2020-07-25: Brewers (Burnes) at Cubs (Darvish) [Brewers win, 8-3]

[Eye Black]

My only disappointment is that we only get to watch this Cubs bullpen for 60 games.

This. Definitely this.

[adambr2]

Not sure how that's not a strike?

[BruisedCrew]

Nice to have Suter back

 

Cubs fan?

 

Suter has been solid. Unless you were making a joke. I missed it.

 

I saw your post right after Schwarber’s HR.

[Eye Black]

Man, this place really cleared out. Typical (virtual) Cubs’ fans, I guess.

[folly412]

Not going to be showing improvement to pace of play after this one.

[Eye Black]

Maybe it will prove to be overblown, but I do think having all of these different styles of relievers could be an effective strategy over a short season and short series playoff format.

[nate82]

First win of the year finally can't believe it took until July 25th to get the first win!

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Good response to yesterday’s game. Bats showed up. Decent group pitching effort. Gives a shot for a series win on Sunday.

[Underachiever]

Weird seeing full seats behind home plate at Dodger Stadium. Will the stadium crew put away the cutouts in the seventh inning?

[markedman5]

Great win........need to stay away from getting swept in this short season........now get the chance to steal a road series tomorrow.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

The key to getting wins against the Cubs is getting to the pen. That pen is a dumpster fire.

[rickh150]

Cain with 3 hits.......nice

Rather see him leading off than Sogard. I just don't understand why Sogard is batting there, Cain is better in every way.

 

If we're essentially getting Arcia and Sogard batting one after the other let's just put them 8th and 9th rather than 9th and 1st.

 

Sogard outhit Cain last season, right? It's not a slam dunk decision. Sogard is a lefty too.

[pacopete4]

The key to getting wins against the Cubs is getting to the pen. That pen is a dumpster fire.

 

Plus a rookie manager. I like the odds of more blow ups and misuse.

[SeaBass]

Cain with 3 hits.......nice

Rather see him leading off than Sogard. I just don't understand why Sogard is batting there, Cain is better in every way.

 

If we're essentially getting Arcia and Sogard batting one after the other let's just put them 8th and 9th rather than 9th and 1st.

 

Sogard outhit Cain last season, right? It's not a slam dunk decision. Sogard is a lefty too.

Cain was dealing with injuries. His 2nd half showed a rebound to his usual numbers. This isn't Sogard hate, I'm willing to see if he can be productive coming off a decent season last year, I just don't think lead off is his ideal spot in the order as his career OBP doesn't suggest he's the greatest option there.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Sogard put together some very good ABs today. The whole lineup did, really, and getting to Darvish helps. Hope they can hang another big one on Chatwood tomorrow and Good Freddy shows up.

 

I sort of thought this series would be a sweep, so having a chance to win it is a good start.

[pacopete4]

I’d rather just start with Yelich and put Sogard/Cain at 9. They become “lead off” hitters second time around rather than getting the most opportunities for at bats every single game. It’s much like the Cubs do with Bryant and Happ.

[wildcat83]

Nice overreaction on my part.

 

You only got 60 games, you gotta get em in.

 

 

Nice win and great to have a short start and a well rested bullpen. That’s a oddity that the expanded rosters provide. Without the extra arms, key guys in the pen have to eat innings in a 5 run game.

[Eye Black]

I predict a big day for the offense. Brewers will win this one.

Nailed it!

[adambr2]

Yelich will be fine, but he's been looking rough all throughout "extended spring."

 

Presumably he will be fine eventually. But in a short season they can’t afford a month long slump from him because there isn’t anyone like Moustakas or Grandal to carry the team for a week or two.

 

Well, Narvaez is about a wash with Grandal offensively. Keston should be one of those guys, too. A .938 OPS in 348 plate appearances last year is enough to sell me.

 

It's true that they don't have a lot of offensive studs besides those guys, but they do have numerous guys who should project in the average to somewhat above average territory offensively. The nice thing they have this year as opposed to previous years is a ton of IF depth to where they can mix and match a lot and avoid having to ride cold bats.

 

Also keep in mind 30-30 is probably good enough for the playoffs this year and aside from the Dodgers who are usually head and shoulders better on paper than everyone else, 2-8 in the NL is pretty much a crapshoot.

[JohnBriggs12]

Suter could end up among league leaders in wins and never start a game. He's got 5 wins in the Brewers last 27 games.

[Pugger]

Cain with 3 hits.......nice

Rather see him leading off than Sogard. I just don't understand why Sogard is batting there, Cain is better in every way.

 

If we're essentially getting Arcia and Sogard batting one after the other let's just put them 8th and 9th rather than 9th and 1st.

 

I don't understand why Sogard is starting either. Frankly, I don't know why he is on this roster...

[Pugger]

First win of the year finally can't believe it took until July 25th to get the first win!

 

[sveumrules]

Cain with 3 hits.......nice

Rather see him leading off than Sogard. I just don't understand why Sogard is batting there, Cain is better in every way.

 

If we're essentially getting Arcia and Sogard batting one after the other let's just put them 8th and 9th rather than 9th and 1st.

 

I don't understand why Sogard is starting either. Frankly, I don't know why he is on this roster...

 

The options are (2019 stats) | [2017-19 stats]...

 

Eric (116 OPS+, 2.6 WAR) | [98 OPS+, 3.4 WAR]

Brock (101 OPS+, 1.4 WAR) | [94 OPS+, 2.5 WAR]

Jedd (33 OPS+, -0.4 WAR) | [102 OPS+, 3.7 WAR]

 

I would guess Sogard is starting because he had the best 2019 out of the available options & because batting lefty gives him the platoon advantage versus the right handed pitchers the Cubs have started thus far.