Pirates at Brewers; Tuesday, August 12 @ 6:40 p.m.: Freddy Peralta (3.03 ERA, 3.85 FIP) vs. Paul Skenes (1.94 ERA, 2.32 FIP)

[Bulldogboy]

12 minutes ago, SRB said:

It's not totally egregious because we are a balanced team rather than one built around a superstar, but not including Contreras is pretty egregious. He's in the top 10 for positional player fWAR over the last three seasons, and even in this "down" year he's going to be a 4 WAR player by the end of it.

I agree with this. Given his importance and the position he plays i thought he was a lock. Down year not withstanding 

[formerlybis]

2 hours ago, rluzinski said:

I have no idea how ESPN compiles that list but I do not think it is outrageous that the Brewers do not have a player in the top 50.  Just looking at fWAR for pitchers, the top Brewer is Freddy at 29th (2.3 WAR). For position players, Contreras is at 40th (3.0 WAR).  Overall, there are 55 players with an fWAR of 3.0 or higher.

The team as a whole has excellent metrics all over the place, but it is because have just been solid from top to almost bottom.

On offense, baseball's really more of an individual sport than say basketball or football. You can measure who the best individual offensive producers are. Yeah, the individual Brewers aren't on the top end of those lists, but they are playing much more like a team on offense than just about everyone else. I don't know the stats to prove it, but everyone sees that undeniable woodpeckers vibe.

[markedman5]

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, rluzinski said:

I have no idea how ESPN compiles that list but I do not think it is outrageous that the Brewers do not have a player in the top 50.  Just looking at fWAR for pitchers, the top Brewer is Freddy at 29th (2.3 WAR). For position players, Contreras is at 40th (3.0 WAR).  Overall, there are 55 players with an fWAR of 3.0 or higher.

The team as a whole has excellent metrics all over the place, but it is because have just been solid from top to almost bottom.

I think it can be argued that no Brewers being on a top 50 list has some validity. But I think it can also be argued that if a few of those players were on either coast & had the same numbers they'd be included.

IMO this is an example of the "whole greater than the sum" theory @LouisElymentioned. But it can also be labeled as typical of ESPN.

[Zad Fnark]

6 hours ago, formerlybis said:

I mean, how can you be uneasy about any game any more? Only half-joking - despite the Skenes factor, I kinda do have the feeling the Brewers are more likely to win tonight

Reverse Jinx, I  hope.  Hopefully all you Milwaukee guys can bankrupt Geroge Webb this week.  😄

[edfunderburk]

This trifecta is truly amazing & I would imagine extremely rare …

[OldHeidelberg]

2 hours ago, Bulldogboy said:

I agree with this. Given his importance and the position he plays i thought he was a lock. Down year not withstanding 

The article did say it was top 50 THIS season. I originally read it like the off-season NFL lists where it is more about player value. So now I am reminded of a previous post pointing out that Collins’ WAR is the same as Suarez with less playing time. 🙂

[Nola Beery]

5 hours ago, Bulldogboy said:

Espn release a ranking of top 50 players in baseball. Brewers are one of three teams in nl without anyone on the list. Unbelievable. What does this say? Murphy a magician? Seems impossible but at least this year it's true.

ESPN (et al.) is more concerned with individual hot-shot players than with teams. Sometime I wonder if their jabber-heads ever actually watch a whole game. 

[kevinisaname]

Oh boy, if that first pitch is any indication, this strike zone is going to be baaaad.

[Simba2020]

2 minutes ago, kevinisaname said:

Oh boy, if that first pitch is any indication, this strike zone is going to be baaaad.

That might have been the most egregious strike call I've seen all year.

[kevinisaname]

I feel like Freddy hasn't had a quick first inning in a while. That's a good sign. I predict this strike zone is going to get someone ejected tonight.

[kevinisaname]

SAL. FRELICK!

[Frisbee Slider]

4 minutes ago, Simba2020 said:

That might have been the most egregious strike call I've seen all year.

[Zad Fnark]

Feeling better already.  😊

[BarremlensTSSC]

Just a phenomenal at bat to open the game from Frelick.  Wow.

[adambr2]

Man, that was one hell of an AB by Frelick against Skenes. Make him throw 8 pitches and finish with a HR?

[torts]

Nothing to skenes here tonight 

[yfinn6]

1 minute ago, torts said:

Nothing to skenes here tonight 

That's what I'm seeing, too. It's early. Hopefully the Brewers can make him work before he can settle in. 

[kevinisaname]

Just missed it after swinging at ball four.

[folly412]

I couldn't figure out why Murph had Turang leading off yesterday and back to Sal today.  That's some crazy stuff.

[BCF]

25 pitch first inning for Skenes 

[kevinisaname]

Got the lead and made him throw 25 pitches. I'll take that any day.

[Bulldogboy]

25 pitch first inning there

[adambr2]

Score a run off Skenes and make him throw 25 pitches every inning and we should have a pretty solid night.

[BarremlensTSSC]

I'll take a run scored and 25 pitches on Skenes in the 1st inning.