Game Thread (8/31/2022): Pirates (Thompson) at Brewers (Peralta) - 1:10 PM CDT

[Eye Black]

[Nola Beery]

Apologies for the self-indulgent repetition of this little manifesto from the end of yesterday's game thread:

Safe to say I am the newest of newbie Brewer fans around here.  After many years of inexplicable loyalty to the Montreal Expos, I wandered in the wilderness after they moved to DC.  I became a 3/4-hearted Dodger fan due to an earlier childhood affection dating back to Koufax & Drysadale & then the LaSorda teams.  But I couldn't love them. I finally decided, very deliberately, to be a Brewers fan after the 2018 NLCS against the Dodgers.  They showed so much fight, and a friend from Wisconsin is a die-hard fan.  Plus, they had become a National League team, which meant something at the time. AND their mascot makes beer! Yes!!  Yet I understand the disappointment of long-time fans  (ever heard of the New Orleans Aints?).    Yes, this team's relentless mediocrity, especially with the bat, is disheartening.  But I figure you just try to enjoy the wins and forget the losses (after a suitable period of lamentation and venting.)  It's still baseball you can care about, and it's a long time without baseball between the World Series and Opening Day.  Enjoy is for what it is..    

[KeithStone53151]

Yesterday's game, I didn't look back at the game thread for obvious reasons...but I'm sure many were questioning CC's decision to leave boxberger in when he clearly wasn't super sharp. I'm normally very critical of CC, but in this case I understood why he kept him in. Unfortunately, we're in a long stretch of games without an off day. We do have reinforcements coming soon, but it's pretty important that the bullpen is effective and can continue to get rest as needed. That decision was basically the anti-Joe Maddon...and Joe Maddon was notorious for overplaying matchups and then 3/4 of his bullpen would be injured or ineffective by July. It happened this way either 3 or 4 years in a row and was part of the reason the Cubs didn't win multiple WS with that core...and also part of the reason he's been canned twice in the last few years. 

Point being, pulling Boxberger was probably something he didn't feel comfortable doing as he would have overstressed one or multiple arms over the next few weeks by making that decision...and I can understand the decision. It'll be helpful when we can get a couple reinforcements like Houser, Cousins, Gott, etc...guys that can hopefully quickly work themselves into working high leverage situations down the stretch to take some pressure off Milner/Bush/Strezwhatever.

[treego14]

Freddy is Ready!

Let's attack Zach!  

Thompson is in for a Thumpin'!

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:

Brewers 8  Pirates 4

[Hopper]

59 minutes ago, KeithStone53151 said:

Yesterday's game, I didn't look back at the game thread for obvious reasons...

Those reasons being?

[treego14]

21 minutes ago, treego14 said:

Freddy is Ready!

Let's attack Zach!  

Thompson is in for a Thumpin'!

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:

Brewers 8  Pirates 4

Hopper is cheering for the Pirates, apparently.  ?

[treego14]

[yourout]

2 hours ago, KeithStone53151 said:

Yesterday's game, I didn't look back at the game thread for obvious reasons...but I'm sure many were questioning CC's decision to leave boxberger in when he clearly wasn't super sharp. I'm normally very critical of CC, but in this case I understood why he kept him in. Unfortunately, we're in a long stretch of games without an off day. We do have reinforcements coming soon, but it's pretty important that the bullpen is effective and can continue to get rest as needed. That decision was basically the anti-Joe Maddon...and Joe Maddon was notorious for overplaying matchups and then 3/4 of his bullpen would be injured or ineffective by July. It happened this way either 3 or 4 years in a row and was part of the reason the Cubs didn't win multiple WS with that core...and also part of the reason he's been canned twice in the last few years. 

Point being, pulling Boxberger was probably something he didn't feel comfortable doing as he would have overstressed one or multiple arms over the next few weeks by making that decision...and I can understand the decision. It'll be helpful when we can get a couple reinforcements like Houser, Cousins, Gott, etc...guys that can hopefully quickly work themselves into working high leverage situations down the stretch to take some pressure off Milner/Bush/Strezwhatever.

I was more upset that it wasn't a lefty facing Cruz and Reynolds and Gamel to start with.

[KeithStone53151]

10 minutes ago, yourout said:

I was more upset that it wasn't a lefty facing Cruz and Reynolds and Gamel to start with.

Whenever I question a managers decisions(which as a fan is often), I try to distinguish between whether I view something as a choice and a mistake. Like yes maybe you pitch Rogers over Boxberger which seems to be what you're implying, my guess is Rogers was lined up for the 9th. I view that inning as a choice, I didn't see any glaring errors. Whereas leaving Hader in when we had him as long as he did against the Giants I viewed as a very glaring error.

Starting Taylor today is also a choice. I would certainly prefer to see Mitchell in there, but I also understand not going to a hard platoon with Mitchell at this point and having Taylor rarely see atbats. I'm kinda hoping Mitchell gets at least 4 starts per week and sees action on days he doesn't start(he's the best outfield defender in the entire system plus the speed thing), but to this point I don't see CC making mistakes with Mitchell's playing time as he did with Hiura this season.

[BruisedCrew]

Today’s game will determine whether this homestand will be a minor disappointment or another step backward. 
 

Winning 4 of 6 at home against these teams is not a way to gain ground against playoff contenders. Going 3-3 at this stage of the season and given the Brewers position is a failure. 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

7 minutes ago, BruisedCrew said:

Today’s game will determine whether this homestand will be a minor disappointment or another step backward. 
 

Winning 4 of 6 at home against these teams is not a way to gain ground against playoff contenders. Going 3-3 at this stage of the season and given the Brewers position is a failure. 

Yep, big game today. Not a season-ender by any means, but it's definitely one they need to put in the W column to keep pace in the Wild Card hunt. They'd have to have a crazy September to catch the Cards at this point I think.

[NBBrewFan]

They just seem to be treading water.  We need to start seeing 6-4, 7-3 and 8-2 as the Last10 games instead of the current 5-5 and lower that they seem to be having for months.  I agree this is an important game, but they all are beginning to be important at this point.

[treego14]

Yeli is on pace for 27 put-outs!

[Nola Beery]

4 hours ago, KeithStone53151 said:

Yesterday's game, I didn't look back at the game thread for obvious reasons...but I'm sure many were questioning CC's decision to leave boxberger in when he clearly wasn't super sharp. I'm normally very critical of CC, but in this case I understood why he kept him in. Unfortunately, we're in a long stretch of games without an off day. We do have reinforcements coming soon, but it's pretty important that the bullpen is effective and can continue to get rest as needed. That decision was basically the anti-Joe Maddon...and Joe Maddon was notorious for overplaying matchups and then 3/4 of his bullpen would be injured or ineffective by July. It happened this way either 3 or 4 years in a row and was part of the reason the Cubs didn't win multiple WS with that core...and also part of the reason he's been canned twice in the last few years. 

Point being, pulling Boxberger was probably something he didn't feel comfortable doing as he would have overstressed one or multiple arms over the next few weeks by making that decision...and I can understand the decision. It'll be helpful when we can get a couple reinforcements like Houser, Cousins, Gott, etc...guys that can hopefully quickly work themselves into working high leverage situations down the stretch to take some pressure off Milner/Bush/Strezwhatever.

I tend to agree generally and in the long term of a season.  But at some point (like maybe September 1?), you need all hands on deck now, to win today.  Guys have to find a will and a way to pitch or play.  What good is it to have a well-rested bullpen when you have no more games to play?  This is the time you saved players for all year.    

[KeithStone53151]

4 minutes ago, Nola Beery said:

I tend to agree generally and in the long term of a season.  But at some point (like maybe September 1?), you need all hands on deck now, to win today.  Guys have to find a will and a way to pitch or play.  What good is it to have a well-rested bullpen when you have no more games to play?  This is the time you saved players for all year.    

I get your point, certainly a balancing act. Also need to remember CC has far more info on who's available, who's dealing with fatigue, who's dealing with a sore elbow, who's battling a cold, etc...than you or I. 

[Sixtolezcano]

59 minutes ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

Yep, big game today. Not a season-ender by any means, but it's definitely one they need to put in the W column to keep pace in the Wild Card hunt. They'd have to have a crazy September to catch the Cards at this point I think.

Remember the Padres have the second most difficult remaining schedule left.

[NBBrewFan]

At least Freddy is keeping pace with Cy Opposing Pitcher.

[phnxcrew]

Lol.  The bottom feeder gamel is going to have another game off of us.  that’s how teams must feel when mccutchen had his two good games this year

[stoutdude04]

4 minutes ago, phnxcrew said:

Lol.  The bottom feeder gamel is going to have another game off of us.  that’s how teams must feel when mccutchen had his two good games this year

Babe Gamel strikes again.

[stoutdude04]

Another 100+ mph out.  Drat.

[wildcat2237]

Just tuning in. I see 4 scoreless innings against a RHP with an ERA over 5. 

Lovely. 

[yourout]

The Brewers are very consistent about one thing........They rarely score without HRs.

[Fear The Chorizo]

jeez Rowdy...

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

1 minute ago, yourout said:

The Brewers are very consistent about one thing........They rarely score without HRs.

I agree ... but it is ironic that the team was literally in the process of scoring a run on an RBI double as you posted this.

[Simba2020]

1-0 nothing game and both starters are out. What has happened to baseball?