Game Thread (8/19/2022): Brewers (Ashby) at Cubs (Thompson) - 1:20 PM CDT

[willie key]

We traded for 50 relief pitchers and this strelzecki dude pitches every game 

[treego14]

Strzelecki with the game on the line?

[owbc]

Our pitching (both starting and relief) is not good. We have 1 exceptional starting pitcher, 2 serviceable ones, and 2 quality bullpen arms. 

[treego14]

3 minutes ago, treego14 said:

Strzelecki with the game on the line?

Never mind ... ?

[treego14]

Can the BOTTOM of the order pull us to the TOP?

[YelichPosse]

We have to pull this out this is not one we can afford to lose 

[YelichPosse]

Victor has wailed at about 9 pitches out of the zone today-  woof  

[Jopal78]

16 minutes ago, BruisedCrew said:

2018 is not a good example. That year the Brewers were 13-6 against the last place Reds and 7-12 (including an obligatory disaster in Pittsburgh) against the Pirates, who finished over .500 for the season and don’t really compare to the tanking teams of 2022. 
 

Against the other last place teams in the NL that year (the Padres and Marlins) the Brewers were a combined 9-4, so their record against the 3 last place teams was 22-10 (.688). 
 

The Brewers were given a gift this year being in a division with 3 of the 4 weakest teams in the NL. They haven’t taken advantage of that gift, and it’s only the high number of games against those weak teams that has kept them in the watered down playoff race. 

Maybe you're right and when the dust clears going 1-5 against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to begin August will have been outcome determinative. 

It seems sort of funny though to blame a potential failure to make the playoffs on  not have beating up on the doormats more. Of course, far simpler would be for the Brewers to beat the teams they're in competition with for the playoff spots, which they really haven't done this season: St. Louis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco (18-25 a .418 win percentage). 

[treego14]

Just now, YelichPosse said:

Victor has wailed at about 9 pitches out of the zone today-  woof  

He shouldn't be a starter on a playoff caliber team ... hopefully, Narvaez is back soon.  I would like to see a lot more of Feliciano, too!

[willie key]

That inning right there was why the brewers suck.    Caratini and Taylor strike out on pitches that don’t even start in the strike zone and then get progressively worse to bouncing in the dirt

[treego14]

Bottom of the order is hopeless!

[BruisedCrew]

The only wind that inning was the Brewers hitter flailing hopelessly at pitches in the dirt. 
 

Maybe they would have better luck just making some contact and hoping for some of those weak hits that are treated with such scorn here. 

[markedman5]

Without a 9th inning rally Brewers about to go 6-8 on the season against the 2022 Chicago Cubs……..look no further then how they’ve  played against the dregs of the division if they miss the playoffs.

[edfunderburk]

So we need another 9th inning comeback to tie a dreadful team & hope for a late inning miracle 

[Ro Mueller]

Am I wrong to wish for some boldness?

Like pinch hit Brosseau for Yelich against that lefty to try to get more out of the inning? (produced an RBI groundout)

Or pull Milner after 3 batters, so he doesn’t have to face a 3rd straight righty? (gave up 2-run jack)

Or pinch-hit Hiura for Urias or Taylor against that 8th inning righty? (both K’d)

[willie key]

6 minutes ago, YelichPosse said:

We have to pull this out this is not one we can afford to lose 

Just ridiculous to lose this game.      Again and again and again and again and again and again and again.    
 

the same same same same same ole crap

[wOOgiE22]

It is hit or miss with this team. Either they score 2 runs and have great pitching or they score 7 and have terrible pitching. Nothing comes together at once. 

[YelichPosse]

#FreeFrelick

[markedman5]

Nice job by Box

[yourout]

4 minutes ago, treego14 said:

He shouldn't be a starter on a playoff caliber team ... hopefully, Narvaez is back soon.  I would like to see a lot more of Feliciano, too!

None of the catchers are particularly good but at least Feiciano is still an unknown.

Obviously CF has to be addressed next year.

[wildcat2237]

2 minutes ago, willie key said:

Just ridiculous to lose this game.      Again and again and again and again and again and again and again.    
 

the same same same same same ole crap

I am so very ready for football season. 

[willie key]

Let hiura hit for someone this inning.      Adames can sit this one out.     

[Jopal78]

Tyrone Taylor has been brutal since May. Way to step up after they DFA'd Cain, the CF door is wide open for him and he refuses to step through. 

[willie key]

Yelich can run

[yourout]

1 minute ago, Jopal78 said:

Tyrone Taylor has been brutal since May. Way to step up after they DFA'd Cain, the CF door is wide open for him and he refuses to step through. 

For me the biggest mistake Stearns made was not finding a CF that could hit at the deadline.