TooLiveBrew

Reds in position for 4-game sweep of Brewers By JR Radcliffe / Special to MLB.com | 4/22/2015 11:00 PM ET Two starting pitchers will look to get on track in Thursday's matinee series finale between the Brewers and Reds, who won the first three games of the series, at Miller Park. Reds right-hander Homer Bailey will try to bounce back from his first start, when he allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings to St. Louis after opening the season on the disabled list while recovering from right-forearm surgery. Milwaukee's Kyle Lohse has been in a more concerning funk, having allowed 18 runs in 15 2/3 innings, good for a 10.34 ERA. Things to know • Lohse, who took the loss in a 6-2 setback against Pittsburgh on Saturday, didn't allow his 18th earned run of the season in 2014 until his ninth start. He finished the 2014 season 13-9 with a 3.54 ERA. • Brewers outfielders have hit Bailey well in the past. Ryan Braun has six extra-base hits among his 11 in 31 at-bats, part of a 1.089 OPS. Khris Davis has a 1.476 OPS over 18 at-bats. • The outing marks the beginning of Milwaukee's fourth turn through the starting rotation. Heading into Wednesday, the team's 5.31 ERA was last in the National League, with Miami (5.28) the only team within a full run of that mark. • The Brewers are only the 14th National League team to lose 13 times in the span of its first 15 games, and the first since the 1998 D-backs.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/reds.png[/logo][game-info][h1]April 23 | 12:40 P.M.[/h1][h2]Reds (8-7) | Brewers (2-13)[/h2][h3]WTMJ 620, WRRD 1510[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://i.imgur.com/95nmJcJ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UhCSQQR.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]Homer Bailey[/pitcher][h2]0-1, 7.94 ERA, 2.12 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Bailey acknowledged the "need to sharpen up some things" following a 5-2 loss in St. Louis, where he allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings. He was done in by a two-out, two-run double by Matt Carpenter in the sixth.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Kyle Lohse[/pitcher][h2]0-3, 10.34 ERA, 1.72 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Reds | Game Log[/h3][h3]Lohse's early struggles continued against the Pirates on Saturday, when he allowed six runs on six hits and three walks. Command has been the issue so far for Lohse, who believes he's close to turning his season around.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] CF Billy Hamilton SS Zack Cozart 1B Joey Votto 2B Brandon Phillips RF Jay Bruce LF Marlon Byrd 3B Kris Negron C Tucker Barnhart RHP Homer Bailey[/divclass][divclass=home] SS Jean Segura 2B Elián Herrera RF Ryan Braun 1B Adam Lind LF Khris Davis 3B Aramis Ramírez CF Logan Schafer C Martín Maldonado RHP Kyle Lohse[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

That's not the point Patrick. Lots of teams have injuries but they don't play .133 ball. You don't replace Roenicke with Narron who's attached to his hip and should be fired as well. You replace him on an interim basis with Sedar who predates Roenicke in the organization. You tell Melvin he's done after the trading deadline and if he wishes to stay on to shepherd the franchise, fine. If not let Ash handle those chores with the understanding he's done too later on. If you want him gone at the end of the season, you 100% do not want him to be the one to oversee any selling at & before the trade deadline.

His stance was to move on after the 2012 season, not before.

Two bombs from Harrison on a night as cold as tonight is particularly impressive. I have to admit that I've been waiting for the weather to warm up to head out to see the T-Rats in person... needless to say, I can't wait for a warm patch to come along! I hope it's here in time for Medeiros's next home start. Denson, Medeiros, Harrison, Gatewood, DeMuth, Neuhaus, Diaz... there's a lot of talent on this roster (for now)

Then how about it at least stays out of a thread where it isn't the point? I think that was more to Ennder's comment. Complaining about the Marcum trade or how we didn't trade Ramirez 2 years ago isn't productive to the discussion about how to fix where we are now. It is the point, because the same decision makers are still in place.

What I don't understand is why he doesn't come charging out of the dugout to make a scene about it. He's obviously really really pissed & frustrated... why not try to inspire some fight with a good ol' fashioned Bobby-Cox-style-blow-up?

Interesting watch... but when Rock points out the lack of color on the Stillman College team (saying there's only one black player), in the team photos there are clearly two light-skinned black guys in the bottom row. Not saying it disproves his larger point, but still.

I can't stand anything about K-Rod

Another thing that is routinely glossed over in this discussion is that the options were not simply 'Make the Sabathia/Greinke/Marcum trades' or 'Don't make any trades' -- there are a lot of other ways the most valuable prospects at the time (namely LaPorta, Lawrie, Odorizzi, & Escobar) could've been dealt.

Really nice PA from Braun there. Probably had one to drive that he fouled off, but quality AB. C'mon Lind!

It's kind of arguing the details, but I don't agree that he's looked very good prior to this year. He reminds me a lot of post-elbow-injury Dave Bush -- not big velo on his FB, ok offspeed stuff, and heavily reliant on his control. When he's not really sharp, he's pretty hittable imo.

I either didn't know or didn't remember this factoid from Montgomery's Wikipedia page: After a his playing career, he spent four years as an area scout for the Milwaukee Brewers, during which time Milwaukee selected second baseman Rickie Weeks out of his South Texas/Louisiana territory. He was the Brewers' Midwest supervisor for two years and their assistant scouting director and national supervisor the next two years.

Cueto, Nelson look to quiet bats in Milwaukee By Jim Hoehn / Special to MLB.com | 4/22/2015 12:01 AM ET The Reds are trying to keep pace with the middle of the National League Central, while the Brewers are trying to avoid being buried by the end of the first month. They meet in the third game of a four-game series at Miller Park on Wednesday. The Brewers, off to their worst start in franchise history, have three starters on the 15-day disabled list: CF Carlos Gomez (hamstring), 2B Scooter Gennett (hand laceration), and C Jonathan Lucroy (broken toe). Jimmy Nelson starts for the Brewers against Johnny Cueto, as both pitchers look to quiet two offenses that combined for 26 runs in the second game of the series on Tuesday. Things to know about this game: • The Brewers have yet to win or split a series this season (0-4), including being swept in a pair of three-game sets. Milwaukee also lost its last four series last season. • Nelson, 1-1 in two starts, has been the lone bright spot in a starting rotation that was 2-10 with a 5.96 ERA in the first 13 games. In his first start, Nelson allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-0 victory over Pittsburgh. He then allowed two runs in five innings in a rematch with the Pirates, taking the loss in a 6-3 defeat. • Cueto, 20-9 a year ago, has pitched seven innings in each of his three starts this season -- twice striking out 10 -- but has yet to record a victory. Cueto, 0-2, pitched seven scoreless innings in his first start without a decision, then allowed one run earned run in his next outing, but took the loss. He allowed four runs on six hits in his last start, a 6-1 loss to the Cardinals.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/reds.png[/logo][game-info][h1]April 22 | 7:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Reds (7-7) | Brewers (2-12)[/h2][h3]FSWI | WTMJ 620[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://i.imgur.com/NIRyzPk.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/dNdMwkb.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]Johnny Cueto[/pitcher][h2]0-2, 2.14 ERA, 0.81 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]In a 6-1 loss at St. Louis Friday, a risky decision backfired on Cueto. He intentionally walked Jon Jay to load the bases for Yadier Molina, who hit an elevated sinker for a three-run double in the seventh for the go-ahead runs.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Jimmy Nelson[/pitcher][h2]1-1, 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Reds | Game Log[/h3][h3]Nelson gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out three in a rematch with the Pirates on Friday. He'll face the Reds at Miller Park, where he threw seven two-hit innings and struck out nine in his 2015 debut.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] CF Billy Hamilton 1B Joey Votto 3B Todd Frazier 2B Brandon Phillips RF Jay Bruce LF Marlon Byrd C Brayan Peña SS Zack Cozart RHP Johnny Cueto[/divclass][divclass=home] SS Jean Segura 2B Elián Herrera RF Ryan Braun 1B Adam Lind LF Khris Davis 3B Aramis Ramírez CF Gerardo Parra C Martín Maldonado RHP Jimmy Nelson[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

If they're willing to try obvious-first-baseman Jason Rogers at 3B, I think that if there was any chance Coulter could hypothetically stick there, they would've moved him there. I'm glad that for once they're not wasting defensive development time by trying a guy at a position where he's not a good fit.

At first, I was inclined to grumble about Schafer batting higher up than Maldonado... but what's the point

As long as this wouldn't mean that Herrera would be in any way in the plans to play the OF at all. It always makes me cringe when I see him mentioned as an OF option.

Gallardo wouldn't have been able to save anything about this season so far. At most you're talking maybe one or two more wins in his starts, but that would've required that the offense would've hit in those games, so I seriously doubt there'd be any difference. I definitely agree with your larger point, that the team should've been looking to sell off pieces like Lohse, etc. this past offseason (& probably the two prior as well).

I think this, from the article, sums up our situation: This is the trap of indecisiveness. The Brewers never could figure out whether they were coming or going, unwilling (or unable) to commit to a rebuild or go full speed ahead on contention. What’s left is a team that was built for mediocrity with a one-in-a-million chance of something more Can't help but once again be reminded of the great Billy Beane quote: "The key," Beane says, "is identifying the moment" — the time when continued success with incremental change has become impossible, when you have to cast off existing talent and start fresh. "The worst is when you try to do it halfway: when you think you can compete and you also think you're trying to rebuild. Then you're stuck in no-man's-land. You either do it or you don't."

Reds, Brewers seek punch for Marquis-Fiers matchup By Jim Hoehn / Special to MLB.com | 4/21/2015 1:06 AM ET Two teams with early-season struggles on offense will be looking to find their batting stroke under the retractable roof at Miller Park in the second game of a four-game set on Tuesday night. The Reds, who broke out with two home runs Monday in a 6-1 series-opening win, have scored 43 runs in 13 games. The Brewers, who have lost six in a row, have scored a Major League-low 31 runs in 13 games. Milwaukee also lost All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the disabled list Monday with a fractured left toe. Jason Marquis will be on the mound Tuesday for the Reds, opposed by Mike Fiers. Things to know about this game • All-star catcher Devin Mesoraco, who hasn't played since April 12, is expected to return to the Reds on Tuesday. He missed several games with a left hip impingement and was at home on Monday for what manager Bryan Price said were "family reasons." • Marquis will be making his 22nd career start against the Brewers. He is 6-12 overall and 1-3 at Miller Park. His lone victory in Milwaukee was April 17, 2005, when he was with St. Louis, pitching eight innings in a 3-2 win. He has lost six of his last seven decisions against the Brewers. • Fiers is 1-3 with a 3.08 ERA in six starts against the Reds. He took a 3-1 loss in his only start against Cincinnati last season, giving up two runs on four hits in five innings on Sept. 23 at Great American Ball Park. • The Brewers have not won a season series against the Reds since 2006, when they went 10-9. Milwaukee was 9-10 against the Cincinnati last season, going 6-3 at Miller Park.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/reds.png[/logo][game-info][h1]April 21 | 7:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Reds (6-7) | Brewers (2-11)[/h2][h3]FSWI | WTMJ 620[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://i.imgur.com/U4q1lVW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/KyFxg2H.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]Jason Marquis[/pitcher][h2]0-1, 6.30 ERA, 1.70 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]During a four-inning performance vs. the Cubs on Wednesday, Marquis was not locating his sinker well. It not only was up in the strike zone, but pitches were also drifting back over the plate.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Mike Fiers[/pitcher][h2]0-2, 5.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Reds | Game Log[/h3][h3]Fiers gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings and lost Thursday in St. Louis. He lost to the Pirates in his season debut, striking out eight while allowing five runs over five innings. He's permitted 14 hits in 10 2/3 innings.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] CF Billy Hamilton 1B Joey Votto 3B Todd Frazier 2B Brandon Phillips RF Jay Bruce LF Marlon Byrd C Brayan Peña SS Zack Cozart RHP Jason Marquis[/divclass][divclass=home] SS Jean Segura 2B Elián Herrera RF Ryan Braun 1B Adam Lind LF Khris Davis 3B Jason Rogers CF Logan Schafer C Martín Maldonado RHP Mike Fiers[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

Good? Seriously, "good" that he fractured his toe? Hope he doesn't rush back & lets it heal all the way.