Big Picture...

[Brewcrew82]

1 minute ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

You are really taking that way too literally. 

Of course every team that wins 90+ games isn't faux competing. The larger point was that stacking regular season wins isn't what it used to be. The Brewers had a good season by most measures, but even the more optimistic posters here noted pretty much all year that they appeared to be a clear No. 3. Most people readily accepted that they were not really on the same echelon as Philly or LA. That doesn't mean you can't beat them, because baseball, but I think most would agree it was true.

You've seen this for years in the NBA where there are numerous teams every year winning between 47 and 55 games, but nobody really takes them seriously for one reason or another, and they basically always fall well short of a championship because of some very obvious thing; in the past it was the lack of a big man, now it's generally lack of star power. Because their playoffs are drastically different from their regular season. MLB is trending that way with these expanded fields.

The problem with this thesis is that teams other than the Brewers that "no one takes seriously" are the ones winning right now (i.e., Dbacks, Mets). And that the teams that everyone considers to be in the very top echelon (i.e. Dodgers) are continually falling short. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

1 minute ago, Brewcrew82 said:

The problem with this thesis is that teams other than the Brewers that "no one takes seriously" are the ones winning right now (i.e., Dbacks, Mets). And that the teams that everyone considers to be in the very top echelon (i.e. Dodgers) are continually falling short. 

The Dodgers are definitely a disappointment to their own fans I am sure, and fun to laugh at, but let's not pretend they are failing like the Brewers as far as gross results. They have been to the LCS or WS 5 times since 2013, 6 if we count that fake year they won it.

Just my opinion, but the Brewers inability to advance to 2018 can be tracked directly to the lack of premium bats in their lineup over that timespan. Maybe this year they had a couple, but they unfortunately sucked or were hurt in that 3-game span. They basically had one guy come through this time and he isn't of legal drinking age.

[Brewcrew82]

21 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

The Dodgers are definitely a disappointment to their own fans I am sure, and fun to laugh at, but let's not pretend they are failing like the Brewers as far as gross results. They have been to the LCS or WS 5 times since 2013, 6 if we count that fake year they won it.

Just my opinion, but the Brewers inability to advance to 2018 can be tracked directly to the lack of premium bats in their lineup over that timespan. Maybe this year they had a couple, but they unfortunately sucked or were hurt in that 3-game span. They basically had one guy come through this time and he isn't of legal drinking age.

But I thought that this was a byproduct of the current postseason format, so why should we be concerned about what the Dodgers did back in 2013 or even 2018? 

Also, if you extend your timeline back two years, then the Brewers can counter with two LCS appearances...

I'm just struggling to see the logic or consistency here when I feel you're mostly operating out of frustration that the randomness of the MLB postseason struck against the Brewers yet again. While ignoring that if a top 2 reliever in baseball does his job and gets two more outs the Brewers advance and have as good a shot as the Mets (who are currently up 2-1) to take out the Phillies and advance to the LCS. 

[dlk9s]

I only read a little of this thread, but my thoughts are that the Brewers have a very bright future, so I'm looking forward to that.

And while I am obviously disappointed with the Game 3 loss, it's not because I now think "we're never going to win a World Series in my lifetime." I didn't think we were going to do it this year, even after such a great regular season. I did not think we'd beat the Phillies in the NLDS and I did not think that if we did, we'd beat the Dodgers or Padres.

So I wasn't upset that our chances at a WS title were gone. I was sad that we didn't get to enjoy the thrill of a series victory and doubly sad that it was snatched away at the last second. And I was sad that we didn't get to enjoy the excitement and hope during the next series, even if it ended in a loss.

A lot of times, the thing I hate the most about my teams losing in the playoffs is that the fun is over. It's not that they didn't win a championship, it's that now I don't get to enjoy the games until the next time around.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

6 minutes ago, dlk9s said:

I only read a little of this thread, but my thoughts are that the Brewers have a very bright future, so I'm looking forward to that.

And while I am obviously disappointed with the Game 3 loss, it's not because I now think "we're never going to win a World Series in my lifetime." I didn't think we were going to do it this year, even after such a great regular season. I did not think we'd beat the Phillies in the NLDS and I did not think that if we did, we'd beat the Dodgers or Padres.

So I wasn't upset that our chances at a WS title were gone. I was sad that we didn't get to enjoy the thrill of a series victory and doubly sad that it was snatched away at the last second. And I was sad that we didn't get to enjoy the excitement and hope during the next series, even if it ended in a loss.

A lot of times, the thing I hate the most about my teams losing in the playoffs is that the fun is over. It's not that they didn't win a championship, it's that now I don't get to enjoy the games until the next time around.

I think the Brewers will win a lot of games moving ahead. I am less convinced they have the prized pieces necessary overcome the biggest obstacles. Although Chourio sure looks like one.

[homer]

I don't think the first-round bye is out of the question by any means. That is attainable. And if you get that it makes the new playoff format moot does it not?

[jay87shot]

If we have more potential spending power in a couple years would it make more sense to extend a few guys no or would it make more sense to wait until that money starts to show up.

[BruisedCrew]

2 hours ago, homer said:

They made it two years in a row. 

 

I mean sure it's harder for a team like Milwaukee but if people think they will never win a WS then why are you here? 

For one thing, I didn't say the Brewers will absolutely never win a World Series. I just said that I think it is less than a 50% probability that they'll do it in my lifetime after failing for the first 55 years that I have followed them. 

The 20 somethings who have a lot longer timeline might have a better chance of seeing one.

But, more importantly, there is entertainment to be had in following a team even if its chances of winning the ultimate championship are very slim. If everyone took your attitude, Wisconsin Badger football would have no followers at all. I am not a fan of theirs, but I would say their chances of winning the college football championship in my lifetime are lower than the Brewers chances of winning a World Series. Yet people get upset when they get steamrolled by Alabama, as if there were any reason to expect anything different.

[BruisedCrew]

25 minutes ago, homer said:

I don't think the first-round bye is out of the question by any means. That is attainable. And if you get that it makes the new playoff format moot does it not?

If you compare it to the wild card era, yes.. But not if you compare it to the 2 league, and then 4 division format that existed for many years.

[tmwiese55]

Sure adding the extra teams does make it harder than when it was just 4 on each side.  But generally speaking, baseball playoffs are still the flukiest off all sports besides march madness.   So yes, the added round did make it harder, but the nature of the playoffs themselves is a key as to why MKE actually has a chance every year they make it.  

We're frustrated that as a consistently good team we keep losing so kind of looking at it from the normal big market perspective in that sense.  But, the overall nature of MLB playoffs is what even gives the small market team like MKE a legit chance. So in a way its a chicken/egg or catch22.  We have a chance because of the fluky system, but right now we're on the bad end of the fluky so we complain about it.  This system is far superior to the past which would have had NYY/LAD as 50% of the playoff teams every year. The fluky and bloated system is what's giving us a chance, so we can't really get too mad at it(other than generally pushing for salary rules similar to NFL/NBA so things are even). 

3/4 teams in the AL right now are KC, Det, Cle.  And sure the Yanks will probably still win but in baseball no game is more than 60/40 at this stage so its not some foregone conclusion the others have no chance.  If we keep getting there every year there will be a deep run eventually. There is really nothing structurally/strategically different they should be doing for us to be angry at or 'demand more' etc. You just have to keep rolling the dice.  I'd say the strategic 1-2 year 'go for it' spending moves could be increased. But IMO they have been open to it when the situation presents it like it did with Moose/Grandal/Hoskins. So generally I think they do have that as part of the strategy like they should.

[FidoMcCokefiend]

This franchise is in significantly better shape than at any point, and it's much better to be a fan than any other period outside of possibly 78-82. I don't take it for granted at all. Period. I remember 2002. I remember 1977. 

But, it's OK for expectations to be raised. That's how success works. I'm not saying win a World Series or I'll quit. But it is OK to have higher expectations than happy just being in the playoffs. And I'm fairly certain the Brewers management is already in this space. 

What bothers me most about the exits the last several years is specifically because you just don't know what will happen. Maybe the Phillies crap the bed. Maybe the Brewers bats go crazy against San Diego. Maybe the Guardians hit a wall. I continue to tell myself that "if KC could do this, so can Milwaukee." But, damn it sucks blowing game 3 and squandering opportunities like the last several years, as it makes it really hard to test that theory. And every squandered opportunity hurts when you've been around long enough to know that future opportunities are never a given. 

Finally, I don't think, or expect, this franchise will ever win the World Series. It's too damn hard for a franchise with every advantage like the Yankees to do it. To expect this one to, is silly in so many ways. Doesn't mean I don't hope for it more than anything else in my sports fandom. Doesn't mean I won't be crushed when they lose in the playoffs. Doesn't mean I won't let the thoughts that they will slip into my brain again next year. 

The future seems as bright as it ever has, but I also think we're at the point where we should win at least one playoff series for that season to be considered a success, Again, I'm not saying quit or throw tantrums if they don't, but we've hit a level of success, and it's time to raise the bar.  

[Sixtolezcano]

4 hours ago, Brewcrew82 said:

But I thought that this was a byproduct of the current postseason format, so why should we be concerned about what the Dodgers did back in 2013 or even 2018? 

Also, if you extend your timeline back two years, then the Brewers can counter with two LCS appearances...

I'm just struggling to see the logic or consistency here when I feel you're mostly operating out of frustration that the randomness of the MLB postseason struck against the Brewers yet again. While ignoring that if a top 2 reliever in baseball does his job and gets two more outs the Brewers advance and have as good a shot as the Mets (who are currently up 2-1) to take out the Phillies and advance to the LCS. 

If, if ,if. I just love posters rationalizing that since the Mets are up 2-1 against the Phillies the Brewers would have just as “good a shot” too. They also have “just “as good a shot” as being eliminated 3-0. Some Brewer fan are great at rationalizing reality.Whatever it takes.

[Austin Tatious]

The Brewers have been consistently good since David Stearns came and in and it has continued with Arnold.  They have developed internal analytics which have helped on the field and in metrics used to select talent; built up better relationships in Latin America; have drafted better;  and player development has improved.  

In prior decades, the teams of at least 1978, 1979, 1987, and 1992 were no doubt playoff teams by today’s standards.   So counting the number of playoff appearances in recent years is not comparable.

But there were steep falloffs around those playoff runs.  The years between 1992 (when Molitor left) and 2007 were brutal.  That was an incredibly long period of time that was so bleak and not fun.  We had another drop off even after Fielder left.  

The nice thing about the current regime is we have turned over the roster in recent years and stayed competitive (2020 being a farce).  It’s fun to be a fan of an organization like this.  

[markedman5]

Update

My depression has now passed and I’m already looking forward to spring training.

[tmwiese55]

I know its seems we're cursed and can't win.  But seriously, look at what Det is doing.   All of our teams the last chunk of years has been better than them.  It sucks for us on the other end of it, but we've just been on the bad end of the flukiness of baseball playoffs.    Good for KC, AZ, and now possibly Det to be on the other end.    

Also, Cle fans have to be feeling pretty similar.  Sure, had the WS run in '16 only to have your heart ripped out in game 7. Since then its been pretty much like us. 

[Playing Catch]

5 hours ago, tmwiese55 said:

But generally speaking, baseball playoffs are still the flukiest off all sports besides march madness.

I respectfully disagree...

In March Madness the team that plays better wins nearly every game. In baseball, the team that plays better STILL LOSES 4 out of 10 games.

[pitchleague]

I seriously believe that in the next decade or so MLB will copy the NBA and have a mid-season tournament just for kicks.  It would be best-of-one all the way til the end.  And it would be a cash cow.  Especially if they play the whole tournament over one week, in various locations like the WBC.  Heck, they could rotate the “title game” so every MLB city gets to host it once every 30 years.

 

Okay, maybe this wouldn’t happen.  But I wouldn’t be shocked at all.

What does this have to do with this thread?  Well, maybe this would be our best chance to “win it all.”  LOL

 

 

[brewmann04]

It stinks the he brewers payroll not going up 

[Playing Catch]

11 hours ago, pitchleague said:

I seriously believe that in the next decade or so MLB will copy the NBA and have a mid-season tournament just for kicks.  It would be best-of-one all the way til the end.  And it would be a cash cow.  Especially if they play the whole tournament over one week, in various locations like the WBC.

I decided to start a thread due to your thought, here.

As you can see in my OP, I actually think that wouldn't be the worst idea.

[brewers888]

The big picture is we haven't won a series since 2018 and are one of the only franchises to have never won the World Series. 

[nate82]

39 minutes ago, brewers888 said:

The big picture is we haven't won a series since 2018 and are one of the only franchises to have never won the World Series. 

When did the Mariners, Padres and Rays win a World Series?

[CheezWizHed]

On 10/9/2024 at 4:14 PM, Sixtolezcano said:

If, if ,if. I just love posters rationalizing that since the Mets are up 2-1 against the Phillies the Brewers would have just as “good a shot” too. They also have “just “as good a shot” as being eliminated 3-0. Some Brewer fan are great at rationalizing reality.Whatever it takes.

I cheer for the Mets to win the WS just so I can assume the Brewers were the second-best team in the playoffs. 😉

My summary thoughts on the thread.  Losing sucks.  31 teams end the year by losing (either in the playoffs or out).  

I do think the team is positioned well for the future by still having a deep farm system and having so many young players be main contributors.  Per the record prediction thread, the Brewers outplayed everyone's expectations(except @homer's 162 win prediction).  I, like many people, thought they would hover around 500 after losing their 2 best pitchers. 

The Brewers right now compare to the Packers team by having good coaches and young ascending players in the right positions.  Then compare that to the Bucks, who have been patching holes on the team and coaching staff since they won the championship.  I have better feelings for the future of those two teams winning a championship before another Giannis led one. 

[brewers888]

1 hour ago, nate82 said:

When did the Mariners, Padres and Rays win a World Series?

You skipped the part where it says ONE of the only franchises to have never won the World Series.

[StearnsFTW]

On 10/8/2024 at 7:10 PM, OldSchoolSnapper said:

What a weird dig. 

I would expect that most would be disappointed if something like that happened. Then again maybe not considering how happy this place seems to be about  getting knocked out of the wild card repeatedly.

Everyone keeps talking about the World Series, too. There exists a middle ground between winning the World Series and what the Brewers are doing, which to be perhaps overly harsh, could be labeled as faux competing. Sure they are making it, but no one really considers them a contender. 

Not weird at all.

I would expect you'd keep the same attitude.

 

Which is certainly your prerogative.  I just don't understand why someone would come to this board to proclaim their miserableness repeatedly.

 

To each their own I suppose.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

58 minutes ago, StearnsFTW said:

Not weird at all.

I would expect you'd keep the same attitude.

 

Which is certainly your prerogative.  I just don't understand why someone would come to this board to proclaim their miserableness repeatedly.

 

To each their own I suppose.

Well it didn't really make any sense. I made a comment about people telling me 10 years from now if they still haven't gotten out of the first round, that it's still "just bad luck." You said you'd expect me to have the same energy, which, after 10 years, why wouldn't you? Lol. Just a bad joke.

And who is miserable? This is what drives me insane around here. Simply making an observation that isn't rainbows and unicorns doesn't make anyone "miserable." 

I am a Brewers fan that doesn't think they are a legitimate contender in MLB's landscape, the same way that an 8th seed isn't a contender in the NBA. It's not nearly as extreme as the NBA, but that is how I see the Brewers. They will have to fall on EXTREME fortune to ever win a WS, but forget about that, they can't seem to get out of the Wild Card as of late.

Winning the division excited me 12 years ago; now that half the league gets into the playoffs and we've done it 10 times, it's not really that satisfying anymore. Personally I think it's weird to feel otherwise, but w/e I guess. Sure it is better than winning 60 games and being cooked by May 10, but why is that the only alternative?