LouisEly

One of the Reds two wins this year was against the Cubs. Shut them out. I can only imagine what Cubs fans were saying after that game. Bad teams beat good team occasionally.

On the bright side, Corey Ray 3-5 with a 3B and 2B and Woodruff and Ponce with very good starts.

Using voice recognition software?

I don't know who this Castillo guy is, but he's throwing 96-97. Fun fact, he was once traded for Casey McGehee.

Remember, these guys are professional athletes - they are as competitive as competitive gets and they will almost always tell the coaches they are "fine" or just need a day or two no matter how much they are hurt. X-rays and MRIs (if even available on short notice) can only tell so much; it's up to the player to tell the trainers how they feel and often it's the player's fault for under-reporting it.

I think Flores just said you can take your crying jokes and shove them up...

He signed a minor league deal, so I don't think he will make his major league salary because it wasn't guaranteed. Likely he makes a minor league salary with major league experience, which i think is around $85K - not a bad gig.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Help the old guy get it.

What's the move tomorrow? Do they swap Phillips for Lopez, or Phillips for Guerra with Woodruff called up for the next #5 start?

Interesting to note that Lara played SS and Garcia played 3B. I would love to see them try to develop Garcia at 3B. It would also be a wonderful thing if at least two of Lara, Ray, Medeiros, and Grisham could break out this year and look like they could become solid major leaguers.

Take the Metra train from Kenosha to Evanston - Davis Street. Hop off there, walk a half block and take the Purple CTA "El" line into the city to any stop that also has the Red line, then transfer to a Red line train and take that to the Addison stop next to the stadium.

No, not really, in a busier urban area the left lane is the slow lane for some reason that I cannot understand. With rare exception (downtown Chicago being one of them) there aren't on-ramps merging into the left hand lane, so why the hell is it slower than the other lanes? Speaking of the word "so", what's bugging me is the number of people lately who are starting sentences with the word "So...". No, you should not start a sentence with the word "so".

If you're concerned about the Brewers bullpen, I can bet that Cardinals fans are much more concerned about theirs. The Brewers have lit up the Cards bullpen and even in losses to the Cards they have been backpedaling. Not only did the Brewers beat the Cards bullpen twice, in the last game of the first series even though the Cards won 6-0 they used three pitchers in the 9th.

I can't believe Hoover was even an option to begin with. Dude's walk rate has been awful the last two years, and mediocre at best before that. Not sure why anyone is surprised by what happened.

Counsell was drafted 319th in 1992. Of the 318 players drafted ahead of him only nine bested his career WAR total. I think you are severely underselling his talent as a player. [sarcasm]Worst draft class of all time.[/sarcasm]

You mean you really enjoyed Wainwright talking about retiring, correct?

Back in spring training Stearns said that, to paraphrase, he has 8-9 guys who he feels comfortable starting games. I wonder if they take the bottom four of those guys (Woodruff, Guerra, Wilkerson, Peralta) and rotate them in and out with the last few bullpen guys (Houser, Williams, Lopez, Hoover) and Phillips/Broxton/Dubon to maximize the bench and bullpen when the fifth starter isn't pitching?

I think Cichy will go in the 5th; the injury history will push him down. The Pack did bring him in for a workout, but I'm not sure if it was an official workout (one of the 30 they are allowed) or he just came up because of geographical convenience and they let him workout. I considered him in the 5th, but went with Genard Avery instead. Too bad about Nick Nelson. Hopefully the Lions make it right and draft him early on day 3. On an unrelated note, I don't think that WR is as big of a need as some do. They have Adams, Cobb, and Allison, and they're really high on Michael Clark - they activated him from the practice squad prior to Week 13. Then you have Trevor Davis and DeAngelo Yancey. They'll draft a WR to compete with Davis/Yancey for the 5th/6th WR spot, but other than D.J. Moore and maybe Courtland Sutton there isn't anyone I'd spend a day two pick on. They have boundary receivers in Adams, Allison, and Clark - they need a slot receiver to take over for Cobb next year, and you can find those in the middle rounds. The Viqueens have two pro-bowl caliber receivers and didn't have to spend more than a 5th round draft pick (and one no draft pick at all) to get them. I also don't think safety is a need despite the loss of Burnett - it's why they let him walk. They have Dix, Jones, Brice, and Evans, and they activated Whitehead for 10 games last year. A S/CB hybrid like Jamerson can allow the Packers to keep Jones as a S/LB hybrid on passing downs.

On the bright side, Gilbert Lara with two hits including a home run today. Maybe all is not lost. Carolina the anti-Brewers, scoring five runs on only two hits in the first half of the doubleheader. Erceg off to a torrid start, and Jankins with a gem. Daniel Brown with two huge strikeouts of top prospects Blake Rutherford and Gavin Sheets to make it a minor league sweep today, which was much needed.

Braun's exit velocity on the line drive - 108.8. But right at Hayward. Cubs get two bloopers for singles today, and a couple of bloopers yesterday against Barnes. That luck will turn around at some point.

Welp, here we go again. With nine picks on day three there is a really good chance they use one or two of those picks to trade up in the 2nd or 3rd or get and extra 3rd. Let’s get after it. 1st Round: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College – production his senior year wasn’t like the huge junior year he had (16.5 sacks, 22.5 TFL) because he missed a couple of games with injury but looked great at the combine with top five times in the 3-cone and short shuttle and fastest time in long shuttle among all LBs. Fills a big need as CMIII’s career is starting to wane and Perry can’t stay healthy. If they trade down: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa – big-time playmaker with NFL size (6’1”, 192), he was a one-year wonder but what a year it was with 8 INTs and 27 passes defensed. Didn’t look good at the combine but ran much faster (4.42) at their pro day. Signing Tramon Williams lessened the need at CB a bit, but they will still draft at least one CB if not two somewhere. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia – undersized but speedy LB who can chase down anyone from sideline to sideline. GB let Joe Thomas walk and has only Martinez and Ryan as full-time ILBs left on the roster. They will draft ILB somewhere, the question is who and when. 2nd Round: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado – athletic CB and former track star (was decathlete on Colorado track team as freshman) who has great size (6’0”, 200) and long arms. Sat behind NFL draft picks until this year, the thought is he is just scratching the surface of what he is able to do. If they trade up: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State – has a bit of Watt in him as he started as a walk-on QB, but now is a 6’4” 250 lb linebacker with good speed and agility. Played more inside but has length to move outside. One-year wonder who didn’t make a lot of plays behind the line (8 TFL, 4 sacks), but that could be a function of playing ILB and he forced four fumbles. High ceiling. Don’t be surprised if it’s: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland – put up big numbers despite everyone knowing they were targeting him and Maryland being down to their 4th string QB due to injury. Put up as good if not better numbers at the combine as Calvin Ridley; if he had Ridley’s supporting cast would be talking in the same breath as him. More like a Randall Cobb, he’s on the shorter side at 6’0”, 210, but ran a 4.42 with a 39.5” vertical. 3rd Round: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma – more of a WR in a TE body, he doesn’t offer a lot as a blocker but runs excellent routes with a deft feel for route adjustments and operating in space. Red zone threat who averaged one TD every five catches and can also go long as he averaged 15.8 yards/catch for his career. Not elite but good enough athleticism with huge hands. They let Richard Rodgers walk, Kendricks had too many drops, and I don’t know that Graham sees his entire contract length. Like ILB, a TE or two will be drafted. If he’s still available: Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford – true junior who was a three-year starter with seven career INTs. Has great size (6’1”, 210) and ran a 4.48 at their pro day with a 39” vertical. Son of a NFL defensive coach, he was never penalized in 2017. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Braden Smith, OG, Auburn – the Packers sent their OL coaches to Auburn’s pro day, and he was the target. Became starter as a freshman and is built like a bank safe with great strength and is a mauler. 4th Round (from Browns): Austin Corbett, G/C, Nevada – former walk-on at Nevada who became four-year starter at LT. Likely doesn’t have the length to stay outside, he offers positional versatility and can be the next J.C. Tretter who can play anywhere needed. If he’s still available: P.J. Hall, DT, Sam Houston State – there’s dominating a lower level of competition, and then there’s what Hall did as he tallied 42 sacks, 86.5 TFLs, and 14 blocked kicks for his career. Oh, he also ran a 4.76 40 at their pro day – at 308 lbs. Generously listed at 6’1”, he won’t bat down a lot of passes but could be another Mike Daniels and an absolute terror on the interior. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB, Oklahoma – on the shorter side, but explosive with long arms and gets off the ball and upfield with juice and attacks the pocket. Had 29.5 TFL, 17 sacks, and five forced fumbles over last two seasons and has ability to disengage blockers and run down plays as he had very high tackle numbers for a college DE. 4th (comp): Arrion Springs, CB, Oregon – Pro Football Focus graded him out as the best CB in the Pac 12 and he led the conference in passes defensed but was only 3rd team All-Conference and somehow didn’t get invited to the combine. Well, he showed them as he supposedly ran a sub-4.4 at their pro day. Good size (5’11, 200) with excellent athleticism, but only had two INTs for his career. If he’s still available: Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa – tremendously productive and always around the ball because he is extremely quick to see and diagnose the play and has a relentless motor. Doesn’t have size or long speed, but excellent short-area quickness as he had the 2nd fastest 3-cone time among all LBs at the combine. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State – former high school QB and son of NFL WR Cedrick Wilson started at juco, then combined for 139 catches for 2640 yards in only two seasons for Boise State. A bit on the skinny side, but has length, is an excellent route runner, can work from either outside or slot, and gets open deep – over 25% of his catches went for >25 yards and averaged 19 yards/catch for his career. 5th Round (from Browns): Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin – Green Bay has been meeting with guys who showed great athletic traits, and it doesn’t get more athletic at LB than Jacobs. Ran a disturbingly fast 4.48 at the combine, and once ran down Melvin Gordon in practice. Not a great pass rusher, he’s more of a coverage LB and best fit at the next level might be on the inside. Can be a special teams demon until he finds his position. If he’s still available: Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis – while GB traded for their developmental QB in Kizer, Ferguson ran a juggernaut offense at Memphis and in his two years combined for almost 8,000 yards, 70 TDs, and 19 INTs. Almost 40% of his pass attempts were for more than 10 yards, he is deft at dropping balls over defenders and back-shoulder throws. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Justin Watson, WR, Penn – any questions about his athletic ability were answered when he ran a 4.39 at his pro day with a 40” vertical. Totaled 3,777 yards and 33 TDs in his career. Athletic, muscular 6’3”, 215 – his floor is Jeff Janis, but went to an Ivy League school (not Saginaw Valley State) so he shouldn’t have any issues learning the route tree. 5th (comp A): Natrell Jamerson, S/CB, Wisconsin – same as Leon Jacobs, a super-athletic prospect who bounced around between three positions (WR, CB, S) in his college career. Ran a 4.40 40 at the combine and led all DBs with 25 reps on the bench. Lots of special teams experience, he can be the S/CB hybrid the Packers had with Micah Hyde. If he’s still available: Gennard Avery, ILB, Memphis – played both outside and inside, and very athletic for his size. Big LB with history of production, had 22 TFLs his senior year and was top-10 in the 40 among LBs at the combine. Returned both INTs his junior year for TDs. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Wyatt Teller, G, Virginia Tech – need someone to push McCray for the starting guard position. Very strong, long arms, good body control. 5th (comp B): Cole Madison, T/G, Washington State – three-and-a-half-year starter at RT, he’s a good athlete who gets out of his stance quickly and works well in space with lots of experience in pass protection. Has experience to start right away at RT if Bulaga and Spriggs aren’t healthy, but best fit long-term may be at guard. If he can stick at RT it could allow the Packers to part ways with the oft-injured Bulaga and free up cap space. If he’s still available: Andre Chachere, CB, San Jose State – good size at a hair under 6’0” and 197 lbs, was very productive as a junior but teams stopped throwing his way as a senior and production dropped off. Ran 4.48 at the combine with a 38” vertical and has huge hands, can be more than adequate boundary corner. Eerily similar combine measurements and numbers as Josh Jackson. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan – injured part of senior year but had really good tape junior year and had 500 receiving yards in only eight games as a senior. Started college career as basketball player, had 38” vertical at combine. 6th round: Dylan Cantrell, WR, Texas Tech – may not have long speed, but instincts, ball skills, and body control are elite. Big body WR who knows how to use his body and the sideline. Drops are rare and has late hands that can snatch the ball out of the air – combine that with his vertical (38.5”) and height (6’3”) and you have a sideline back-shoulder throw terror. Body control showed at combine as he posted the top time in the 3-cone, short shuttle, and long shuttle among all WRs; could be boundary or slot, and a slot receiver his size could be a weapon. If he’s still available: Zach Seiler, DE, Ferris State – like Hill he dominated lower level of competition and posted 50.5 TFL and 26.5 sacks his junior and senior year combined. Also ran a ridiculous 4.78 at his pro day – very impressive for a guy 6’5”, 290 – and put up 31 reps on the bench. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Aaron Evans, OT, UCF – three-year starter at LT, his tape the last two years isn’t great but that’s because he was playing with a back injury that required surgery at the end of the season. Now he feels 100% and could be a bargain this late. 6th (comp): Deon Yelder, TE, Western Kentucky – stuck behind NFL draft pick Tyler Higbee, Yelder broke out as a starter this year catching 52 passes for 688 yards and 7 TDs. Known as one of the most athletic players on the team and a good blocker. A little short (6’3”) but a complete TE and good special teams player. Pack reportedly brought him in for a workout. If he’s still available: Dominick Sanders, S, Georgia – a little undersized (5’11”, 186), Sanders was a playmaker who found the ball with 16 career INTs. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Dorace Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa – highly athletic WR and Madison, WI, native slipped out from under UW’s nose to star at UNI. Good size (6’1”, 204), ran a 4.46 40 with a 42.5” vertical at their pro day, the Pack sent scouts to watch him. 7th Round: Anthony Winbush, OLB, Ball State – undersized DE who will have to convert to OLB, Winbush had 11.5 sacks in 2017 and led the nation with five forced fumbles. Relentless motor, Pack had scouts at Ball State’s pro day. If he’s still available: J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State – combined for 5,600 yards, 59 TDs, and 16 INTs his junior and senior season combined. Might not be ideal height/size, but productive and I think their hurry-up offense didn’t do him any favors. Certainly has agility and good enough arm strength, but questionable downfield accuracy. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Chris Seisay, CB, Portland State – started as a freshman at Oregon but transferred before his junior season to Portland State. Ideal size (6’1”, 197), good athleticism (ran 4.50 at pro day with great 3-cone time). Pack sent scouts to his pro day and interviewed him. 7th (from Buffalo): Zaire Franklin, ILB, Syracuse – the Packers have been targeting highly athletic players and Franklin fits the mold, and he had an outstanding pro day as well. With Joe Thomas gone, the Pack will need depth at ILB. If he’s still available: Trayvon Henderson, S, Hawaii – another highly athletic prospect, had a great junior season (90 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 3 INTs, blocked kick) but inconsistent senior year. Pack had scouts at Hawaii’s pro day. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Kendall Donnerson, OLB, Southeast Missouri State – move over Leon Jacobs, Donnerson dropped jaws at his pro day with a 4.44 40 and a 40” vertical. Played OLB in a 3-4, and is great size at 6’3”, 250, but is raw and needs lots of coaching. Pack brought him in for a workout. UDFA’s: Jeremiah Briscoe, QB, Sam Houston St. Kani Benoit, RB, Oregon Austin Ramesh, FB, Wisconsin Nick Keizer, TE, Grand Valley St. Malik Turner, WR, Illinois Deontez Alexander, WR, Franklin College Jake Campos, OT, Iowa St. Dejon Allen, G, Hawaii Nico Falah, C, USC Mike Ramsey, DT, Duke Tyler Lancaster, DT, Northwestern Anthony Ellis, OLB, Charleston Southern Matt Oplinger, OLB, Yale Eric Boggs, ILB, Appalachian State Ben Niemann, LB, Iowa Trey Johnson, CB, Villanova Cameron Roane, CB/S, Columbia Jaden Wright, S, New Mexico St. Aaron Medley, K, Tennessee Trevor Daniel, P, Tennessee

I'm going to disagree with this, all four pitches well off the plate, they were trying to "unintentionally intentionally walk" him. He got lucky in that last one was close enough to get at it. Cubs knew he would go after pitches off the plate, they made the mistake to put one too close.

This. Guerra and Williams pitched yesterday, Houser has not pitched yet - he's fresh and can go multiple innings. They think highly of Houser - like Williams, there's a reason they kept him on the 40-man despite not being able to pitch for two years.

As they say in football, if you have two quarterbacks you have none...

Just kidding, we can offer you mimosa too! You can drink them in our establishments and outside too in our parking lots!!! It's a night game - you have to offer Moscow Mules!