7/20/2004: Brewers (Davis) @ Reds (Claussen)

[brettac1]

Dealin' Doug tries to keep the Crew at .500 for the road trip in this morning game, 11:35 CST, against ex-Yankees letfy Brandon Claussen (8-6, 4.66 ERA in 18 starts at AAA Louisville), making his Reds debut. GO CREW!!!

 

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[brettac1]

As a note, the Reds are batting .229 as a team vs. lefties, with an OPS of .693. Wily Mo Pena (of course), is hitting .358 (19-53) with an OPS of 1.072 against southpaws. The Brewers, on the other hand, are hitting .243 with an OPS of .717. Wes Helms is the number one hitter vs. lefties, hitting an impressive .345, albeit with only 29 AB's and 10 hits, with an .855 OPS. My guess would be a low scoring affair, with the Crew coming out on top, but who the hell can stop Wily Mo Pena??? Possibly Doug Davis, who has held him 0-5 with 2 K's.

[endaround]

The Brewers are so lefty hitting dependent that any decent lefty will shut them down. Its why the Cubs can be a challenge when they go to Mercker (not however Remlinger who is pretty much done).

[brettac1]

If you look at the numbers, though, their only left-handed hitter who really sucks against lefties is Jenkins (.198 ) , while Overbay is hitting .309 and Podsednik is hitting better (.257, .789) against lefties than righties (.253, .712). Counsell is hitting only .200 (.579), but will most likely have the day off - Hall also hits only .200 (.526). The biggest problem is the "right-handed hitter that hits lefties well", Brady Clark, is hitting only .245 (OPS .610), and the C's are both hitting .150 and under with sub-.500 OPS'. So, most likely, what little run production they get today will come from Overbay, Helms (.345), and Ginter (.294). Hopefully they can get those runs early an get to a right-handed reliever.

[endaround]

A left handed pitcher takes Grieve out of the lineup and makes Jenkins flail helplessly. Podsednik has historically done slightly worse against lefties, but not by a great deal. Counsell is pretty much unaffected. Overbay has done slightly worse against leftis, but seeing he is the only offense the Brewers have, any reduction isn't good.

[brettac1]

Grieve has struggled mightily at the plate lately, 3 for his last 21, while Clark has been heating up, 8 for his last 22. Clark's average is at .267 (.733), while Grieve stands at .271 (.780). So, I have no problem with Ned playing the hot hand. Grieve is my favorite Brewer, but he's been slumping lately.

[SlideBernieSlide]

For anyone interested in some info on today's Reds starter. Here is what the Official Reds Game Notes has to say about the Claussen kid.

 

While With Louisville: When his promotion was announced he

led the International League in strikeouts (111), was tied for the IL lead in walks allowed (47) and ranked T4th in victories (8)...led the Bats? pitching staff in wins, walks and strikeouts...in his last 7 starts for the Bats went 5-2, 2.68...in his last 3 starts went 2-1, 1.45...produced season highs of 7.0ip (6/14 vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) and 12 strikeouts (7/7 vs Ottawa)...in the 10-5 victory on 6/14 vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre didn?t allow a hit...left that start after 7.0 innings because of pitch count restrictions.

 

Grapefruit League Action: During spring training for the Reds went 0-2, 5.79 in 3 starts and 2 relief apps (14ip, 20h, 5bb, 14k)...in his 3 exhibition starts went 0-2, 5.40 (10ip, 15h, 3bb, 10k)...was optioned to Louisville on 3/28.

 

Last Pitched: For Louisville on Thu vs Syracuse, started and suffered the 3-1 loss (6ip, 6h, 3er, 1bb, 8k).

 

Last Pitched In The Major Leagues: Made his only other Major League appearance on 6/28 of last season, for the Yankees started and earned the 9-8 victory against the Mets at Shea Stadium (6.1ip, 8h, 2r, 1er, 1bb, 4k, 1hr)...was the nightcap of an unusual day/night, Yankee Stadium/Shea Stadium doubleheader....took a shutout into the sixth inning before the Mets produced an unearned run...in the seventh

allowed a solo HR to Roger Cedeno, his final batter...at the plate went 1-for-4 with an RBI-single off Dan Wheeler.

[SlideBernieSlide]

Wow. Ned is going with a real right focused line-up. Jenkins gets a day off, moving Clark into the #3 hole

 

Milwaukee

S. Podsednik cf .254

C. Magruder lf .333

B. Clark rf .267

L. Overbay 1b .345

W. Helms 3b .265

B. Hall ss .249

K. Ginter 2b .253

C. Moeller c .228

D. Davis p .000

 

Cincinnati

R. Freel 3b .279

J. Castro ss .272

S. Casey 1b .338

A. Dunn lf .263

D. Jimenez 2b .271

W. Pena rf .299

J. LaRue c .236

J. Romano cf .111

B. Claussen p .000

[brettac1]

Jenks gets the day off today with Magruder getting the start - he's 1.000 vs. lefties this year, way to play the numbers Ned.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/happy.gif

[ja002h]

Jenks coulda used about 10 days off before now...

 

Good work Ned.

[rluzinski]

I think Yost is crazy to put Clark in the 3 hole, but it's very nice to see him get more and more flexible. Now if he can get over his man crush of Clark he'll be set!

[JohnBriggs12]

Hitting Clark third isn't all that bad. Prior to last night's game, he had reached base in 17 straight games that he started dating back to early June.

 

The alternatives are really not much better unless you move Overbay up.

[RoseBowlMtg]

I like a guy taking a lot of pitches up front as in Clark. Plus Helms, Hall and Ginter are King too much. But then again I feel a big day for Ginter and Helms!

 

Go Crew!

[rluzinski]

Clark get's that walk....

 

2 foul out's and a weak fly ball in the first.

[brettac1]

I didn't like Magruder putting the first pitch in play too much though! It's a rookie, you'd figure they'd take a few.

 

EDIT: Nice play, Scotty. Nice inning Doug.

[jmon482]

I swear if Claussen shuts down the Crew today i'm gonna shoot something. I know he is a pretty good prospect and all but his ERA was over 4.50 in AAA, if the brewers can't score some runs, lets try and get those people on those AAA teams that actually can.

[ja002h]

DD

1-2-3.

 

Keep it up.

[ja002h]

nice wheels Wes.

[Vgmastr]

Billy!!!!

 

2-0 Crew! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/happy.gif

[brettac1]

Billy owns you Claussen!

[ja002h]

BIILL HALLLLLL!!!!!!!

 

Did I pick him? Oh yes i did. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

 

Wooo!

[ja002h]

Game. Over. Callin' it right now.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[packfan79]

Its nice to get an early lead for once.

[ja002h]

DD

1-2-3

4-5-6 (E6 + GIDP)

[whizkid]

Anyone listening? What does this mean?:

 

Pena grounded into double play second to first to first, Jimenez out at second.