batman

Some game thoughts: Brady Clark has sure been hitting well lately. Wouldn't it be wonderful if both he and Grieve could both play? I'm looking at you, Mr. Jenkins. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Nice job getting out of the first by Davis. I can't stand watching Pete Munro throw a baseball. I just can't stand it. The way he cups his wrist and yanks his hand behind his back before release is just so irritating. I have no idea why it bothers me, but it does. It's like watching Craig Counsell's godawful batting stance, only worse, 'cause Munro is pitching all the time, not just once every two or three innings. Re: Beltran Discussion I think A-Rod is quite possibly the best current comparable, and that's unbelievable. He doesn't steal bases like he used to, but otherwise he also offers power, patience, average, and great defense at a premiere position. As much as I hate the idea of Beltran getting purchased by the Yankees, I think it will be good for baseball to get him into the national spotlight. He's such a special player, and he's a joy to watch. Among position players, I would probably argue that the "greatest young player in baseball" over the last two decades has proceeded nicely from Bonds to Griffey to A-Rod to Beltran. There are others worthy of a mention, but those four are all similar players that hvae combined power, patience, average, speed, and superb defense. Hopefully we can add Rickie Weeks to that list some day soon. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

Re: Beltran Discussion soriano I thought about him, but he is a poor defender and doesn't have any patience at the plate. He does hit for power and average and steal lots of bases, plus he plays a premiere defensive position, but he still doesn't have the same overall package that Beltran does. ~Bill

I'm in a Houston lovefest mood right now, so here's a question to bonder as you watch the game. Who is a comparable player to Carlos Beltran? His combination of speed, power, average, patience, and defense plus the fact that he switch-hits and plays a premiere position makes him a truly exceptional player. Looking at his Baseball Reference page, there are some interesting names, but none of them really jump out at me. Does anyone, contemporary or historical, compare well with Beltran? ~Bill

I believe this is a direct quote from Mr. Bill Schroeder, but even if it isn't, it's very close and the second sentence is 100% accurate. "Doug Davis has been too aggressive in the strike zone of late. Maybe try and walk a couple of guys or something." Wow. What goes on in his head? Here's what I'm thinking: Problem: Doug Davis hasn't pitched so well lately. Hmm...Why could that be? Well, he hasn't walked anyone. So that must be it. He's not walking people, so they are hitting him. So instead of allowing them to get hits, he should walk them. Yes! That's it! But that's professional color commentary, right? Maybe Doug has been throwing too many "down-the-middle" strikes in pitcher's counts. But the solution, then, is to not to do that and instead try and throw quality strikes. But "try and walk a couple guys"? Are you kidding me? Exhibit number 1,239,039,821 that he is an idiot. ~Bill

Apropos of nothing, Brad Lidge is an unbelievable pitcher. He has struck-out 88 batters in 56 innings and has walked only 19. That's a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.63 and a strikeout-per-9-inning ratio of 14.14. Opposing batters are hitting .170 against him with an OPS of 569. To compare, Eric Gagne has fanned 69 batters and walked 9 in in 45.2 innings, good for a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7.67 and a strikeout-per-9-innings ratio of 13.60. Opposing batters have hit .156 against him with an OPS of 481. Lidge is 27, Gagne is 28. They both have prevented 16.7 adjusted runs, but Lidge is making just $360,000 this year. Unbelievable. Hopefully he doesn't get to pitch again today, huh? ~Bill

Today's lineups are brought to you by Phil Garner, who decided to give Jeff Bagwell a day off against a left-hander. When you have an aging veteran who is no longer the same player he was just a few years ago, turn to Scrap Iron for no-nonsense, no-holds-barred lineup tweaking. The Good Guys: Scott Podsednik, CF Craig Counsell, SS Geoff Jenkins, LF Lyle Overbay, 1B Brady Clark, RF Wes Helms, 3B Bill Hall, 2B Chad Moeller, C Doug Davis, P (Insert obligatory comment about Nedley's affection for Wes Helms here.) (Insert obligatory comment about Brady Clark starting against a right-hander here.) The Bad Guys: Craig Biggio, LF Adam Everett, SS Carlos Beltran, CF Lance Berkman, RF Jeff Kent, 2B Mike Lamb, 1B Morgan Ensberg, 3B Brad Ausmus, C Pete Munro, P (Insert obligatory comment about how bad Pete Munro is here. Seriously. He's not good.) EDIT: And for those with an insatiable appetite for batting average, home run, and RBI totals, here's the Sportsticker-by-way-of-USA-Today spiffied-up starting lineups. MILWAUKEE HOUSTON AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI Scott Podsednik CF .256 10 28 Craig Biggio LF .305 15 38 Craig Counsell SS .253 2 14 Adam Everett SS .269 6 25 Geoff Jenkins LF .249 14 52 Carlos Beltran CF .250 10 20 Lyle Overbay 1B .339 11 65 Lance Berkman RF .297 17 62 Brady Clark RF .271 5 24 Jeff Kent 2B .287 11 55 Wes Helms 3B .260 2 19 Mike Lamb 1B .317 7 30 Bill Hall 2B .254 6 33 Morgan Ensberg 3B .260 5 40 Chad Moeller C .235 4 22 Brad Ausmus C .232 3 20 Doug Davis LHP .000 0 0 Pete Munro RHP .111 0 0 (9-8, 3.76) (1-2, 4.46) ~Bill

I think he had to make a change before things got too out of hand. That's the thing, though... it sure didn't seam like Hendrickson was getting roughed up, and at that point he was just as good an option as any of the long relievers to not give up any more runs. The home run by Lane was just a solid piece of hitting, and that was the only hard hit ball that inning. I'm very confident that any of the other starters would have remained in the game, which is why I found the decision questionable. Lil' Ben hasn't done anything to prove he's going to fail, yet, and to just assume he will is not a very good confidence-building measure. Wise ended up allowing two inherited runners to score, too. Yeah, that's 20/20 hindsight, but did he really offer a better chance of stopping those two runs from scoring than Hendrickson? I hated seeing Jeff Bennett, too, but at this point I've just decided to anticipate him getting the call in every important situation. That way, I'm pleasantly surprised about once a week. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

That was a pretty frustrating game. I'm surprised no one mentioned the early hook for Lil' Ben... I don't get that at all. I know Nedley hates young players (joke! sort of), but he was pitching very well and his pitch count was still quite low. He was removed after a fluke hit-and-run roller that barely got to the outfield... why did that prompt Ned to come running out out of the dugout with the hook? If you want to build Hendrickson's confidence, don't treat him like you're afraid he'll implode at any minute. We don't know if Ben has Obermueller's problems going deep into games or not, yet. If Obermueller got to pitch into the sixth inning so often, why doesn't Hendrickson? I don't get it. Ben is young, but that's no reason to treat him like a mental gidget, to quote Mr. Derek Lowe. ~Bill

The Columbus Clippers are the Yankees' Triple-A team (International League) and play in Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus Catfish are the Dodgers' Single-A team (Sally League) and play in Columbus, Georgia. There might be others, but those are the only two that are named "Columbus". ~Bill

I consulted the OPTIMISM GENERATOR , and it gave me this: Brewers win 8-3, Hendrickson allows two runs on five hits in seven innings and strikes out five without allowing a walk, and Tim Redding doesn't get out of the second inning. Gary Bennett is going to get at least one hit, too. ~Bill

His bobblehead seems to be following the Minor League prohibition of facial hair, huh? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Lots of interesting probables today... Matt Childers and Travis Phelps are kind of "blah," but it would be nice to see Dennis Sarfate put together a nice start and Greg Moreira, Jesse Harper, Josh Baker, and Ben Diggins all bring different storylines to the table. Let's hope they all put together nice outings to coincide with Ben Hendrickson's first big league win. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

That picture would make for a wonderful caption contest. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

One additional thought is that, if Doug really is making that sort of quote about Indy, perhaps he already has thoughts of moving the AAA team elsewhere next year. Great post, Huntsvillefan (you've sure brought your "A" game recently!). The only thing I wanted to mention is that the above-mentioned quote that Al posted is very much out of context. Melvin was talking about the Sexson trade and was pointing out that he wanted Major League ready talent in return for him, not more prospects. In other words, he didn't want to make Indianapolis, Huntsville, or Beloit better, he wanted to make Milwaukee better. I don't think Indianapolis will have any problem finding a "better," higher-profile organization to step in next season. They are one of the premiere Triple-A franchises in baseball, and Victory Field is one of the best facilities to play in. If they don't want to be affiliated with the Brewers, they won't be. And if I had to wager a guess, that will be the case. ~Bill

No more picking on the Tribe tonight other than to say box score and game log on consecutive loss # 12 soon... I don't have any cool "I remember him" stories about game two. Instead, I'll just add that Hernan Iribarren is the opposite of this Indy club. And that's not a compliment for the Indians. ~Bill

The OPTIMISM GENERATOR never fails. Now isn't it more fun that we won in the ninth instead of in the eighth or in the early innings? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Great win, and badly needed. It will be nice not seeing all the doomsaying for at least another 24 hours. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

Kent, Bagwell, Ensberg. This won't be easy, but my optimism generator remains, well, optimistic. I'd copy and paste those lame Godsmack lyrics, but at this point I'm really kind of holding out for a new DK song. I nominate Do The Evolution by Pearl Jam. IT'S DK TIME!!! will have to do for now. ~Bill

Wes just earned his self a cheese sandwich. A freaking big one. Nicely done, Wesley! ~Bill

Raul Chavez is a pickin' machine back there. Very nice work. ~Bill

And by "take him yard," I meant advance him to third with a weak 4-3 grounder. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

Told you so. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Now, Brady gonna take Lidge deep. ~Bill

Thank you very much, gigantic centerfield. Vizco would be a great pitcher there... all those home runs he gives up would just die in Beltran's glove in front of that nutty hill. Now, time for that ninth-inning win. My optimism generator reserves the right to claim that an extra-inning win would be even better, but I'm not listening to it anymore. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

Hate to play the pessamist Bill, but with David MIA for awhile I cant help but step in and say that it is highly unlikely THIS offense will put runners on second and third with no outs again this game. They won't have to. Overbay's gonna double and Clark's gonna go yard. Duh. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill

I hate harping on the umps, but this guy is terrible. Agreed. Lidge is filthy, but more importantly he was really smart. He took advantage of Ginter's weakness (sliders) and Jenkins' weakness (balls) like a crafty veteran (TM Dave Burba 2004). One of them needs to put it in play there, but I gotta believe that's easier said than done. I consulted my optimism generator, which was barking at me, and it told me to remind everyone that a ninth inning victory would be cooler than an eighth inning victory, so there ya' go. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif EDIT: I forgot to mention this... how do you throw a 90+mph slider and not destroy your pitching elbow? Lidge gets hard, sharp, late break on that pitch and he is clearly snapping it off K-Rod style. There are very few people in the world that can do that without rendering their arms useless. What an amazing pitch. ~Bill

Raul Chavez is freaking fat. If he wasn't quite as rotund, that would have been a wild pitch. Burgleflickle. ~Bill

Lidge is one of Ginter's best friends. This should be a good matchup. If Lidge were a man, he'd go after him with fastballs only. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif EDIT: What a loser... no fastballs. That's Gint's weakness, and if anyone can exploit it, it's Lidge. Crikey. EDIT: RoCo, yeah... couldn't respond though - totally cool and appreciated. That was part of the motivation for the optimism generator. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif ~Bill