Counsell's Confusing Late-Game Decisions Sink the Brewers

Craigtember last really occurred in 2019.

since then they haven’t really starred in September.

‘And without the real talent, it’s hard to manage to wins. Somehow CC has done well with less than stellar talent.

Hopeful the prospects that come up can change that. Now who will manage next season if CC bolts.

Craig Councel overuses some relievers like Pegero and Chafen and pampers Devin Williams who hasn't pitched in 4 days against the Philly's.  Councel pitched Chafen like crazy until his ERA doubled right before this series.  It is almost like he wants to ruin pitchers careers or he is just VERY terrible at making reliver choices.  Just Terrible.

11 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Craigtember last really occurred in 2019.

since then they haven’t really starred in September.

‘And without the real talent, it’s hard to manage to wins. Somehow CC has done well with less than stellar talent.

Hopeful the prospects that come up can change that. Now who will manage next season if CC bolts.

Agreed, Counsell doesn’t have a hitter on his roster who other team’s fear, and he’s been saddled with mostly struggling rookies and mediocre or worse hitters, yet he’s had his squad in first place most of the year. 
 

Don’t lose the forest amongst the trees, Counsell has done an A+ job this year. 

This doesn't get talked about much, but we traded two relievers who would really look good in our bullpen right now for Rowdy Tellez who has somehow made a long career out of being very mediocre. 

But yeah, poor move by Craig going with him in the 9th, and on Uribe, it just doesn't feel like Craig trusts him. 

11 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Agreed, Counsell doesn’t have a hitter on his roster who other team’s fear, and he’s been saddled with mostly struggling rookies and mediocre or worse hitters, yet he’s had his squad in first place most of the year. 
 

Don’t lose the forest amongst the trees, Counsell has done an A+ job this year. 

Not criticizing CC as much as stating that the September magic was really 2017 when there was no expectations and the young team did well, 2018 with a great team roster that got hot at the right time, and 2019 when Yelich willed the team and the rest of them went on a roll after he got hurt.

That was also with more expanded rosters when mixing and matching was easier to do.

Counsell has done well, but I don’t think there is a September run, and it has been several years since there was one. Sadly this roster is all pitching and many pitchers haven’t met or exceeded expectations save a hot month or two (outside of Devin, and Wiley has been as expected or better since he has logged more IP than expected).

9 hours ago, Team Canada said:

Welcome to Brewer Fanatic!

Yogi Berra on his hitting approach: "I can't think and hit at the same time."

55 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

This doesn't get talked about much, but we traded two relievers who would really look good in our bullpen right now for Rowdy Tellez who has somehow made a long career out of being very mediocre. 

But yeah, poor move by Craig going with him in the 9th, and on Uribe, it just doesn't feel like Craig trusts him. 

Have to assume that absolute meltdown from Uribe a few days ago will not be easily forgotten.     

This is a perfect example of hindsight, the guy he picked didn't work out (he also didn't full on meltdown either).  If Uribe had been brought in with same results (or even worse after see the possible volatility he has) then the same folks can say "why wouldn't he use the guy who's been good all year instead of the rookie who just had a complete breakdown a few days ago".

I said in the gamethread I probably would've valued avoiding the DP and that its still R/L and let Turang hit. But as noted by an article on here just a day or two back Tellez has been doing well, he just had a big PH rocket not long ago and when it comes down to it they probably just feel is a better hitter than Turang.  Going with the guy you feel is the better with the game on the line is not braindead, these are things that could go either way. It just didn't work today and in baseball hitters fail at least 60% of the time. 

ETA:  But, every good outing by Uribe puts that further in the background to hopefully provide trust and more flexibility as I'm not a fan of the rigid 7, 8, 9 inning guy thing either.  IMO that's a nitpick of mine on craig the last few years, he was one of the most creative on that stuff a few years back and has moved to the more traditional model.  However, we also don't know how much of that was pushed on him by Hader and his agent but I'd like to see the flex come back.  But its also not as easy without the expanded rosters and without freaks like Woody, Burnes, Hader in his pen.     Oh, also small point out that Chafin has strung together a few good ones in a row (unless I missed a bad one) so that could be another option for flex after a few more to gain trust.

Turang's huge hot month of August was a wRC+ of 81. Tellez overall terrible season has a wRC+ of 81 but he has been hitting better lately and is just a better hitter.  

Turang is the king of the dribbler and swinging bunt with a man on third. However, can see trying to win the game with Tellez instead of going for the tie. Not going to be too hard on Counsell for a bad result there.

1 hour ago, Tim Muma said:

 

I understand in a vacuum why you'd have Tellez pinch hit for Turang, or in many other scenarios: 1) If there were 2 outs, 2) If you need an extra-base hit, 3) If you are trailing by more than 1 run, 4) If there was no double play on the table.  But in THIS specific situation, the tying run can score from 3rd in many ways and worst case is a double play, which is increased by Tellez batting over Turang. 

As for Peguero over Uribe in the 7th in a tie game. Uribe was at 20.1 IP before yesterday and now has a 1.69 ERA and .507 opponents' OPS. In Peguero's previous 20 IP (BEFORE yesterday), he had a 4.05 ERA and .740 opponents' OPS. So taking their most recent 20-ish outings, Uribe has outperformed him. And as noted in the article, Peguero has been bad all year when pitching back-to-back days.

I get what you're saying about the blowup game from Uribe that might have worried Counsell...but I would say, again, that is different than how he normally operates. But perhaps it is just a concern of his about Uribe.

Yup.  Going any of these routes has logic and reason to it.  This is baseball, almost nothing is completely black/white.  Some day what you decide to value or you have to guess with your gut because there is no clear cut 100% choice and you get it wrong. It's baseball, you can't get them all right.   Yesterday, he likely got a couple wrong.  And I'm sure he, assistants, the team are wringing their hands about it even more than we are.   They're not stupid, they know all this stuff too and as evidence by their overall results they're pretty good at it. 

Yea in general I'd probably get over the Uribe meltdown and try to use him in these spots too. The more reps he get you find out plus get him comfortable for playoffs where he could be a huge weapon.  But, probably be ready to yank quick if the command looks anything like that other game in the first batter or two.   But its certainly not braindead after seeing that to be a bit hesitant when there's no wiggle room like yesterday 

Such a timely, accurate, unbiased post. Refreshing to read :)

7 hours ago, Tim Muma said:

 

I understand in a vacuum why you'd have Tellez pinch hit for Turang, or in many other scenarios: 1) If there were 2 outs, 2) If you need an extra-base hit, 3) If you are trailing by more than 1 run, 4) If there was no double play on the table.  But in THIS specific situation, the tying run can score from 3rd in many ways and worst case is a double play, which is increased by Tellez batting over Turang. 

As for Peguero over Uribe in the 7th in a tie game. Uribe was at 20.1 IP before yesterday and now has a 1.69 ERA and .507 opponents' OPS. In Peguero's previous 20 IP (BEFORE yesterday), he had a 4.05 ERA and .740 opponents' OPS. So taking their most recent 20-ish outings, Uribe has outperformed him. And as noted in the article, Peguero has been bad all year when pitching back-to-back days.

I get what you're saying about the blowup game from Uribe that might have worried Counsell...but I would say, again, that is different than how he normally operates. But perhaps it is just a concern of his about Uribe.

Couldn’t have said it better.