batman

The Nationals seem to be having some anger management problems. Perhaps the beds in their hotel rooms are uncomfortable or their uniforms are starched too much and itchy. In any case, they all need a big hug. ~Bill

Green Shirt Guy is a dirty liar. The bat belongs to Yellow Shirt Guy. Green Shirt Guy should be beaten with the bat by Yellow Shirt Guy. FSN is teh roxor. ~BIll

I'm listening to an excellent Tea Leaf Green recording and it has put me in the mood to do a little research project. So, answering Mass Haas' call... It'd be interesting to see a runs allowed analysis with more-seasoned Brad Willcutt behind the dish vs. Angel Salome, Very interesting question. Here's a chart with their innings caught and (un)earned runs allowed while they're behind the dish. ================================= Date Catcher Inn R ER ================================= 06/21 Salome 9.0 3 3 06/22 Willcutt 10.0 8 7 06/23 Salome 6.0 4 3 06/24 Willcutt 9.0 4 4 06/25 Salome 9.0 4 1 06/26 Salome 9.0 4 4 06/27 Willcutt 9.0 6 4 06/29 Salome 8.0 6 1 06/30 Willcutt 9.0 4 3 07/01 Salome 9.0 6 5 07/02 Willcutt 6.0 4 4 07/03 Salome 9.0 5 3 07/04 Salome 8.0 5 5 07/05 Willcutt 9.0 6 6 07/06 Salome 9.0 8 6 07/07 Willcutt 8.0 0 0 07/08 Salome 10.0 8 8 07/09 Willcutt 8.0 2 2 07/11 Salome 9.0 9 5 07/12 Willcutt 9.0 4 4 ================================= Notes: * On June 23rd, Opdyke replaced Salome behind the plate for the seventh. * On July 2nd, Opdyke replaced Willcutt behind the plate for the seventh. * On July 7th, Opdyke replaced Willcutt behind the plate for the ninth. Here are the results. ==================================== Player Inn RA ERA URA ==================================== Salome 95.0 5.87 4.17 1.71 Willcutt 77.0 4.44 3.97 0.47 ------------------------------------ Diff +/- -1.43 -0.20 -1.24 ==================================== So the Helena pitchers are almost a run and a half better per nine innings with Willcutt behind the plate than with Salome. The biggest difference is the unearned runs... Angel's 1.71 Unearned Run Average is incredibly high, especially compared with Willcutt's 0.47. EDIT: Oops, I had spelled Brad Willcutt's name wrong. Two "L"s, not one. Apologies! ~Bill

Here is the thread, Wytlaf: p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...=831.topic ~Bill

Cool New Feature: you can now click on the names of the draftees at the top of this thread to view only the post with their information. If any of the links are broken, please let me know... I think the only bug is with Braun's link, which also includes the first post in the thread. EzBoard made this awfully difficult to accomplish, but I think it should work now... hopefully this is helpful! ~Bill

colbyjack, have you been in touch with anyone at Weatherford in Texas? A web search doesn't show 11th round RHP Brent Allar with a commitment to a four-year school, although I imagine he probably has one in hand. Probably the first-day draft pick we know the least about, just wondering if he'll be inked by fall, as he won't be a draft-and-follow candidate. See the draft thread, Mass... I added some more info about Brent. ~Bill

More info posted today (07/12) on mystery 11th round RHP Brent Allar from Weatherford College in Texas. He has a scholarship to Texas Christian so it looks like he might be a tough sign... the Crew will have to lure him away from the Horned Frogs. He's pitching in the Texas Collegiate League this summer and isn't doing so hot. EDIT: More information is also available about 26th-rounder Jake Arrieta, Allar's teammate. He, too, has a commitment to TCU but unlike Allar he has been outstanding in the Texas Collegiate League (he started their All-Star Game). It would be great to add him to the system but it looks like he'll be a very tough sign. ~Bill

Kudos to Brad Nelson for drawing a walk leading off the eighth. As Mass Haas pointed out above, the Stars had been set down in order up to that point! Enrique Cruz promptly grounded into a double-play to erase Nelson but Brandon Gemoll doubled to ensure that Mississippi faced *one* batter over the minimum on the night. Yikes. The Braves' hurlers that deserve credit include: - Chuck James, a southpaw selected in the 20th round of the 2002 draft who has been incredibly good as a professional. He did most of the damage, tossing a perfect game through six while striking out eleven of the 18 batters he faced. - Jason Richardson, a 1999 35th round pick by the Twins who has struggled somewhat as a Brave. He's 25 and not much of a prospect. - Jay Powell, the former big leaguer drafted way back in 1993 by the Orioles as the 19th-overall pick. He spent last year with the Rangers and went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA before hurting his shoulder. The Braves signed him with the hope that he'd be able to rehab and help the big league club and he's done very, very well in the Southern League. An interesting mix. ~Bill

Jorge today: == / 7th / == Mike Lowell walked. Alex Gonazelez struck-out swinging. Paul Lo Duca grounded into a 6-4-3 double-play. == / 8th / == Chris Resop struck-out swinging. Juan Pierre singled. Damion Easley struck-out swinging. Jeff Conine walked. Miguel Cabrera doubled to drive in Pierre and Conine. Juan Encarnacion struck-out swinging. 2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K Not good, but "4 K" is nice to see. Cabrera was the only one to hit him hard, in any case. Oh well. At least he got to pitch. ~Bill

Jorge walked Lowell, but he struck-out Gonzalez and got Lo Duca to ground into a double-play. 95-96mph heat, too. Good job, your Highness. ~Bill

Oh how I wish for my Jorge De La Rosa. But 'no!' Ned declares. In from the bullpen trots Bottalico, fanning the flames. Grand slam. Yuck. Sadness is here now, My happiness has left. Curse you Ricky B. ~Bill, pining for better days (like Monday)

I think you wrote something there, but my brain couldn't decode. Please confirm. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif You're right... I got confused for a second there. What I mean to say was: Good job Rich Dauer making Ned go along with your brilliant idea. He wanted to play Helms at 3B every day but you totally pwnz0red him. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ~Bill

I like the rotation at SS/3B that Yost seems to be using. Day 1: Hardy at SS, Branyan at 3B Day 2: Hardy at SS, Hall at 3B Day 3: Hall at SS, Branyan at 3B Everybody gets to play two out of every three games. If Yost does it right, Branyan's off-days will also coincide with lefties on the hill for the opposing team. That won't matter until after the All-Star break, though. Good job, Ned. ~Bill

I really like northsidebaseball.com for Cubs content. I try to link to blogs and fan sites of the teams the Brewers are playing in the Series Previews... perhaps I will consolidate all of that info and post it here at some point. ~Bill

'Cheese sammich' was cool But this thread will be greater WOAH SOLVDD here we come.

A mention from Jim Is mandatory tonight. Chucky hacks 2-0.

If the intention was to take him out after one runner got on with a cheap infield hit, then Turnbow should have started the ninth. Yep. ~Bill

I don't really get why you have to take him out once he gets a base runner. Just so he can't get a loss? It's an infield hit. Sheets is still the best pitching option right now. For a dog with bees in its mouth, you're a smart canine. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif I agree. ~Bill

HEART AND SOUL, BABY! ~Bill

McKeon is certifiably insane. ~Bill

Come on guys, this isn't rocket surgery.... you have to throw curveballs from the onset. Rocket surgery is hard. ~Bill

Also, it is interesting to see Sheets without sleeves on today. Historically he has always sported a dark blue sweatshirt under his jersey even on really, really hot days. I don't know if that was superstition or a comfort thing, but I've always been curious about why he would torture himself like that. ~Bill

The ball seems to sound dead coming off the Brewers' bats against Olsen. He's got a heavy, heavy fastball. ~Bill

Is Rickie the fastest player on the team, in addition to being the strongest and with the quickest hands? Good lord he's fast. I think I'm in love. ~Bill

Quote (brewers19): I think this Olsen character graduated from my high school; the local newspaper does an article about him every time he pitches. He went to Crystal Lake South HS in Lake In The Hills, Illinois. There is a lot of coverage of him on McHenryCountySports.com. ~Bill