Brewers (Patrick) vs Padres (Cease): 9/24/25, 3:10pm

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Re: Murph the in-game manager:

The guy makes some calls that look super-duper weird (even indefensible) to anyone used to thinking about platoon advantages and reliever rest. Like, I genuinely believe the guy manages with his gut. That's going to take a lot of flak in the stats era, and, full disclosure, it's not my preferred style. Sometimes, I am just confused as heck by what Pat is aiming for.

But, like, maybe the guy's a psychological genius who understands the humans who play for him. I can't rule that out. And his success genuinely has me rethinking certain criticisms I have had for the last couple years. I mean, I don't know why Ashby pitches so much, but maybe the simple answer is that Murph just knows he can handle it.

[RobertCrawley]

1 minute ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Re: Murph the in-game manager:

The guy makes some calls that look super-duper to anyone used to thinking about platoon advantages and reliever rest. Like, I genuinely believe the guy manages with his gut. That's going to take a lot of flak in the stats era, and, full disclosure, it's not my preferred style. Sometimes, I am just confused as heck by what Pat is aiming for.

But, like, maybe the guy's a psychological genius who understands the humans who play for him. I can't rule that out. And his success genuinely has me rethinking certain criticisms I have had for the last couple years. I mean, I don't know why Ashby pitches so much, but maybe the simple answer is that Murph just knows he can handle it.

He's a stats guy, but I'm sure he goes on his gut too.

[BarremlensTSSC]

It sure would be helpful for Megill to magically reappear as an effective reliver so we don't have to watch Mears in high leverage innings this often.

[RobertCrawley]

Just now, BarremlensTSSC said:

It sure would be helpful for Megill to magically reappear as an effective reliver so we don't have to watch Mears in high leverage innings this often.

Playoff baseball is stressful enough as it is!

[TURBO]

24 minutes ago, RobertCrawley said:

If he’s not a good in game manager, I prefer him to the good in-game managers who are going to sit home in a few days and watch baseball on TV

Do you guys actually agree with every move Murphy makes?  He's obviously doing something right, but he can also improve at game management.  The way you guys defend him, you'd think he was perfect.

Plus, it's our job as fans to criticize him when he does do the head scratching things, it's part of what fandom is all about...

[Sixtolezcano]

1 hour ago, sveumrules said:

The Brewers 188 wins since Murphy took over are the most in baseball.

The Brewers +17.40 Win Probability Added from their relievers is 2nd most in MLB since Murphy took over.

How many wins do you think he has cost them with his lack of feel for running a game?

Which managers do you believe have a good feel for running a game and how many extra wins do you think they've gotten for their respective teams over the last two years?

No one exactly knows.Unless you know of a stat the measures this?

[RobertCrawley]

6 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Do you guys actually agree with every move Murphy makes?  He's obviously doing something right, but he can also improve at game management.  The way you guys defend him, you'd think he was perfect.

Plus, it's our job as fans to criticize him when he does do the head scratching things, it's part of what fandom is all about...

It's all backwards judgment. We can't know if any decision would have been better or worse.  Reality doesn't work that way. But a manager's critics (any baseball manager) are always 100 percent correct in the fantasy baseball game of their minds. 

What you can look at are results. Those are factual.

[BarremlensTSSC]

Go Marlins!  Up 1-0!

[Joseph Zarr]

I am beginning to think the Brewers may be cornering the market inefficiency of pitchers with two first names. The in-season improvements of one Chad Patty has me all sorts of tickled. The development of his slurve as well as his ability to excel in bullpen roles is really something. What a season.

[BarremlensTSSC]

Also, on a personal note (not that anyone should care), I left Brewcrewball about 6 weeks ago and started hanging out here in gamethreads because BCB had, as it periodically does, devolved into a circumstance where the opinions or one poster were taken as gospel and if he corrected/disagreed with you the pile on began.  (He is a master of the "well, actually" comment/reply.  He was often right, but always insufferable.)  The vibe here is different; quieter, but otherwise for the better, at least for me.  Really enjoying it here.  Thanks everyone.

[BarremlensTSSC]

4 minutes ago, BarremlensTSSC said:

Go Marlins!  Up 1-0!

****. Jinxed it.

[RobertCrawley]

3 minutes ago, BarremlensTSSC said:

Also, on a personal note (not that anyone should care), I left Brewcrewball about 6 weeks ago and started hanging out here in gamethreads because BCB had, as it periodically does, devolved into a circumstance where the opinions or one poster were taken as gospel and if he corrected/disagreed with you the pile on began.  (He is a master of the "well, actually" comment/reply.  He was often right, but always insufferable.)  The vibe here is different; quieter, but otherwise for the better, at least for me.  Really enjoying it here.  Thanks everyone.

[BarremlensTSSC]

4 hours ago, folly412 said:

Collins is slumping, but they need to get him going again.  Unless he's dealing with an injury, he's sitting too much.

I agree, although I think part of what's going on is just a desire to get Perkins on the field while not losing at bats from Frelick and Chourio.

[Underachiever]

I dont agree with every decision Murphy makes, but the guy gets waaay more criticism than praise on here. Defending him doesn’t mean I think he’s perfect, but if a pitcher blows up, it’s often Murphy who gets criticism (used a guy too much, left him in a batter too long, etc). But when they shut down an opponent with Mears, Uribe, Megill, no one will credit Murphy. .588 winning percentage. 

[adambr2]

Well, doesn’t look like we’re going to lock up the 1 tonight. Phillies breaking it open.

[Brian]

5 hours ago, Outlander said:

Never been a Bauers fan but he has been their best hitter in September when everybody else seems to be slumping. Should be able to find more at bats for Hoskins to get him going but will give credit to Bauers for earning the playing time.

Just noticed Hoskins and Bauers have the exact same batting avg for the year but Bauers is the hottest hitter on the team as of late.  .412 last 15 games with 6 walks also. 

[MaryvaleBrewer]

1 hour ago, BarremlensTSSC said:

It sure would be helpful for Megill to magically reappear as an effective reliver so we don't have to watch Mears in high leverage innings this often.

If that doesn’t happen, Misiorowski quickly turning into a reliable RP would also suffice.

[RobertCrawley]

57 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Well, doesn’t look like we’re going to lock up the 1 tonight. Phillies breaking it open.

Hopefully we get it done early against the Reds, but they are fighting for their wildcard lives. They'll throw everything they've got.

[RobertCrawley]

46 minutes ago, Brian said:

Just noticed Hoskins and Bauers have the exact same batting avg for the year but Bauers is the hottest hitter on the team as of late.  .412 last 15 games with 6 walks also. 

I was really hoping for Rhys. He's a guy who's been there.

[BarremlensTSSC]

53 minutes ago, Underachiever said:

I dont agree with every decision Murphy makes, but the guy gets waaay more criticism than praise on here. Defending him doesn’t mean I think he’s perfect, but if a pitcher blows up, it’s often Murphy who gets criticism (used a guy too much, left him in a batter too long, etc). But when they shut down an opponent with Mears, Uribe, Megill, no one will credit Murphy. .588 winning percentage. 

I don't like Mears in a high leverage inning, but I'm more or less ok with Murphy for using him that way right now because there aren't really a lot of alternatives.  My primary issue with Murphy was/is when he insists on using players because of the role he imagines them playing instead of what they're actually doing.  Hoskins is one of the players where he's fallen into that trap periodically over the last two seasons.  I fully expected him to force Hoskins into the lineup at the expense of Bauers and Vaughn, particulary once it became clear that Vaughn's power had vanished/regressed, but he really hasn't done that.  

He's not perfect.  I actually think that he's done a better job this year than last year when he won MOTY.  Right now I think he's leaving Collins on the bench too much and that he's probably starting Perkins too much.  But the OF is a sneaky tough lineup decision every day because Frelick's knee likely won't let him play CF, Chourio's defense in CF is great at times and pretty shaky at others, so his options are to use Perkins for his defense and give up some offensive production by benching Collins/Frelick/Chourio (because the DH spot is occupied) or risk defensive miscues at a time his pitching staff is wobbling under the weight of the season and injuries.  I'd use Perkins primarily as a late inning defensive replacement (like today) and get Frelick/Collins/Chourio as many ABs as possible, but I don't think the opposite choice is awful.  Defintely don't think it's out of line to question his decisions.  I just think it's pretty obvious that he's a value added manager the last two regular seasons which is relatively rare

[Brian]

5 minutes ago, RobertCrawley said:

I was really hoping for Rhys. He's a guy who's been there.

He will be there, he can lead from the bench. Experienced players may help their younger teammates stay focused by sharing coping strategies and modeling composure in high-stakes situations. 

[BarremlensTSSC]

4 minutes ago, Brian said:

He will be there, he can lead from the bench. Experienced players may help their younger teammates stay focused by sharing coping strategies and modeling composure in high-stakes situations. 

Said it the other day, but I really think Murph is going to fight for him to be on the playoff roster.  Not saying I agree with it, but I think he's going to do it.

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Underachiever said:

I dont agree with every decision Murphy makes, but the guy gets waaay more criticism than praise on here. Defending him doesn’t mean I think he’s perfect, but if a pitcher blows up, it’s often Murphy who gets criticism (used a guy too much, left him in a batter too long, etc). But when they shut down an opponent with Mears, Uribe, Megill, no one will credit Murphy. .588 winning percentage. 

You never heard it from me, I was never a big Counsell fan.  In fact Murf was Craig's manager at Noter Dame when craig was a kid. 

[BarremlensTSSC]

14 minutes ago, Brian said:

You never heard it from me, I was never a big Counsell fan.  In fact Murf was Craig's manager at Noter Dame when craig was a kid. 

I was ok with Counsell for the most part.  There were a few decisions over the years I had significant problems with.  Winker being on the 2023 playoff roster and then being used the way he was used in those playoff games was, in my opinion, the dumbest decision by a Brewers manager since Roenicke started Kotsay in CF.  But for the most part I thought having him as a manager was an advantage for the Brewers during his time here, and that's better than the more typical alternatives of being neutral or worse, which is what most managers offer.

[RobertCrawley]

30 minutes ago, BarremlensTSSC said:

I was ok with Counsell for the most part.  There were a few decisions over the years I had significant problems with.  Winker being on the 2023 playoff roster and then being used the way he was used in those playoff games was, in my opinion, the dumbest decision by a Brewers manager since Roenicke started Kotsay in CF.  But for the most part I thought having him as a manager was an advantage for the Brewers during his time here, and that's better than the more typical alternatives of being neutral or worse, which is what most managers offer.

I didn't like his decision to go to the Cubs.