TooLiveBrew

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/pirates.png[/logo][game-info][h1]August 22 | 7:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Pirates (65-62) | Brewers (71-56)[/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/ekf2dDe.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/AZgvW3y.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]Jeff Locke[/pitcher][h2]4-3, 3.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]A rematch of an earlier duel on June 8th, in which Locke dropped a 1-0 gem to Gallardo - the first of six quality starts in which he hasn't gotten the win. Locke's control has slipped a bit but still has walked only 19 in 14 starts.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Yovani Gallardo[/pitcher][h2]8-6, 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Pirates | Game Log[/h3][h3]Gallardo is 12-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 23 starts plus one relief appearance against the Pirates. He's already started four times against them this season, three of which became Brewers wins.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] 3B Josh Harrison RF Travis Snider CF Andrew McCutchen 2B Neil Walker C Russell Martin 1B Gaby Sánchez LF Starling Marte SS Jordy Mercer RHP Jeff Locke[/divclass][divclass=home] CF Carlos Gómez C Jonathan Lucroy RF Ryan Braun 3B Aramis Ramírez LF Khris Davis 2B Rickie Weeks 1B Mark Reynolds SS Jean Segura RHP Yovani Gallardo[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=31859 The new rankings are up in the MiLB forum! Big thanks once again to reillymcshane for not only compiling everyone's lists, but for his excellent brief writeups of all 25 prospects! Check it out.

I can't remember where I read it (online somewhere), but the ice bucket challenge awareness has apparently resulted in lots more donations for ALS research

Interesting read. Seems like this could be discussed at no end from numerous angles.

Frankly, we don't have a weak link. It's a great problem to have. I don't think we can count on any specific return time from Garza (even though the club has a target date now), & that bridge can be crossed when Matt is actually ready to return to full action. Whether we go with an extra man in the rotation or not, having more quality SPs than rotation spots is fine. Whoever RR, DM, & Kranitz opt to put in the bullpen will be just fine.

The Brewers play 17 straight days starting on August 29th. A 6 man rotation means 5 days of rest between starts not 6 for that period. Rock the boat with the vets? Really? I like to think they are a bit more professional than that. They see what Fiers and Nelson are doing. Lohse isn't the manager, and besides since the break, he's been the least effective starter. The points about the staff being gassed in 2011 are excellent. Gallardo's shown the past couple of years he's benefitted with some time between starts. So here you go again with the 6 game sample size. In 4 of those six games, his ERA is 1.75. Prior to rolling his ankle, 'since the AS break', his ERA was 1.83. He's had two bad starts, which happens over the course of a season... especially when a player injures himself like Lohse did. Did his performance suffered after rolling his ankle? Not surprisingly, yes. In the month of July his ERA was 3.03. On the year it's 3.49. The idea that you've uncovered some trend that Lohse is now the weakest SP link isn't backed up by the facts.

Dickey, Blue Jays look to regroup vs. Brewers Rough road trip has Toronto slipping out of AL Wild Card race By Jamie Ross / MLB.com | 8/19/2014 11:52 PM ET The Blue Jays will look to R.A. Dickey to get them back on track on Wednesday as they wrap up their series against the Brewers at Miller Park. The knuckleballer will attempt to salvage a win out of what has been a dismal eight-game road trip, during which the Blue Jays have gone 1-6. Dickey allowed a two-run shot early in his last start, and that was all it took to take the loss. He didn't allow another run and turned in his second consecutive quality start but suffered from a lack of run support. Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy said facing the knuckleball requires a different approach at the plate. "You can't try to swing hard and do too much, because that's what he's banking on," said Lucroy, who's 3-for-6 in his career against Dickey. "The ball is going to move at the last minute all over, so you have to try to see the ball up and try to hit a line drive somewhere. If he's down in the zone, he's going to be tough." Jimmy Nelson will get the ball for the Brewers, who'll be looking to sweep the two-game series. The right-hander is 2-3 in seven starts this season. He was recalled from Triple-A Nashville in early July when Marco Estrada was sent to the bullpen. Prior to his promotion, Nelson was 10-2 with a 1.46 ERA in 16 starts with Nashville, and considered the organization's top prospect by MLB.com. He pitched six innings and gave up two hits and two earned runs in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Friday. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Nelson has been improving since his call-up. "Jimmy was good. I liked his command," Roenicke said. "His fastball was mostly down in the zone. He threw some really good sliders. So yeah, I thought that was one of his better games." Blue Jays: Encarnacion gets first start back at first base An Interleague matchup vs. the Brewers meant Edwin Encarnacion got the start at first base Tuesday for the first time since hitting the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle. Encarnacion was activated from the DL on Friday but played his first three games at designated hitter. Toronto wanted to limit the wear and tear on his right leg, but with a pair of games in Milwaukee this week, that's no longer possible. The 31-year-old was at first base and the plan is for that to happen again on Wednesday while Adam Lind becomes a late-inning pinch-hitter off the bench. Brewers: Timelines set for Lohse and Garza Target dates were in sight on Tuesday for the returns of Brewers starters Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza from injuries. The team hopes to restore Lohse to the rotation next week in San Diego after he missed a start with a sore ankle, and Garza has been put on a path to return from a rib-cage strain sometime during the first week of September. The Brewers have been taking a particularly conservative approach with Lohse, who rolled his ankle on Aug. 2 in St. Louis and made two subsequent starts with compromised mechanics. After he exited an Aug. 13 start at Wrigley Field with renewed pain, the parties agreed it was time to get healthy. The Brewers can get by with their four current starters through Monday's series opener in San Diego, making Tuesday's game at Petco Park a potential stage for Lohse's return. Worth noting • Jose Bautista has reached base safely in 110 of his 119 starts this season. He has also reached base safely in 26 straight games. • Lucroy currently leads the National League in doubles (42). No primary catcher in Major League history has ever led his league in doubles.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/bluejays.png[/logo][game-info][h1]August 20 | 1:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Blue Jays (64-62) | Brewers (71-55)[/h2][h3]FSWI, MLBN | 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/JByOzTb.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/dNdMwkb.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]R.A. Dickey[/pitcher][h2]9-12, 3.95 ERA, 1.30 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Dickey allowed a two-run homer in the first inning of his last start but that was all it took to take the loss. He didn't allow another run as he completed his second consecutive quality start but suffered from a lack of run support.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Jimmy Nelson[/pitcher][h2]2-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Blue Jays | Game Log[/h3][h3]Nelson's recent opponents -- Wainwright, Bailey, deGrom, Lincecum, Kershaw and Greinke -- have produced five Cy Young Awards and five of baseball's last seven no-hitters. Now comes 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner Dickey.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] SS José Reyes LF Melky Cabrera RF José Bautista 1B Edwin Encarnación CF Colby Rasmus 3B Danny Valencia C Josh Thole 2B Munenori Kawasaki RHP R.A. Dickey[/divclass][divclass=home] CF Carlos Gómez C Jonathan Lucroy RF Ryan Braun 3B Aramis Ramírez LF Gerardo Parra 2B Scooter Gennett 1B Mark Reynolds SS Jean Segura RHP Jimmy Nelson[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

It's a mutual option. Unless the Brewers & A-Ram ventured into really foreign territory, the $4M clause/buyout applies only if the Brewers decline their side of the option.

Nice call

I would have thought it was a joke too if it had been ended with a smiley of some sort....instead of the word "Bub". Nobody uses that term in a friendly way.I'm still like 99.9999999% sure he was joking/just giving you a hard time

I didn't join Brewerfan.net to blow any Cardinal trumpets. Just swapping baseball talk and offering an opinion like everyone else. You seem to regard the Cards as some kind of baseball monolith. That's your opinion. I just don't happen to share it. OK?I'm pretty sure dlk9s was just making a joke

Of course what the "4.41 ERA" narrative ignores is that it's down to one bad start at normal health (8/2 @ STL), & then the start in which he got hurt. Aside from those two games, he's posted a 2.79 ERA since the beginning of July, & a 1.75 ERA since the break. To describe him as a "4.41 ERA pitcher" is either disingenuous, or missing very relevant & clear factors.

Awesome thread, Bombers. Please keep up the good work.

Fwiw, Arroyo's salary this season (age-37) is $9.5MM. It was $16.45MM last season, but he posted a 3.79 ERA over 200+ IP, so he likely was worth the salary. I do agree on selling high on Lohse this offseason.

Blue Jays look to Happ to keep playoff hopes alive Brewers will counter with Fiers, looking to keep win streak going By Jamie Ross / MLB.com | 8/17/2014 4:42 PM ET Mike Fiers has made a smooth transition into the Brewers' starting rotation, and he'll look to help the team extend its four-game winning streak when he faces the Blue Jays in the series opener Tuesday at Miller Park. Fiers, who joined the rotation in place of injured righty Matt Garza, is coming off a 14-strikeout performance in a win over the Cubs on Thursday. The club is skipping Kyle Lohse's start because of his sprained ankle. Because of a day off Monday, Fiers will be pitching on regular rest. Fiers is 2-0 in a pair of August starts, allowing one earned run and two walks over 14 innings. "I feel like I've been pitching like this all year," Fiers said. "I kind of got my confidence back from last year, probably in winter ball. Coming into Spring Training, I felt good. I just took off from there. Yeah, I got sent to Triple-A, but it didn't kill my confidence sending me down. I just had to wait for my opportunity and do it now." The Blue Jays will need a strong start out of J.A. Happ as they try to keep pace in the race for the American League Wild Card. The Blue Jays, 4-11 in August, have been unable to recapture the magic from a torrid run in May and a playoff spot seems more unlikely with every day. Happ has been one of the team's most reliable starters in the second half, posting a 2.51 ERA over five starts. He entered his last outing with a 1.71 ERA since the All-Star break, but hit a bit of a rough patch vs. the Mariners. The veteran lefty surrendered a costly two-run single to Dustin Ackley in the fifth and allowed five runs in his six innings. "The results weren't there, so that's obviously frustrating, every game is big, but you can't get too down on this," Happ said. "I felt good, I felt like I was making pitches." Blue Jays: Rotation getting rest The Blue Jays' starting rotation could use a breather, but this week might be taking it to the extreme. Toronto has three off-days within the span of a week. The first came after a recent series in Seattle with another pair on the way Monday and Thursday. A day off would normally be a welcome break for a staff that includes veterans R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle plus rookies Drew Hutchison and Marcus Stroman, but in this case it might be too much of a good thing. "I'd rather have them spread out a little bit to be honest with you," Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said. "I think when you get three within eight days, that's probably too much. But at the same time, it's not going to hurt us. Brewers: Gennett nearing full speed Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett believes it won't be much longer before he's once again running full speed on the basepaths, and the team's upcoming schedule could help. Off-days on Monday and Thursday, plus the fact the Blue Jays are starting a left-handed pitcher on Tuesday night at Miller Park, will give Gennett three of the next four days to rest the right quadriceps that has been giving him some trouble since a series in Washington immediately following the All-Star break. To avoid turning a nagging injury into a significant one, manager Ron Roenicke has encouraged Gennett to go easy on the bases when he can Worth noting • Melky Cabrera has hit safely in 23 of his last 30 games since July 13. • Brewers manager Ron Roenicke filed a report to Major League Baseball executive vice president Joe Torre requesting a second look at the controversial double play that ended a Brewers' rally in the seventh inning Saturday night. Rickie Weeks was called for interference on the play by second-base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after executing what he and Roenicke each insisted was a perfectly clean take-out slide. When Weeks and Roenicke protested, Wendelstedt told them he saw Weeks hit second base and roll into Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas behind the bag.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/bluejays.png[/logo][game-info][h1]August 19 | 7:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Blue Jays (64-61) | Brewers (70-55)[/h2][h3]FSWI, MLBN | 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/0wBJ2I5.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/9v7BIlQ.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]J.A. Happ[/pitcher][h2]8-7, 4.20 ERA, 1.39 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Happ entered his last outing with a 1.71 ERA since the All-Star break, but hit a bit of a rough patch vs. the Mariners. The veteran lefty surrendered a costly two-run single to Dustin Ackley in the fifth and allowed five runs in his six innings.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Mike Fiers[/pitcher][h2]2-1, 1.29 ERA, 0.81 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Blue Jays | Game Log[/h3][h3]Fiers moves up in the rotation because the Brewers are skipping Kyle Lohse, but he'll be throwing on regular rest because of Monday's off-day. Fiers is coming off a 14-strikeout, six-inning performance against the Cubs.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] SS José Reyes LF Melky Cabrera RF José Bautista 1B Edwin Encarnacion C Dioner Navarro CF Colby Rasmus 3B Juan Francisco 2B Munenori Kawasaki LHP J.A. Happ[/divclass][divclass=home] CF Carlos Gómez 1B Jonathan Lucroy RF Ryan Braun 3B Aramis Ramírez LF Khris Davis 2B Rickie Weeks C Martín Maldonado SS Jean Segura RHP Mike Fiers[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

Recap & video have been added to the lead post

Thanks for the excellent recaps, & your in-person support, SoCal!

Video & recap have been added to the lead post

Tonight he hit one off the CF wall JUST past the glove for a key hit. His next time up he poked a ball and stood there at the plate and didn't run hard until he saw that the ball would drop fair. He turned a double into a single. Had the Cards won he could have escaped critism.... but they didn't. OK. *sigh* We'll take him off your hands. Best I can do is $20.

Haren hoping to extend positive vibes vs. Brewers Peralta shoots for 15th win as Milwaukee tries to go 5-for-6 vs. Dodgers By Stephen Pianovich / MLB.com | 8/17/2014 12:41 AM ET Riddled with injuries, the Dodgers have been without pieces of their pitching staff they usually rely on in recent weeks. However, there is at least some good news about their pitchers: Dan Haren is trending in the right direction. Haren had an ERA just north of 10 in July and his first start of August. But in his last two outings, Haren has pitched more like a three-time All-Star. He gets the chance to build on recent success against the Brewers on Sunday as the two first-place teams wrap up a three-game series. The veteran righty has surrendered just three earned runs in 13 1/3 innings during his last two starts, picking up wins on both occasions. After his last start -- a six-inning, two-run showing with seven strikeouts against the Braves on Tuesday -- Haren cited positive feedback from Dodgers manager Don Mattingly as one of the reasons for his pair of strong starts. "[Mattingly] pumped me up, though, a little bit," Haren said. "He said I'd done a good job for the team, I got a bunch of wins and they feel good with me. That felt good. Going through a rut like I was, I was pretty much off the Internet and ESPN and MLB. There's no need to see any negative reinforcements. It was good to feel something positive from him." Opposing Haren will be Wily Peralta, who is aiming to tie Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto for the Major League lead in wins with 15. This will be Peralta's second attempt to lock down win No. 15. He took the loss in his last outing, though he had a quality start by allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings against the Cubs. Brewers: Team still looking to add bullpen arm through waivers The Brewers didn't see any results in their efforts to acquire another reliever prior to the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. But they're not done searching for a new bullpen member. Milwaukee's principal owner, Mark Attanasio, met with the media prior to the team's Saturday night contest in Los Angeles and said the Brewers are still very much looking to see what's out there in terms of relief help. "We put in claims literally today for relief pitchers," Attanasio said. "Literally, today." While the Brewers couldn't find any deals they were willing to take before the Deadline, they're not helped by the fact they are second-to-last in waiver claiming position in the NL because of their win-loss record. Dodgers: Ramirez could see time at third base The Dodgers are hoping Hanley Ramirez can return to the left side of the infield as soon as his 15 days on the DL expire. It just may be farther left than he's used to. Third baseman Juan Uribe was placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday because of an injured right hamstring, leaving the team with a need at the hot corner. This is where Ramirez comes in. Ramirez has made the position change before, spending time at third in 2012 when he was still with the Marlins, but he played eight games for the Dodgers at third two seasons ago after he was traded. Ramirez has played just shortstop in the last two seasons, but was at third taking grounders Saturday. He also participated in batting practice as he continues to recover from a right oblique strain that will sideline him at least until Aug. 24. "I feel like Hanley has been doing pretty well," Mattingly said. "He's been able to do some things yesterday. Feeling like when it's time for him to come off, he's going to be able to come off." Worth noting • Sunday will be the last regular-season meeting between the Dodgers and Brewers in 2014. Milwaukee has had a lot of success in the potential playoff matchup, winning four of the first five games -- all of which have been played in the last two weekends. • One day after leaving late in the game with a stiff back, Adrian Gonzalez was in the Dodgers' lineup Saturday. The first baseman went 1-for-4.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][game-info][h1]August 17 | 3:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Brewers (69-55) | Dodgers (70-55)[/h2][h3]FSWI | WTMJ 620[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/dodgers.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://i.imgur.com/nWE5qwV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QGHQ6Xa.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]Wily Peralta[/pitcher][h2]14-7, 3.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Dodgers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Peralta had won five consecutive starts and 10 of his previous 11 decisions but was defeated on Tuesday by an old foe. He fell to 0-3 this season against the Cubs, compared with 14-4 against his other opponents.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Dan Haren[/pitcher][h2]10-9, 4.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Haren has righted the ship after a disastrous five-start stretch that saw him compile a 10.03 ERA in 23 1/3 innings, giving up only three earned runs and issuing just one walk in his past two starts. Outside of those 5 starts, he has a 3.39 ERA on the year.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] Carlos Gomez CF Jonathan Lucroy C Ryan Braun RF Aramis Ramirez 3B Scooter Gennett 2B Khris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Jean Segura SS Wily Peralta RHP[/divclass][divclass=home] Dee Gordon 2B Yasiel Puig CF Adrian Gonzalez 1B Matt Kemp RF Carl Crawford LF Justin Turner 3B Darwin Barney SS Drew Butera C Dan Haren RHP[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday RECAP Adam McCalvy VIDEO Game Recap Peralta fans 5 over 6 scoreless frames[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

I don't disagree with you that the club could look to move Yo, but I think declining his option would mean turning down a nice package of prospects that you could get via trade. No way do I want to see them just decline the option.