2009-04-10 Cubs (Harden) at Brewers (Looper): 3:05 PM CDT (Brewers Opening Day) [Brewers win 4-3]

[phxMILWfan]

If I remember correctly it was up the middle, not too far though. Just hard hit.

[Ennder]

I almost wouldn't mind a bunt here since Kendall grounds into so many double plays. I say that as someone who normally hates bunts!

[trwi7]

Counsell pinch hitting with a runner on second and one out? Is Yost back in the dugout?

[3Putt]

The old baseball rule of thumb is to play for the tie at home. Guess Brewer management agrees.

[rluzinski]

The best matchup Macha could muster up in an important situation is Counsell against a lefty? Seriously?

[Oldcity]

Don't mind the bunt with Kendall there, especially since he's such a double play candidate. Interesting that Lou would rather face McGehee with Cotts than Counsell with Heilmann.

[Ennder]

Well Lou went to a lefty so will we bring in a righty? I hate the move of leaving Counsell in to face a lefty. You burned the out with a bunt, you can't burn another out with a hopeless matchup. You have to be willing to blow that extra player now to get a good matchup.

 

Yost would have left Counsell in probably for his 'grit'. Looks like Macha wants the grit too, too bad.

[bucks2281]

Like it or not, I think Counsell will end up being #1 option off the bench for Macha.

[southpaw121505]

Our approach at the plate is still terrible. I'm already sick of watching Hall try to pull outside sliders.

[Oldcity]

Ah he's letting Counsell hit!?

[jeffy]

Ridiculous, we have to save the other options for later...coool he got hit

[Oldcity]

Lucky break. He's so gritty.

[crewcrazy]

Lou takes up 10 minutes with his waddling back and forth to the mound for 2 pitching changes surrounding 1 AB. It's the little things about the Cubs that annoy me, I guess.

[Ennder]

This is why I wish Marmol were the closer, I'd rather face Gregg here than Marmol.

[3Putt]

Like it or not, I think Counsell will end up being #1 option off the bench for Macha.

If he can hit singles like he's done recently I won't mind him being our first option. He makes the most out of a plate appearance and hits a bit better in the clutch.

[logan82]

Logan, wouldn't you expect to see a better walk to K ratio from guys you don't consider free swingers?

 

I don't think K's should really be taken into account when talking about free swingers. As ennder pointed out in a different thread a month or so back, most would consider Johnny Estrada a free swinger and he rarely struck out. So a free swinger to me boils down to looking at walk rates and BA/OBP splits. I guess looking at P/PA would be another way as well. In that case Kendall was around Braun and Hart last year so he could be considered a free swinger as well and Hall wouldn't.

[DHonks]

McClung once again hurts the Brewers. I really don't like him in the bullpen. I prefer him as a starter when he can afford to work around his walks.

[Oldcity]

Was that ball hit solidly by weeks? Seems like his luck so far this season isn't any better than last year.

[Ennder]

Was that ball hit solidly by weeks? Seems like his luck so far this season isn't any better than last year.

Yeah it was, if it were a little bit more to the right he would have had a single. It wasn't a smash or anything, but it was hit hard.

 

If nothing else we got Marmol's pitch count up there a bit making his job tougher next inning. Still hope we plate some runs here.

[Schlitz001]

Nice to see Hart take a walk against a tough pitcher (or any pitcher). It's up to Braunie now.

[crewcrazy]

Hart should've been struck out there...thank goodness this ump stinks.

 

Please come through here, Brauny...I have takeout waiting for me that's getting cold because this inning is dragging on. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Oldcity]

I think Hart's odds of reaching base after falling down 0-2 to Marmol were about 1 in 20.

[steve267268]

Dang MLB Gameday. It flashed "Braun' RBI Single" accross the top right before he popped out... It was his highlight from earlier...

[endaround]

At least the Brewers are doing their part to get Marmol's arm to fall of by July.

[trwi7]

I think Hart's odds of reaching base after falling down 0-2 to Marmol were about 1 in 20.

I think that's a little generous. I'd say 1 in 75.