TooLiveBrew

Lind's game logs, to me, look like he was playing pretty regularly as the LH-hitting side of a platoon prior to his injury. How is it that the Jays aren't really using him?

I'm thinking it's Dave Roberts

Semantics, I know, but I think it's relevant... It's not that prospect rankings are important (or even necessarily considered by MLB front offices), but typically speaking the people who put together prospect rankings will be looking for the same qualities that MLB scouts are. So I'd say it's because a prospect would be highly valued from a talent evaluation standpoint that would lead to him getting a good ranking from a BA/BP/Sickels/etc., & not really the other way around. Now, back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Garza back to face Rays, this time in first place Brewers righty has helped team keep hold on NL Central By Alex Halsted / MLB.com | 7/28/2014 5:12 PM ET When Matt Garza takes the hill against his former team Tuesday, he'll attempt to stifle a club that has won eight of nine games out of the break. That is where Garza, who tossed the lone no-hitter in Rays' history, has his focus as he returns to Tropicana Field, which he called home from 2008 through 2010. "I think the first time was [exciting] -- when I faced Minnesota the first time in 2008 [after being traded], but that's about it," Garza said of his excitement in facing a former team. "I just take every day the same. I go out there and do the best I can for my team and that's it." Garza, who has a 3.87 ERA and is coming off an eight-inning outing where he surrendered one run, will be leading a Brewers squad that has continued its stronghold on the division into the second half. By first pitch Tuesday, the Brewers will have sat alone in first place for 116 days this season. That is where the Rays are aiming for. After sitting as many as 18 games below .500 on June 10, the Rays have surged to within two games of the mark. Attempting to continue to draw closer to that mark, Tampa Bay will hand the ball to Alex Cobb, who found his rhythm with seven scoreless frames against the Cardinals last time out in what the right-hander called one of his best starts. "It felt like a prolonged period of time where I was searching for that comfort feeling on the mound, and it really felt like it clicked last game," Cobb said. "So it's just up to me to continue to feel that and repeat that delivery." Garza has made just one start against his former team, allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings with the Rangers last season. And while his excitement didn't show through Monday, his former manager knows his temperament well. "He's a great personality," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I had a good visit with him prior to early batting practice. Hasn't changed a bit. I really do like the guy a lot. He is good. He's having a good year. Had one bad outing a couple outings ago, but for the most part it seems like he's nailed it down." Brewers: Garza knows Trade Deadline well Matt Garza has an eye on the opposing locker room this week, and specifically Rays left-hander David Price, whose name has widely been rumored as the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches Thursday. Garza is with the fifth team of his career this season and was part of a July trade last season when the Cubs sent him to the Rangers one week before the Deadline. "It's a different way to look at it," Garza said of players in that position. "They're just giving me a shot to go to the postseason, that's about it. I think that's what every player looks at. No love-hate relationship. If you give me a shot to go win something, it's more of a compliment than anything." Rays: Peralta back from disabled list, Bedard designated The Rays designated left-hander Erik Bedard for assignment on Monday to make room for right-hander Joel Peralta to return from the disabled list. Peralta went on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, retroactive to July 13, because of the Chikungunya virus. It was Peralta's first DL stint in a decade, when he was with Triple-A Salt Lake (Angels affiliate) in 2004. Peralta, who became the franchise's career leader in appearances on July 4 (the record now stands at 270), is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 43 games this season. "It's great to have him back, he's so versatile, I'm telling you, man, a little bit of rest right now could really energize him for the season," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. Worth noting • Second baseman Scooter Gennett returned to the lineup Monday after missing five starts with a strained right quadriceps. Gennett went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his return. • Catcher Ryan Hanigan (left oblique strain) said he could start a rehab stint with Advanced Class A Charlotte on Wednesday, and Maddon said Hanigan could be ready to return from the disabled list for this weekend's series against the Angels.

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][game-info][h1]July 29 | 6:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Brewers (59-48) | Rays (52-54)[/h2][h3]FSWI | WTMJ 620[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/logos/80x80/tb.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/pitchers/brewers/garza-13.jpghttp://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/players/525x330/502171.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][h2]7-7, 3.87 ERA, 1.18 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Rays | Game Log[/h3][h3]Garza delivered the mother of all bouncebacks against the Mets, allowing only one run and two hits over eight innings, five days after he recorded only one out against the Nats. It snapped a two-start losing streak.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][h2]6-6, 3.76 ERA, 1.21 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Cobb had perhaps his best start of the season on July 23 vs. the Cardinals, tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out 10. Cobb is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four July starts.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away] DH Carlos Gómez C Jonathan Lucroy RF Ryan Braun 3B Aramis Ramírez LF Khris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds 2B Scooter Gennett SS Jean Segura CF Logan Schafer RHP Matt Garza[/divclass][divclass=home] CF Desmond Jennings 2B Ben Zobrist DH Matt Joyce 3B Evan Longoria 1B James Loney LF Brandon Guyer SS Yunel Escobar C Curt Casali RF Kevin Kiermaier RHP Alex Cobb[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

Sorry, I just wasn't feeling like myself that day. Next time I'll wear a heavy wool suit to the game and scowl more. I would imagine that those two go hand in hand.

I was really surprised to see just how bad the month of July has been for Aramis: .217/.250/.265/.515 He's quietly (I guess that just means I hadn't noticed) been pretty awful since his stellar June (1.036 OPS). We really need him to find his hitting shoes again.

Napoli for me is the guy they should be targeting. If you can get both, then I guess good (but that depends on the cost, of course).

I got excited for a second after Braun put the ball in play in the 9th. He juuussst missed it.

Any relation to THE Narrons?

Welcome back, Scooter! Nice to see him back in the lineup... hopefully that quad issue isn't persistent. Also, you're welcome for my fabulous graphic work on the Rays' logo pic & Odorizzi pic in the OP.

Odorizzi faces original club as Brewers visit the Trop Tampa Bay righty opposes tough Milwaukee hurler Lohse in opener By Steven Petrella / MLB.com | 7/27/2014 5:42 PM ET Jake Odorizzi has been on a mini-reunion tour the last few weeks. First, the Rays right-hander faced his hometown team, the Cardinals. Then two starts later, he battled the Royals, who traded him to Tampa Bay in 2012 as part of a deal that sent James Shields to Kansas City. On Monday, he'll face the Brewers, who drafted him and traded him to the Royals in 2010 in a deal involving Zack Greinke. Kyle Lohse will start for Milwaukee at Tropicana Field. Odorizzi has given up two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts and wants to keep his focus on the mound, not on the opponent. "I've kind of run out of stuff to say about that type of topic," Odorizzi said Sunday. "Treat it like another game, that's about all I can say, is go out and just try to continue what I've been doing and not change anything." In July, Odorizzi is 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA. Opponents are hitting .263/.317/.421 against him this month. Lohse, meanwhile, is having a stellar season. He's posted a 3.07 ERA, 1.095 WHIP and 4.04 K/BB ratio in 21 starts, and Milwaukee is 15-6 when he takes the hill. In his last two starts, Lohse has allowed just two earned runs and 14 hits over 13 2/3 innings. And even when he hasn't had his best stuff, he has found ways to win. "It almost seems like when guys get on base, he gets even tougher," Nationals center fielder Denard Span said after a July 18 loss to the Brewers. "That's what makes him such a good pitcher." Rays: Hard road ahead • Tampa Bay has been red-hot, winning nine straight before Sunday and 20 of 25, passing 12 teams in the standings since the club last held the Major Leagues' worst record June 29. But the upcoming slate is a tough one. The Rays' next three opponents -- the Brewers, Angels and Athletics --- have the three most wins in all of baseball. The A's and Angels are the top two teams in the Majors, and the A's and Brewers lead their divisions. But the Rays have had success lately against strong opponents. Tampa Bay has won its last four series against teams in the playoff hunt -- the Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees and Orioles. Detroit leads the American League Central, Baltimore leads the AL East and Toronto and New York are battling for the second AL Wild Card slot. The Rays took three of four games from both the Tigers and Orioles, beat the Blue Jays two out of three and swept the Yankees. Brewers: Roenicke plans on splitting DH duties • Manager Ron Roenicke said he plans on dividing the DH duties in the three-game series beginning Monday in St. Petersburg. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez didn't start Sunday, so Roenicke said it was possible that Ramirez would DH the first game. Ramirez appeared as a pinch-hitter for the first time this season Sunday, popping out in the eighth inning of a 2-0 loss to the Mets. "We had planned this a few days ago," Roenicke said. "He needed a day somewhere. Then we'll see what we can do with him in Tampa. We'll get him a day DHing. Maybe [Monday] and then he'll have two in a row." The Brewers have played five interleague series, but only four games in AL ballparks. In those games, Ramirez started at DH twice. Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun started one game each. Roenicke said the same trio likely would split the DH assignment, with Carlos Gomez also mentioned as a possibility. In 10 games last season in AL ballparks, Ramirez was the DH five times, Lucroy three and Khris Davis two. Worth noting • Rays reliever Joel Peralta (illness) could return from the disabled list Monday against the Brewers. Peralta pitched one inning in a rehab outing for Class A Charlotte on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one. • Tony La Russa, a Tampa native, was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday. • Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett was expected back in the starting lineup Sunday, but the club wanted to give him more time to rest his right quad. In Sunday's loss, he popped out as a pinch-hitter after not playing since coming out of Tuesday's game against the Reds.

http://i.minus.com/ibqFBgVNUcZm4K.gif YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT! THIS IS BASEBALL!!!

So... Pick up Kottaras for next to nothin', play Luc at 1B & Maldonado at C most days. Have great roster flexibility around the C position. Release Overbay. Step 4: ???. Step 5: Profit.

Very good point TooLiveBrew. I always tell myself that I'm not going to get pulled into these conversations when they come up on the board, but then I find myself getting into the debate. I agree that I don't think minds will be changed with these discussions. Seems like this subject matter usually ends up just creating tension between the brewerfan users. Barring any earth shattering breaking news, I'm going to do my best to just try to stay out of these discussions when they pop up (but no promises!). Same here, on both points!

The fact that the Rays want Coulter makes me 100% not want to see him included. I don't agree with shipping out Nelson, either.

I don't see baseball perpetuating the myth that Braun took steroids. I see them penalizing him for breaking the rules agreed upon by both the players and the owners. The players take equal part in forming the rules established under the collective bargaining agreement. If the players believe that there are currently banned substances that should not be banned because they simply help the body heal (which I'm guessing is somewhat debatable) then they should negotiate that in the next CBA. MLB itself broke the confidentiality rules they agreed to, & then additionally pursued a Braun suspension even though he'd won his appeal... which was won by going through the process of rules MLB also agreed to. I get that people don't like "steroids" (air quotes there because, like monty57 notes, it's not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing), but the fact that one has to basically knowingly do mental gymnastics to see MLB as the clear do-gooder in this case really frustrates me. This discussion & debate have been had to the point of exhaustion on this forum, so I doubt anyone will change anyone else's mind. Braun did something against the agreed-upon rules, & so did MLB.

Yost reinvented what 'bad' meant, relative to MLB managers, on seemingly a nightly basis. I'm not here to stick up for Roenicke as much as I'm here to stick up for objectivity & sanity. Yes, I wish Ron wasn't such a run-of-the-mill MLB Lifer manager, but he's just nowhere near Yost-bad for me.

I didn't say it was close. I said it was closer than you think. You said it's not even 'within a universe'. Yost was.......awful. (Yes, I do remember the Shouse/Burrell thing.) But if people think Roenicke "isn't that bad", they're choosing to selectively overlook a lot of really stupid stuff that he does. Again, I'm not saying he's as bad as Yost, but he's really pretty bad. Yost was bad on a he-gave-a-legit-reason-to-fire-him-in-almost-literally-every-game level. Roenicke is nowhere near as bad as Yost was.

Absolutely not, & it's not even within a universe of being close. I suspect it's closer than you think. No, it's really not. I've never before or since seen a manager worse at playing matchups than Yost. He was colossally bad -- Ryan Braun defending at 3B bad.

Imo, realistically the Red Sox have a large amount of leverage because the market for first baseman is so dry. I don't think the Brewers could afford to try to play tough in negotiations. If Napoli is, in fact, available, there'd likely be a large market for him. He hits both RHP & LHP, gets on base well, & has power.

Absolutely not, & it's not even within a universe of being close.

I just came here to post & ask if anyone else caught that! It wasn't just Coshun, either. Nelson definitely started laughing first. I also think you can read between the lines on that comment from Roenicke. Melvin is going to go out & add a viable 4th OF before the deadline imo.

Obligatory TLB 'yay, Lopez is pitching today!' post. (& Devin Williams, too)

Hmm. Do go on. I'm not certain if having a guy with 100mph heat + movement is good or not. How were you able to arrive at this conclusion, good sir?