yeah, I agree that the decision that cost the game was putting in Shouse against a righty.

[Oldcity]

Honestly, I didn't want to see Ward up there in that situation. He has a great eye and has done well against righties in his career. Villanueva wasn't at his sharpest, and had thrown quite a few pitches already. I kind of saw it as a toss-up, and I don't blame him for going to Shouse.

[MillerParkSouth]

all I want to know is why Shouse was left in to face the righty.

[jason21nl]

fair enough, CV did throw a lot of pitches to the previous batter but I like that he Kd him. Ward scares me more than any other batter in MLB for whatever reason. I just liked the CV vs Ward more..I can see what you're saying though

[JrDave2304]

all I want to know is why Shouse was left in to face the righty.

I wouldn't have had AS much of a problem with it if he didn't get tagged for 4 runs against the last two righties he faced

[pretendastronaut]

Now, I was just following on Gameday, but on Prince's double in the first, was it at all a question of sending Braun?

 

If not, yeah, I agree that the decision that cost the game was putting in Shouse against a righty.

He would have been out pretty easy at the plate if he went. Braun thought he would have been going, rounded the bag, got the stop light and they made a close play at third with him trying to get back.

[Oldcity]

Either way, the Brewers were backed into a corner for that AB. They were going to be facing a less-than-desired match-up no matter what they did.

 

The lead-off double hurt them a lot more than bringing in Shouse.

[jason21nl]

yeah, the lead off double was a killer.

[sbrylski]

Using career numbers, and giving 2/3rd control of the outcome to the hitter, it was a good decision to bring in Shouse:

 

Shouse OPS vRHB = .845

Blanco OPS vLHP = .710

Total = .755

 

Villanueva OPS vLHP = .760

Ward OPS vRHB = .785

Total = .777

[BrewCrewForever]

Well to me anyway this team looked more alive. They were not sleeping going through the motions.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Shouse have to face Blanco in that situation? I thought if you bring in a pitcher he has to face one batter. And then Fukudome was up so of course Shouse faced him.

[Oldcity]

Yes once you bring a pitcher in he needs to face a hitter.

[ELCABALLO45]

I did not have a problem with Shouse facing Blanco.

[Grateful cub]

I'm of the opinion that pitch was not very good at all, it just fooled Prince. It was belt high over the middle of the plate. Good pitch in the sense that it fooled him, but the location was terrible.

Agreed...he hung a slider that gets hit into outspace by Fielder if it wasn't that exact kind of situation in a last at bat in the 9th and he's only looking for the heat. Worked out for us but he hung a slider. I'd bet my car this will be decided by the rubber game Wed.

[hawing]

I'll echo the comments of others; at least in this game the Brewers seemed relatively awake. The opponent, venue and time of season all make the game hurt more, but I did not detect the same, team-wide malaise that seemed to be all over the Phillies series.

 

how about swinging the bat there, fatty?

There are plenty of ways to express frustration that don't include pointless name-calling. I don't want to see this again.

[pitchleague]

I'm in no position to read the entire thread this morning, but did any see Marmol's reaction to the strikeout to end the inning against Counsell (7th or 8th inning? I don't remember which.) Counsell wasn't watching nor the ump who made the exaggerated strike three call, but Marmol pumped both fists into his hips and thrust his pelvis a bit. Wow. What a jerk. I don't mind a pump fist while you walk off the mound but totally and completely showing up an opponent like he did was uncalled for.

 

Good thing the guy never has to hit because he'd definitely be getting one in the ear hole.

[craigharmann]

I'm in no position to read the entire thread this morning, but did any see Marmol's reaction to the strikeout to end the inning against Counsell (7th or 8th inning? I don't remember which.) Counsell wasn't watching nor the ump who made the exaggerated strike three call, but Marmol pumped both fists into his hips and thrust his pelvis a bit. Wow. What a jerk. I don't mind a pump fist while you walk off the mound but totally and completely showing up an opponent like he did was uncalled for.

 

Good thing the guy never has to hit because he'd definitely be getting one in the ear hole.

Saw that too.....I wasn't too happy with it. THAT was showing up the other team. Carlos V's fist pump vs. the Cardinals was emotion. Although I said something in the in-game chat about that Prince needed to shake a bat at Marmol-ade like Pujols did at Carlos V.