09/15/2004 - Brewers (Wes O.) vs. Giants (Tomko & Bonds) Last night was fun, if ultimately unsatisfying. Tonight Barry will again go for #700, this time against Wes Obermueller. Sporting a 6.42 ERA, Obermueller has faced 467 batters this season and allowed 14 home runs, a ratio of about one longball every 33 batters. That's not bad, but opposing hitters are batting .303/.360/.510 or an 869 OPS against Obie, or almost exactly the line Jose Guillen is producing in Anaheim (.303/.360/.515, 875 OPS). In other words, when Obie is on the mound the opposing team, pitchers included, become hitters of Guillen's caliber. And that's pretty good... for the hitters, not Wes Obermueller. I'm fighting through a nasty illness, so no game for me tonight. I encourage anyone "on the fence" to head out to Miller Park, though... the Brewers are doing a nice job with their fandemonium thing and seeing the stadium rise to its collective feet when Barry steps to the plate is something to behold. It really is quite an awesome experience, something I won't soon forget even though he didn't go yard. Anyway, that's all I got. If you won't be at MP, be here or be square... 6:35 PM CDT is the first pitch, cheese sandwiches will be served, and you get to see Wes Obermueller. What could be better? ~Bill