2017-09-29: Brewers (Anderson) at Cardinals (Grant) 7:15 PM CDT [Brewers win, 5-3; gain no ground on COL]

[Matt Breen]

Brewers (84-75)

1B Eric Thames (L)

2B Neil Walker (S)

LF Ryan Braun ®

3B Travis Shaw (L)

RF Domingo Santana ®

C Stephen Vogt (L)

SS Orlando Arcia ®

CF Brett Phillips (L)

RHP Chase Anderson ®

 

Cardinals (82-77)

2B Greg Garcia (L)

CF Tommy Pham ®

SS Paul DeJong ®

1B Jose Martinez ®

RF Stephen Piscotty ®

LF Randal Grichuk ®

3B Aledmys Diaz ®

C Carson Kelly ®

RHP John Gant ®

[TURBO]

We REALLY need Braun to step up this weekend... Time to be a leader Ryan.

[young guns]

Games at 7:15 not 8:15.

[jerichoholicninja]

We REALLY need Braun to step up this weekend... Time to be a leader Ryan.

 

Really just need anybody in the middle of the order to step up.

[pacopete4]

I don't think being a leader and producing are really much of the same. Would it be nice if he came through in the clutch throughout the weekend, of course. But doubt it makes him any less of a leader to that team.

[KeithStone53151]

We REALLY need Braun to step up this weekend... Time to be a leader Ryan.

 

Really just need anybody in the middle of the order to step up.

 

I'll be happy every atbat that braun doesn't either strike out or GIDP. I try not to be pessimistic, but it seems like that's over half his atbats lately.

[KeithStone53151]

I don't think being a leader and producing are really much of the same. Would it be nice if he came through in the clutch throughout the weekend, of course. But doubt it makes him any less of a leader to that team.

 

Would be much nicer if we won games by 5-6 runs and didn't need any clutch hits.

[pacopete4]

I don't think being a leader and producing are really much of the same. Would it be nice if he came through in the clutch throughout the weekend, of course. But doubt it makes him any less of a leader to that team.

 

Would be much nicer if we won games by 5-6 runs and didn't need any clutch hits.

 

I completely agree.

[dlk9s]

We already have the advantage because Yovani Gallardo isn't pitching.

[rcc]

Tonight it's time for Braun and Shaw to get some runs batted in. Usually clutch hitters are in a slump right now.

 

Go Brewers!

[bm1090]

How do you think the bullpen will be managed this weekend in close games?

 

Let's say we can get 6 IP from the starters the next 3 games. Swarzak pitched 2 last night. Do you go Starter 6, Hader 2, Knebel 1 tonight? Then starter (or group effort) 6, Swarzak 2, Knebel 1 tomorrow? Davies 6, Hader 2, Knebel 1 on Sunday?

 

I just really don't want to see Barnes, Drake, or anyone else out there in a close game. Maybe Jeffress if needed.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I have hard time seeing the Brewers getting through this series without having to rely on someone other than Hader, Swarzak, Knebel, at least assuming the games remain meaningful. I think you just have to go day-by-day. All hands on deck tonight, which I think will mean Anderson for as much as he can get, Hader for as much as he can get, and Knebel for as much as he can get. Maybe Swarzak for one out, but only in an emergency. If Hader and Corey are unavailable tomorrow, so be it. I'm of the belief that anything within 3 runs either way has to be managed as a Game 7 type situation. A 4-run lead, you can play it differently and hope to sneak by, but that's where I'd draw the line.

[KeithStone53151]

How do you think the bullpen will be managed this weekend in close games?

 

Let's say we can get 6 IP from the starters the next 3 games. Swarzak pitched 2 last night. Do you go Starter 6, Hader 2, Knebel 1 tonight? Then starter (or group effort) 6, Swarzak 2, Knebel 1 tomorrow? Davies 6, Hader 2, Knebel 1 on Sunday?

 

I just really don't want to see Barnes, Drake, or anyone else out there in a close game. Maybe Jeffress if needed.

 

I think Jeffress will fill the Swarzak role tonight, and Hughes will likely be first middle reliever brought in. I know Hughes pitched yesterday but he didn't throw much. There's a chance Hader is used to "start" tomorrow since it will be a bullpen day and would therefore be held out today. When I say start, I'm expecting 45-60 pitches or 4 innings max, whichever comes first.

 

If worst case scenario we have to use Jeffress, Hughes, and Knebel for a win today...I would expect Knebel is off limits tomorrow and Swarzak would act as closer. It's too difficult to look any further into the crystal ball than 2 days in advance. For all we know either Anderson could toss a gem and/or the offense could explode and Garza pitches 3 innings of a 12-0 game and finds a way to only allow 6 runs in his 3 innings of work...in which case we'd obviously have a full allotment of back end guys for Saturday.

[KeithStone53151]

I also would say if we use all 3 of those guys, we are going to have a tough time getting through 9 innings on Saturday without using Garza/Guerra/Wilkerson to some degree. We'd also likely see some Drake/Torres. A victory with a significant margin today would be enormous towards helping us win tomorrow.

[jerichoholicninja]

I would think everyone, except for maybe Hader, is available every game regardless of how much they've pitched recently. At least I would hope that's what they do.

[KeithStone53151]

I would think everyone, except for maybe Hader, is available every game regardless of how much they've pitched recently. At least I would hope that's what they do.

 

Would you say a worn out Swarzak is more effective than a fresh Jeffress or Hughes? Honest question. Being able to tough it out and push yourself on a stretch run is one thing, but you need to be effective or you are better off letting the next guy pitch. And there's always a risk of pushing too far and blowing out a guys elbow, how much would it suck if that happened to knebel and he missed all of next season?

[bm1090]

I would add Hughes to the list of guys I trust. He's been solid all year and may have saved the season yesterday. Forgot about him.

[jerichoholicninja]

Jeffress is easily a guy I'd trust, Hughes is borderline. I'd take a gassed Swarzak over a 100% Torres, Drake, Wang, or Wilkerson.

[crossface21]

Well, unless he's needed tonight, Guerra is starting tomorrow. Not the news anyone wants to hear at this point.

[pacopete4]

Well, unless he's needed tonight, Guerra is starting tomorrow. Not the news anyone wants to hear at this point.

 

I did. Our opening day ace coming back to save the day. Giddy up!

[KeithStone53151]

Well, unless he's needed tonight, Guerra is starting tomorrow. Not the news anyone wants to hear at this point.

 

I did. Our opening day ace coming back to save the day. Giddy up!

 

I love your optimism, but in any other thread that should probably be blue

[pacopete4]

Well, unless he's needed tonight, Guerra is starting tomorrow. Not the news anyone wants to hear at this point.

 

I did. Our opening day ace coming back to save the day. Giddy up!

 

I love your optimism, but in any other thread that should probably be blue

 

Lol. No, no. Guerra surprised us once. He’s due to do it again.

[rcc]

Here's hoping Anderson goes deep into this ballgame. I don't want to see any Torres or Drake this weekend.

[MrTPlush]

Guerra has been really really impressive his last 5-6 appearances so I will keep an open mind. The offense needs to wake up regardless if they want to win the next 3 games.

[3and2Fastball]

Slightly shocked Thames is able to play. Figured he was done for the season after fouling that ball off his foot and having to leave the game. That looked bad