Brewers vs Pirates Doubleheader, 7/11/26: Game 1 (Sproat vs Ashcraft, 11:05am) | Game 2 (Drohan vs Chandler, 3:05pm)

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Touched up Ashcraft for 5ER in 5IP on the road with little production from the top of the order, overcome a short start by Sproat, yet walk away with a loss after blowing a 6-3 lead. Poor result in Game 1. Hope to get a more complete performance and a win in Game 2.

[adambr2]

Just now, ReverendBrewmeister said:

Touched up Ashcraft for 5ER in 5IP on the road with little production from the top of the order, overcome a short start by Sproat, yet walk away with a loss after blowing a 6-3 lead. Poor result in Game 1. Hope to get a more complete performance and a win in Game 2.

It’s unsurprising to get very little production from the top of the order when you bat one of your worst hitters on top of the order. 

[willie key]

Maybe not go down 2-0 early again this time?

[Day]

That’s a tough loss to take. Fingers crossed for better later on 

[edfunderburk]

3 minutes ago, RobertCrawley said:

It's interesting that when things go to cripes people put so much blame on the manager and not the players who are supposed to do their jobs. Also, it's the easiest thing to do because the person doing the criticizing is always (often self-righteously) right after the fact.

Another Pollyanna post by Mr. Positivity.

You too often reprimand or speak down to fans who get frustrated by a stubborn manager who keeps repeating the same mistakes. 

Fans should be upset when common sense decisions by the manager backfire. Yes, players need to perform well, but the manager should put players in position to succeed. Stats don’t lie … Ashby is in a terrible funk - so is Yelich. 

Let’s all just act happy no matter how badly a young pitcher performs or an old manager stubbornly & consistently repeats his mistakes. 

[adambr2]

Sproat and Ashby really pulled defeat from the jaws of victory in this one. 

Most everyone in between did their job, some did not. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

12 minutes ago, TwinsBrewersWorldSeries said:

Just wait, he’ll use his grandkids as a shield again to avoid taking any accountability after the game

I've never understood why people bring that up. There is zero reason to need anyone or anything to shield him from the group asking the questions during these pressers. And I'm not even clamoring for 'tougher' questions, I don't really care one way or the other. It's just strange to think he's bringing them out there as a buffer like this is NY or Philly.

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

Murph is elite at motivating and creating a strong culture. No arguing that. But I think that aspect clouds his judgment too much. The leash is always too long when relievers are struggling. Ashby has been bad for a month now but he stands by his guys. Batting Yeli's corpse leadoff is indefensible. But he loves Yeli. 

He'll ignore numbers for gut feel in those instances, but then pinch hit Bauers in the ninth because of the numbers. It's so frustrating. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

20 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I appreciate the effort from the "captain" conceding the final out of the game instead of trying to get in a run down

He was probably shocked that Gonzalez made such an incredibly dumb decision throwing home. But sure, once you realize that, then try to force them to make another throw or two.

[edfunderburk]

28 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

I mean there is a perfectly reasonable argument that the Brewers are one of the best run “systems” in baseball, Pat Murphy happens to be the man running the current system, and if it were Rickie Weeks running it next year instead they would still win 95 games. 

Point understood. Please NO to Weeks being our future manager 🤮

[edfunderburk]

6 minutes ago, Marc Newfield of Dreams said:

Murph is elite at motivating and creating a strong culture. No arguing that. But I think that aspect clouds his judgment too much. The leash is always too long when relievers are struggling. Ashby has been bad for a month now but he stands by his guys. Batting Yeli's corpse leadoff is indefensible. But he loves Yeli. 

He'll ignore numbers for gut feel in those instances, but then pinch hit Bauers in the ninth because of the numbers. It's so frustrating. 

Excellent points … 

[wiguy94]

6 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

He was probably shocked that Gonzalez made such an incredibly dumb decision throwing home. But sure, once you realize that, then try to force them to make another throw or two.

I just wish Murphy would stop being stubborn and admit Yelich isn't who he used to be. He's clearly deteriorating athletically. That bunt that he was thrown out on today would have been an easy single for him as recently as a year ago. 

[RobertCrawley]

14 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

Another Pollyanna post by Mr. Positivity.

You too often reprimand or speak down to fans who get frustrated by a stubborn manager who keeps repeating the same mistakes. 

Fans should be upset when common sense decisions by the manager backfire. Yes, players need to perform well, but the manager should put players in position to succeed. Stats don’t lie … Ashby is in a terrible funk - so is Yelich. 

Let’s all just act happy no matter how badly a young pitcher performs or an old manager stubbornly & consistently repeats his mistakes. 

I’m just saying: critics are right 100 percent of the time, something that should give them pause (but it doesn’t).   If Vaughn does something with his AB, we are having a far different conversation. 

[edfunderburk]

33 minutes ago, TwinsBrewersWorldSeries said:

Promote him the “manager of clubhouse operations” then and let Weeks be the manager

I may be alone, but I was genuinely thrilled when Weeks didn’t return as Associate Manager in 2026. I hope one of the other coaches replaces Murphy when that time comes. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

6 minutes ago, Marc Newfield of Dreams said:

Murph is elite at motivating and creating a strong culture. No arguing that. But I think that aspect clouds his judgment too much. The leash is always too long when relievers are struggling. Ashby has been bad for a month now but he stands by his guys. Batting Yeli's corpse leadoff is indefensible. But he loves Yeli. 

He'll ignore numbers for gut feel in those instances, but then pinch hit Bauers in the ninth because of the numbers. It's so frustrating. 

I think bad might be laying it on a little thick; I agree he hasn't been as good in the last month. But his first three today were Mangum, Lowe & Reynolds. Mangum is OK but not as good vs LHP, Lowe is much worse, & Reynolds is someone opposing teams always try to flip to the RH side late in games. Ashby IMO was the clear call there. If anything, this could be an indictment against what you (don't) have behind him from the left side. Zerpa, Hall, & Fitzpatrick are all out, Drohan is now in the rotation & Koenig has been so-so since returning. I would imagine Zastryzny (who was also out) will be called on before too much longer.

[edfunderburk]

3 minutes ago, RobertCrawley said:

I’m just saying: critics are right 100 percent of the time, something that should give them pause (but it doesn’t).   If Vaughn does something with his AB, we are having a far different conversation. 

Whatever. You may not be aware that you can’t make room for any posts that aren’t completely positive. I have a few friends that are incredibly positive … a great trait no doubt. But those friends often can’t see what is obvious to others because it isn’t the “sunny side” perspective. 

[edfunderburk]

23 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I've never understood why people bring that up. There is zero reason to need anyone or anything to shield him from the group asking the questions during these pressers. And I'm not even clamoring for 'tougher' questions, I don't really care one way or the other. It's just strange to think he's bringing them out there as a buffer like this is NY or Philly.

Delete

[wiguy94]

1 minute ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I think bad might be laying it on a little thick; I agree he hasn't been as good in the last month. But his first three today were Mangum, Lowe & Reynolds. Mangum is OK but not as good vs LHP, Lowe is much worse, & Reynolds is someone opposing teams always try to flip to the RH side late in games. Ashby IMO was the clear call there. If anything, this could be an indictment against what you (don't) have behind him from the left side. Zerpa, Hall, & Fitzpatrick are all out, Drohan is now in the rotation & Koenig has been so-so since returning. I would imagine Zastryzny (who was also out) will be called on before too much longer.

The thing I don't like about that inning is just give Ashby the start of the inning or give Patrick the inning. I don't like the bring the reliever back out for one hitter and then bring in the new one. Ashby came in with a runner on base instead of a fresh inning. I would have preferred to see Patrick face Mangum though. Mangum is a very heavy ground ball hitter and has the highest oppo ground ball rate in the league. Him hitting a ground ball through the big hole on the right side was very predictable. If you keep Patrick in then you're much more likely to turn an oppo ground ball into an out or even a double play

[Jim French Stepstool]

14 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I just wish Murphy would stop being stubborn and admit Yelich isn't who he used to be. He's clearly deteriorating athletically. That bunt that he was thrown out on today would have been an easy single for him as recently as a year ago. 

I don't disagree with the Yelich assessment. Yep, I was shocked he didn't beat that bunt out. 

I feel the day may come when Yelich doesn't see regular ABs unless things change dramatically. Mitchells' emergence & Lara showing every indication that he belongs should be the catalysts. Right now yeah, he's defending him & he's in 'we have to get him going' mode. I don't know when that plug gets pulled. All I know is stuff like that is almost always weeks after fans start clamoring for it, which makes sense. But I definitely think the clock is ticking.

[RobertCrawley]

6 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

Whatever. You may not be aware that you can’t make room for any posts that aren’t completely positive. I have a few friends that are incredibly positive … a great trait no doubt. But those friends often can’t see what is obvious to others because it isn’t the “sunny side” perspective. 

I’m making my case. I’m willing to listen and change my mind, even if posters are too angry and resort to childish name calling. 

[edfunderburk]

5 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I don't disagree with the Yelich assessment. Yep, I was shocked he didn't beat that bunt out. 

I feel the day may come when Yelich doesn't see regular ABs unless things change dramatically. Mitchells' emergence & Lara showing every indication that he belongs should be the catalysts. Right now yeah, he's defending him & he's in 'we have to get him going' mode. I don't know when that plug gets pulled. All I know is stuff like that is almost always weeks after fans start clamoring for it, which makes sense. But I definitely think the clock is ticking.

I certainly hope the clock is (has been) ticking. The sooner the better for me. There are better options available for the DH role. If Yelich had another injury (certainly not something I want to see), I believe we would fare much better with those who replace his at bats. 

An offseason release for Yelich would benefit both parties. Eat the remaining salary much like the Bucks did with Dame Lillard. Give his DH role to younger, healthier, better players. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

5 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

The thing I don't like about that inning is just give Ashby the start of the inning or give Patrick the inning. I don't like the bring the reliever back out for one hitter and then bring in the new one. Ashby came in with a runner on base instead of a fresh inning. I would have preferred to see Patrick face Mangum though. Mangum is a very heavy ground ball hitter and has the highest oppo ground ball rate in the league. Him hitting a ground ball through the big hole on the right side was very predictable. If you keep Patrick in then you're much more likely to turn an oppo ground ball into an out or even a double play

Makes sense. Personally though I've never been as big of a 'let him start the inning' guy as some are. I was perfectly fine with Patrick getting Davis to open it up. Obviously the .153 hitter decided to be vintage Jason Kendall today.

[edfunderburk]

5 minutes ago, RobertCrawley said:

I’m making my case. I’m willing to listen and change my mind, even if posters are too angry and resort to childish name calling. 

I’m a single poster … are you referring to Mr. Positivity as a childish name? Have others called you names?

[BruisedCrew]

I wonder if this game will actually be starting at 3:05.

They are calling it a split doubleheader and the Pirates said that tickets for the Friday game would be honored at the 1105 game.
It seems ambitious to clear out the stadium and admit a new crowd in not much more than an hour.

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

I certainly hope the clock is (has been) ticking. The sooner the better for me. There are better options available for the DH role. If Yelich had another injury (certainly not something I want to see), I believe we would fare much better with those who replace his at bats. 

An offseason release for Yelich would benefit both parties. Eat the remaining salary much like the Bucks did with Dame Lillard. Give his DH role to younger, healthier, better players. 

Interesting question re an off-season release, assuming he doesn't improve. They aren't in a great position to eat a contract, even one in its' last year but you never know. I'm actually a little surprised a mid-season break via the phantom IL hasn't happened. Might still be in the cards. The funny thing is, Tyler Black has really modest numbers at AAA but IMO has looked better than those numbers might suggest, and their hesitancy re Black's defense---which I totally get---would fit like a glove in the Yelich role since he hasn't seen the field in what seems like forever..