Bernman23

I'd take Greinke out after 5, or at least 6, regardless of how many runs he's allowed at that point. He's fortunate only to have given up two with how hard Arizona is hitting him. His delivery looks very stiff and as a result he's not getting normal movement on his fastball and breaking stuff, in addition to him missing spots. We have that reliable quartet in the bullpen, Saito-Hawkins-KRod-Axford; might as well take advantage of that.

Great game pitched by Gallardo. They were looking for the curve ball so he sneaked fastballs inside. Now this sets up almost the ideal situation with the maximum typical lead for the dominant closer the Brewers' possess (no jinx).

I didn't think that was anywhere close to gone off the bat. It jammed him and the ball hasn't been traveling well today, although it's been a little better in right field.

Sure, but a double still isn't a great thing I think he was saying, if it doesn't get over the fence Plush would have a play on it.That too

Leave him out there through the 8th because he looks more reliable than K-Rod but in the 9th inning Axford always has to be the man to finish close games off until he proves he can be beaten.

Sure, but a double still isn't a great thing No, but there were two outs. There was a high probability he'd have gotten out of it anyways given how he's been pitching.

That's why they call him Doublebay and not Homerbay. There was never any doubt in my mind that wouldn't make it over the fence in center.

So we'll be doubly screwed if the Brewers don't seize homefield advantage now because adjustments aren't being made home/road. I would personally weigh that very little. While we expect players in general to perform better at home, Greinke's 2011 home/road split is flukishly large. In contrast, he actually had a better ERA on the road last year. As is with many of the seemingly unexplainable splits baseball fans latch onto, the most likely explanation for it is going to be largely centered around luck. If someone wants to use it as a tiebreaker, great. The Brewers aren't competing in the playoffs next season or last. They're competing in the playoffs this season. And this season he's struggling on the road, while that's occurring to Marcum at home. You don't think they are aware of that which in turn effects their performance until there's a game or two which turns things around for him in that department. Athletes in sports (especially in baseball which requires preciseness of movement) are streaky overall and situationally and they'll acknowledge it comes down to confidence. You'd refer to that as "anecdotal evidence", a buzz-phrase to deligitimize the information, but you could also classify it qualitative research. And while quantitative research is more reliable on average because it's not as prone to bias (although it is from the interpreter), qualitative research has the potential to be more valid because more variables can be accounted for. For example, you're using standard deviation to pawn off extreme ups and downs as luck because they more or less average themselves out over extended periods of time. However, what is to say there aren't causes to the ups and downs though, especially when numerous ballplayers themselves would tell you that is the case. The events aren't anomalies if they are extreme and frequent. Rather, the opposite is the case. They are tendencies. Greinke and Marcum have established a tendency in the present which requires being adjusted to if possible.

This has been one of the most frustrating games in a while for sure. If they don't win they're going to look back at all the golden opportunities they squandered to tack on runs and get out of innings w/ less damage done.

They're just getting all the breaks tonight between the weak hits, that ball not bouncing over the wall, Braun's shot hitting the top of the wall, etc. The Pirates must have like 6-7 runs with 2 outs tonight. It's very frustrating.

Lucroy swung at ball 4. I'm surprised he got any lift on that baseball because it was practically on the ground. Kottaras was the percentage play, but Lucroy could have paid off if he didn't decide to swing ahead of time.

Yuni B taking a walk with the bases loaded and down 1 is a more beautiful sight than Elizabeth Hurley standing underneath a rainbow. I'd like to see Kottaras here replacing Lucroy against the righty.

What does being passive have to do with driving in runs? It has everything to do with driving in runs. Ryan Braun doesn't want to take a walk in those situations. He wants to be the guy come up with the big hit if all possible. He's not up there taking multiple strikes like Weeks is. Weeks has a leadoff hitter's mentality.

I don't think driving in runs is really in Weeks' nature. He's a passive individual. But where else would we put him with Hart thriving in the leadoff spot, Morgan a rock at #2, and all our #5 hitters struggling?

The biggest game by far for us is AZ vs LAD, which hasnt started yetI know it is, but I want to avoid the Phils any way possible, and anyone who that isn't a motivation for is a loon.

The Phillies are tied with the Braves in the 6th inning. Cards are currently 1 up on the Stros in the 3rd So things are going alright for the Crew in the other games at least.

He shouldn't be aligned to pitch at home in the playoffs, and Greinke on the road. I don't know how much more of a sample some need to see. Fortunes will certainly change in the future for both pitchers, but that doesn't mean there isn't something to it now. Both pitchers know where they've recently succeeded and failed. As for conceding runs after you squander surefire scoring opportunities of your own, how much more often do you see that happen? Good job by the Brewers to make the Pirates feel good about themselves. They needed a reason to at Miller Park.

Which is MUCH better than playing the Phillies in the first round, so go Cards! I was disappointed in all the fans rooting against the Cards on Friday. It was a short-sighted motivation. The Crew wasn't going to lose 5 straight at home against the likes of the Marlins and Pirates.

Screw Matt Kemp. What is he so valuable to, finishing .500?!?! Braun is running away in this race.

Another good and lucky inning for the Crew. Now that Nolasco was relieved and the Brewers are up 7-1 I expect Roenicke to substitute Morgan/Gomez for Kotsay.

What a foolish offensive performance by the Crew. The wind is blowing out, sun is glaring in fielder's eyes, and the Brewers are swinging violently and hitting most balls on the ground. Meanwhile all our outfielders are having an adventure on the Cub fly balls. Can you imagine how bad of a time Soriano would have if we actually hit balls that he had to go back on?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wRiDbqzpdb4/S-Ljaw6PfRI/AAAAAAAABRs/ytntXz-eLr0/s400/3s_episode1.jpg

Mets take the 6-5 lead on 3 walks and a bunt single, lol. Sounds like the Crew against the Mets.

The quittin' Phils

Furcal with a leadoff double in the 11th. Damn, I wish the Brewers had acquired him. We could have saved a lot of anxiety and frustration.