Fear The Chorizo

True, sometimes reverse splits don't work as great when the hitter seemingly can't hit any lefty

just feels like they need one hit in one of these spots to break out in a big way, but every time they fail to come through they grip the bats even tighter...

The Brewers are one of the last 3 teams playing for a championship in 2018...

If it goes extras, sure...but I agree that it's not like he'd be covering multiple innings right after Buehler. Part of what made Wednesday's game so frustrating is his deep start preserved some of the gassed bullpen arms the Brewers could have taken advantage of in the middle innings while the game was still tight. Instead they got to roll with their best non-closer (Baez) option followed by short 1-2 batter stints by their other key guys. Jansen only comes in that game because Madsen obviously didn't have it. As a Brewer fan, Kershaw on 2 days rest after throwing ~100 pitches would be great to see pitching in game 7 at Miller Park. To me that would mean that they have the Dodgers on the ropes or are tied late where 1 swing of the bat could send them to the world series.

I'm pushing for a starting lineup that includes Domingo...I think he deserves to get 3-4 ABs in this game more than Aguilar does given recent performances. Ryu isn't a lefty that should dictate sitting your best lefthanded bats - Shaw needs to start this game, IMO. Cain CF Yelich LF Braun 1B Shaw 2B Santana RF Moose 3B Arcia SS Kratz C Miley P Doubt it happens that these are the starting 9 - but if they are I actually wouldn't mind if the lineup shuffles a bit provided these are the guys in it. I get the want to get Pina in the lineup, but as others have said Kratz is Miley's catcher. Wouldn't mind taking the risk of Pina replacing Kratz later in the game once Miley comes out though. they've already subbed catchers out twice this postseason, including a game where Kratz walked a thin line in getting tossed after he was rung up on a terrible strike 3 call. Plus, Pina is the far better option to try and keep a late inning steal from happening.

Yes, and to paraphrase, Counsell said the plan was to not give Bellinger anything to hit. Then they would have walked Grandal to get to the pitcher. But Junior caught too much of the plate, and Bellinger smoked it. In hindsight, that's the whole point of an intentional walk. That just sounds like an answer that's trying to avoid blame for the decision - makes zero sense with a tiring Guerra to entrust him throwing pitches outside the zone to try and make Bellinger chase, particularly when the decision came at a 1-0 count after Machado got into 2nd on that first pitch in the dirt. IIRC, Guerra threw Bellinger several very hittable pitches during that AB, so I don't believe CC's answer for a second. I think the decision to pitch to Bellinger had more to do with how they wanted to approach pitching the 14th, knowing that walking the bases loaded to get to the pitcher's spot in the lineup would mean the Dodgers would get the top of their order back through for the next 3 outs - which they have to get regardless to win or continue the game. Getting Bellinger out in that spot would've meant their 14th inning batting order would be Grandal, pitcher's spot, Peterson - all lefthanded bats that I'm guessing Cedeno would've been sent out to try and get out. Plus, Guerra's spot in the order was due up 4th in the 14th - Brewers were out of position players on the bench, so Guerra (former catcher) wouldn't have been the worst option to hit again before being pulled for Cedeno had they started a rally. It wasn't the right decision because they didn't get Bellinger out, but there's no way the reasoning was to try and pitch around Bellinger to ultimately face the pitcher's spot in the 13th.

If the Dodgers are indeed starting Ryu on Friday, I would hesitate to get too righthanded as he actually profiles as a reverse-split type of pitcher the past few seasons. Despite how much Moose is struggling at the plate and Shaw's typical struggles against lefties, I'd want both him and Shaw in the lineup. I think Shaw could use a game's worth of ABs instead of being a later inning replacement to be productive, regardless of whether the pitching he faces is righty or lefty. I also think Santana needs to find a way into the starting lineup, too - so Jesus can sit and take that RH power pinch hitting role with Braun sliding over to 1st. Then shake the lineup up a bit more by inserting Santana in the cleanup spot and moving Aguilar down to the 5 hole. With how Arcia is hitting, I actually move him up a notch in the order and then have Moose slide down to 8th. Cain CF Yelich LF Braun 1B Santana RF Shaw 2B Kratz/Pina C Arcia SS Moose 3B Miley I don't want to see Perez or Schoop in the starting lineup just because Ryu is a lefty starter - Brewers need to find the best lineup that combines the horses that got them to this point and gets the bats who are hot in the best places possible.

Yeah, in no way did I think it was the right move (I posted right after Machado took 2nd on that ball in the dirt questioning why Bellinger wasn't just walked to at least get to Grandal in that spot) - just trying to come up with something that makes sense as to why they kept pitching to Bellinger. During the whole AB, all I kept thinking was - "this dude actually changed his approach against Hader to almost beat you in the 9th and made a ridiculous catch to prevent runs from likely scoring in the 13th - take away the chance for him to be the hero, because he sure as heck seems like he's destined for it in this game"

I'm not following this logic at all. Yes, you just need one out. So wouldn't you want to face a pitcher who gives you far and away the best chance at getting that one out? The only marginal defense of it is that walking 2 to get to the pitcher in that spot guarantees the middle of their order comes up the next inning, and CC wanted to try and leave as many "easier" outs in the current Dodger batting order for the bottom of the 14th. To win that game they were going to need to get at least 4 more outs without giving up a run. I'm not saying it's the right move, but that had to factor in the equation. What ticks me off is the fact Guerra was in that spot against Bellinger, in large part because the Brewers' situational lefty who was still available can't be counted on to get a lefty out (Cedeno). Last two games have been disappointing, obviously...but I'm hoping this ride doesn't end in a couple days - really want to see the offense wake up with some home cooking and get things to a game 7 winner take all scenario!

Well, he did....and he did so by exploiting a lineup that can't get out of its own way when there are scoring chances and opportunities to put up a crooked number Still would have been a different story. He’d have left being behind. But he didnt...it comes down to him being better than the hitters in key spots - im not saying the brewers aren't to blame by making it easy on him in those spots with poor ABs...the extremely frustrating part of it is they had the right guys up in those spots (as they have many times over the last 4 games), and they continually have failed. If it wasn't for the bottom of the brewers order this would be the clincher for the dodgers already.

Well, he did....and he did so by exploiting a lineup that can't get out of its own way when there are scoring chances and opportunities to put up a crooked number

The reason the brewers offense is seemingly hibernating is because both yelich and aguilar aren't producing with ducks on the pond at all...golden opportunity to have a huge inning wasted right there

While I agree overall that when you know a single scores a run, just do all you can to hit oppo. If that means moving back from the plate a bit, choking up etc do what you have to do. The main thing I wanted to point out is that when shifted like that they also pitch you to it, as in their jamming everything inside thus making it hard to go oppo. So it's harder than it seems. That's why I mentioned moving away from the plate. For the clutch talk. I think what I've seen over the years is that there isn't necessarily a clutch aspect but more of an anti-clutch. As in, pressure can legit cause tensing up and choking. But there isn't really anything legit that someone does better in the clutch. hope that makes sense. So being 'clutch' is just being your normal self. True on how pitchers try to pitch into shifts, but if a hitter actually changes their approach from taking full effort swings it's a ton easier to spoil well-located pitches or lay off them in early counts by focusing on a specific spot in the zone and at least try to combat it. Moving off the plate and a bit up in the batters box would definitely aid in going the opposite way. I'm not advocating for this every AB, but picking spots to at least try being David Eckstein within at bats has more upside than downside with how the offense is going - for both teams - right now.

I know it's the way baseball is played now, but bellinger's AB against Hader in the 9th yesterday really made me question why hitters don't try to take advantage of extreme shifting if the game situation is screaming for it. Yelich bunted his way on earlier this series...moose and Shaw could have chances at doubles just by playing pepper with the left side of the infield. Even with guys in scoring position, hitters on both teams with two strikes are still swinging for the downs when a bleeder through a vacated half of the infield will get the job done. Get guys on base, put pressure on the d and pitching...you may sacrifice the chance for more hr's, but it's not like balls are flying out left and right.

Gio has to be pulled from the NLCS roster to get either Davies or Anderson on it - simply to have somebody that can log multiple innings from the pen aside from Woodruff tomorrow if necessary. With how Gio has looked this postseason, there's zero downside to him missing a possible world series. Also maddening is the fact that our so-called lefty specialist can't be counted on to get a LH bat out over a tiring Guerra in that spot - there was literally no better spot for Cedeno than Bellinger or walking him to get to Grandal. frustrating loss, with a quick turnaround tomorrow

dangit

not sure why bellinger isn't walked to first in this spot here

That would be me...now I'm at home, wondering how in the world I'm going to sleep!

They can but it makes him ineligible for WS. Who, Gonzalez? no sweat there...

Was out earlier tonight and don't have time to read through the entire thread...is there precedent for replacing Gonzalez on the roster with Davies or Anderson due to his ankle injury? Really feels like regardless how this game ends up, it would dramatically help things for tomorrow and the rest of this series. Score, please!

Unless his spot comes up this inning, Gio will get the 2nd...even with all hands on deck

1 run after all that feels like stealing

There's freddy

He is all over the place

Rocket dp ball coming here