Red Sox at Brewers; Wednesday, May 28 @ 12:10 p.m.: Freddy Peralta (2.55 ERA, 3.89 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (4.08 ERA, 4.89 FIP)

[mudbutt]

9 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I get that Raffy could be handling this better but good managers prepare their team the best they can. The Red Sox aren't doing this with their best player, which means they're not managing this well.

If you don't want a public kerfuffle about something, you keep the discussion out of the public eye by making sure everybody is aware of the situation and hopefully on the same page.

They did talk to him privately about it and he was adamant he is a third baseman.  I'm sure the Red Sox probably previously broached the subject to him in years past because dude is a train wreck there.  They basically had to compromise by just having him DH and then he got all petulant about being asked to play first base after injuries mid year.  I mean in Spring Training this year after they signed Bregmann, this is his quote: “Third base is my position,” said Devers. “It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of what my desires were and whatever happens from here, I don’t know.” 

[Jim French Stepstool]

36 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

 and also catching hell from the (often unfair and unreasonable) Boston media.

Going back to Ted Williams' time, although he wasn't the most pleasant guy to talk to or interview. If you're a sports reporter in the northeast you're kind of a different animal.

[TURBO]

37 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Devers isn't a happy guy right now. He's being jerked around by the front office and also catching hell from the (often unfair and unreasonable) Boston media.

That's one opinion.  Seems to me like he just isn't a team player, and wants only what is best for him.  How is he being jerked around?

He was asked to possibly DH only this season after signing Bregman, he said nope, I'm a 3B.  He was asked to start playing some 1B after Casas went down.  He said nope.

I don't find those requests to be "jerking a guy around," I find them to be requests that could help the team win some games.

Team be damned.  He comes off as a selfish little baby if you ask me.

[Joseph Zarr]

31 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

There must be a better metaphor available somewhere 😁

[Playing Catch]

Obviously, a great win today.

Murphy, I thought, was pretty forthcoming about how they went about the bullpen decisions after the game. It's still fair to hate the rationale, but he's not pulling decisions out of nowhere, or just "going with his gut," as his persona would imply.

I also don't think there have been too many of the "sell now," opinion, actually. I know when I've swayed that direction, I always had a faint hope they'd go 20-5, or something, and keep trying to win, because they are an easy team to root for.

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, edfunderburk said:

Frelick’s my favorite current Brewers player

I believe his 9th inning hit last night to tie the game was huge … it sounded like a Molitor hit back in the day

His OF assist (throes to 3rd base last night) was also a key to victory 

Frelick showed up ready to play again today - truly a quality MLB player

After watching him for awhile in his rookie season I came to the conclusion that the kid is a winner. To me it's an intrinsic thing & that people trying to measure it through analytics are wasting their time. I think he's taken a huge step this year with his ability to compete, and compete well, vs LHP. 

And despite Chourios' struggles w/the glove I think we're seeing reasons why it was always advisable to leave Frelick in RF. It sure paid off this week especially.

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

You are a MAD MAN. Nobody should get in the way of our great MOTY award winner. He is in a League of his own. 

Man, I really want to like Murphy. I sincerely do. He's a likable human. BUT, I'm sorry. He is not a good MLB manager. A significant part of helping your MLB team win ball games is reading the tea leaves and orchestrating the pitching staff. To this end, he is a drunken blind man. It's maddening. Truly maddening. These are not hard decisions. They are stubborn and truly poor 'feel' decisions demonstrating he doesn't actually understand what the numbers are telling all of us. OR, he flat doesn't care and thinks he is smarter than the game. You can't 'hope' for outcomes. You play probabilities and percentages. These types of probability and statistically backed decisions are truly the only bullpen logic we have in baseball. Man. It's just painful.

 

Yet they won. Maybe just maybe he’s right and you’re not. Or maybe the in game decisions don’t really matter too much and it’s players who wins games 

[Jim French Stepstool]

35 minutes ago, Brian said:

Durbin .308 last seven games!

Another guy that I'm tempted to hang the 'winner' tag on. It's not as easy a fit as it is for Frelick, because we just don't know if he can stick at 3B moving forward & therefore we don't know the true defensive value. But 21 RBI on the season--a season that didn't start (up here) until April 18th  (I know many analytics people scoff at the RBI stat; I disagree).

It's a lot of fun to see the confidence & comfort level grow before our eyes.

[Joseph Zarr]

8 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Yet they won. Maybe just maybe he’s right and you’re not. Or maybe the in game decisions don’t really matter too much and it’s players who wins games 

<cue Lebowski Nihlists gif>

Is this some sage wisdom? It's the players who win games? Sure. The manager also puts the players in positions to succeed. Clearly you have never watched Glenn 'Doc' Rivers 'manage' an NBA basketball game. I traded crypto and Forex for years (I still do, casually, but with a much smaller play purse). It would be just an asinine approach for any trader to say: "Meh, let me just enter the game. I don't win these trades the Buy and Sell Order do." No. You play probabilities and percentages. You know certain patterns, especially when combined, give a probability of outcomes. None of this is rocket science. I promise you. You play the odds. Because, that is what history tells us has the best chance for success. 

Anywho, I'm not trying to get into fights over Murf's management style (if we can call it that). It's very fair to say I don't appreciate his approach. 😂

[Jim French Stepstool]

30 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

As a journalism major & former college newspaper editor, I want to give you kudos for your use of the word “kerfuffle” … simply brilliant! 👏💪👏🏆

I made room for it on my mantel. It's sitting up there next to 'cromulent'.

[Playing Catch]

5 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

<cue Lebowski Nihlists gif>

Is this some sage wisdom? It's the players who win games? Sure. The manager also puts the players in positions to succeed. Clearly you have never watched Glenn 'Doc' Rivers 'manage' an NBA basketball game. I traded crypto and Forex for years (I still do, casually, but with a much smaller play purse). It would be just an asinine approach for any trader to say: "Meh, let me just enter the game. I don't win these trades the Buy and Sell Order do." No. You play probabilities and percentages. You know certain patterns, especially when combined, give a probability of outcomes. None of this is rocket science. I promise you. You play the odds. Because, that is what history tells us has the best chance for success. 

Admit it. You just don't want the big club to keep raiding Nashville's staff.

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, Playing Catch said:

Admit it. You just don't want the big club to keep raiding Nashville's staff.

Legit made me LOL. Well played.

 

[LouisEly]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

This 'W' tastes like a wet fart. I guess I like the taste of wet farts? I need help. 

I think this win tastes like a nice, big, juicy, grilled Usinger's bratwurst with Stadium Secret Sauce on top of it.

And yes, you need help. 😉

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, LouisEly said:

I think this win tastes like a nice, big, juicy, grilled Usinger's bratwurst with Stadium Secret Sauce on top of it.

And yes, you need help. 😉

(I hope you know I am also having fun amidst my cope)

[Jim French Stepstool]

19 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

Obviously, a great win today.

Murphy, I thought, was pretty forthcoming about how they went about the bullpen decisions after the game. It's still fair to hate the rationale, but he's not pulling decisions out of nowhere, or just "going with his gut," as his persona would imply.

I also don't think there have been too many of the "sell now," opinion, actually. I know when I've swayed that direction, I always had a faint hope they'd go 20-5, or something, and keep trying to win, because they are an easy team to root for.

As for BP decisions today......I thought one difference could've been one inning out of Mears, then start the 7th with Alexander & go 2 or 3 innings with him--sort of like what Boston did. I'm not a huge fan of Alexander but you're to the point where you HAVE to get some length out of someone. Maybe it keeps Abreu in the ballpark in the 7th, too.

Let's remember there really isn't much opportunity to 'sell now', unless you can find a single buyer & get that much better of an offer than if you were to wait. The trade market will get much warmer down the road.

[jay87shot]

Great win today, exciting series. Durbin has been sneaky good the past week or so. 

Here's to fixing our road issue in Philly after a much deserved day off.

[Playing Catch]

10 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I thought one difference could've been one inning out of Mears, then start the 7th with Alexander & go 2 or 3 innings with him--sort of like what Boston did. I'm not a huge fan of Alexander but you're to the point where you HAVE to get some length out of someone.

I guess I am hoping that Jim Henderson has a big enough voice in the manager's office that he is fully aware of how taxed guys' arms are, and that they aren't needlessly endangering them to injury (recognizing that guys can blow elbows in any number of pitching scenarios). And part of navigating injury is giving guys more time off, even if fans think the time between appearances has been enough rest.

Admittedly, it's a pet theory I've mentioned a few times, but isn't the logical conclusion to the current momentum of pitching staff management just a whole bunch of guys that can go through the order one time?

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Today is as optimistic as I have felt about this team this year. They have overcome a lot (plenty of it self-inflicted) to get to 29-28. The fight is impressive.

No idea how good I think they can be. Is this a playoff team? I still think probably not, even with a lot of returning pitching. A lot of it comes down to: can we defend at an elite level? And, are these hitters due for some positive regression, or is this kind of who they are at this point in their careers?

I know this: we are going to have to get longer starting pitching and more slugging to contend. But that seems likelier to happen than this time last week. 

Need a good road trip.

 

[Jopal78]

48 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

<cue Lebowski Nihlists gif>

Is this some sage wisdom? It's the players who win games? Sure. The manager also puts the players in positions to succeed. Clearly you have never watched Glenn 'Doc' Rivers 'manage' an NBA basketball game. I traded crypto and Forex for years (I still do, casually, but with a much smaller play purse). It would be just an asinine approach for any trader to say: "Meh, let me just enter the game. I don't win these trades the Buy and Sell Order do." No. You play probabilities and percentages. You know certain patterns, especially when combined, give a probability of outcomes. None of this is rocket science. I promise you. You play the odds. Because, that is what history tells us has the best chance for success. 

Anywho, I'm not trying to get into fights over Murf's management style (if we can call it that). It's very fair to say I don't appreciate his approach. 😂

I’m not going to touch the wisdom in day trading, but it’s not something that’s generally part of good financial planning. So maybe you and Murphy have something in common despite making bad decisions you come out smelling like a rose.
 

But kidding aside , you’re Monday morning quarterbacking. Murphy could push all the wrong buttons and they win like today. Or just as easily he could make all the best moves and the team  still loses. There’s no real way to quantify in game decisions besides starting from a negative outcome and saying, “See? He sucks”.

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, Jopal78 said:

I’m not going to touch the wisdom in day trading, but it’s not something that’s generally part of good financial planning. So maybe you and Murphy have something in common despite making bad decisions. 
 

But kidding aside , you’re Monday morning quarterbacking. Murphy could push all the wrong buttons and they win like today. Or just as easily he could make all the best moves and the team  still loses. There’s no real way to quantify in game decisions besides starting from a negative outcome and saying, “See? He sucks”.

We have devolved. I could say quite a bit here - but, glad you feel comfortable playing the part of armchair financial strategist. Incredible. If you only knew (which you don't). I'm going to simply take the high road and declare confidently: we disagree entirely on how we view this entire conversation. I'm fine with it. The Brewers winning with poor strategy and rationale doesn't mean they didn't win via poor strategy and rationale. The two are not mutually exclusive. You feel they are. That's fine. Enjoy that POV. I don't begrudge it. 

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

15 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

I guess I am hoping that Jim Henderson has a big enough voice in the manager's office that he is fully aware of how taxed guys' arms are, and that they aren't needlessly endangering them to injury (recognizing that guys can blow elbows in any number of pitching scenarios). And part of navigating injury is giving guys more time off, even if fans think the time between appearances has been enough rest.

Admittedly, it's a pet theory I've mentioned a few times, but isn't the logical conclusion to the current momentum of pitching staff management just a whole bunch of guys that can go through the order one time?

I have to believe everyone (Henderson, Hook, Murphy) is fully aware of the need to monitor rest/availability regarding the pen. As I've mentioned before, so much of this is on the starters. Milwaukee is in the bottom 5 or so teams in MLB in avg innings per start. Peralta was in the mid-fifties in pitch count after two innings today, and he's one of the people you'd hope could give you some length. That has to change (as do the outings where a starter is doing OK pitch-count wise but gets pulled).

The parenthesized is, of course, due to the dreaded "third time through" monster. Teams will always have pitchers capable of throwing 2 or even 3 times through an order. Milwaukee actually could build a staff like you suggest, once people get healthy. But I think the L vs R thing later in games will always supersede. I wouldn't be surprised if someone tries it someday though.

[Jim French Stepstool]

24 minutes ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

 A lot of it comes down to: can we defend at an elite level? 

 

A very good point that gets overlooked, which is a little strange since it was such a big part of their success in recent years. So far this year it's been one of the big differences between "Eh, they're a .500 team" & the national pundits asking "How do they keep doing this?"

[AKCheesehead]

2 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

This 'W' tastes like a wet fart. I guess I like the taste of wet farts? I need help. 

If a come from behind walk off win to sweep Boston is a wet fart, pass me the prune juice.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, AKCheesehead said:

If a come from behind walk off win to sweep Boston is a wet fart, pass me the prune juice.

[Fear The Chorizo]

2 hours ago, TURBO said:

That's one opinion.  Seems to me like he just isn't a team player, and wants only what is best for him.  How is he being jerked around?

He was asked to possibly DH only this season after signing Bregman, he said nope, I'm a 3B.  He was asked to start playing some 1B after Casas went down.  He said nope.

I don't find those requests to be "jerking a guy around," I find them to be requests that could help the team win some games.

Team be damned.  He comes off as a selfish little baby if you ask me.

If Devers was actually a competent 3b, Bregman never gets signed.  He got the current fiasco going with the NE sprts media just as much if not moreso than the front office.

Braun moved all over the field to keep his bat in the lineup, and i dont recall him ever griping about position changes.