pretendastronaut

August 26 - 7:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/cubs.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpg 57-74 78-54 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/cubs/lopez-01.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/wolf-24.jpg Rodrigo Lopez 4-4, 4.97 Lopez served up four homers over 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the Cards and also gave up 10 hits. The problem? He's a finesse pitcher who couldn't locate. Lopez has faced the Brewers twice this year, but both were in June and in relief. Brewers vs. Lopez Lopez Game Log Randy Wolf 10-8, 3.45 Wolf was on his way to a second straight gem before running into a heap of trouble in the seventh inning at Citi Field on Saturday. Before that, he'd worked eight innings in two consecutive starts. He's 5-10 against the Cubs. Cubs vs. Wolf Wolf Game Log Starting Lineups SS Starlin Castro 2B Darwin Barney 3B Aramis Ramirez 1B Jeff Baker C Geovany Soto CF Marlon Byrd LF Alfonso Soriano RF Reed Johnson RHP Rodrigo Lopez RF Corey Hart CF Nyjer Morgan LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder 3B Casey McGehee SS Yuniesky Betancourt 2B Jerry Hairston Jr. C George Kottaras LHP Randy Wolf Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites Northside Baseball

I think wanting to win factors in for the guys who can have a say in the matter. Certainly the top tier free agents go to contending teams almost without fail. Here the the top 10 free agents for the last 4 years. Outside of Kansas City and Washington, they went to contending teams. Some teams you won't see on this list; Toronto, Baltimore, Cleveland, Oakland, Seattle, Florida, Pittsburgh, Houston, San Diego. 2010 01. Cliff Lee : Philadelphia 02. Carl Crawford : Boston 03. Jayson Werth : Washington 04. Adrian Beltre : Texas 05. Victor Martinez : Detroit 06. Adam Dunn : Chicago Sox 07. Carl Pavano : Minnesota 08. Jorge De La Rosa : Colorado 09. Andy Petitte : -- 10. Jake Westbrook : St. Louis 2009 01. Matt Holliday : St. Louis 02. Jason Bay : NY Mets 03. John Lackey : Boston 04. Joel Pineiro : LA Angels 05. Aroldis Chapman : Cincinnati 06. Andy Petitte : NY Yankees 07. Randy Wolf : Milwaukee 08. Orlando Hudson : Minnesota 09. Felipe Lopez : St. Louis 10. Noel Arguelles : Kansas City 2008 01. Mark Teixeira : NY Yankees 02. CC Sabathia : NY Yankees 03. Manny Ramirez : LA Dodgers 04. A.J. Burnett : NY Yankees 05. Derek Lowe : Atlanta 06. Rafael Furcal : LA Dodgers 07. Adam Dunn : Washington 08. Ryan Dempster : Chicago Cubs 09. Milton Bradley : Chicago Cubs 10. Oliver Perez : NY Mets 2007 01. Alex Rodriguez : NY Yankees 02. Jorge Posada : NY Yankees 03. Mike Lowell : Boston 04. Barry Bonds : -- 05. Andy Pettitte : NY Yankees 06. Francisco Cordero : Cincinnati 07. Andruw Jones : LA Dodgers 08. Mariano Rivera : NY Yankees 09. Jose Guillen : Kansas City 10. Kyle Lohse : St. Louis

Supposedly they've gone after some infielders, but it hasn't made any noise; Link

Supposedly the Astros asked for Drew Pomeranz in return. LOL.

Then Braun and Fielder fail. Typical.

Hart steals second, and Hairston does his job to be sure Hart gets to third. These first two at-bats are what the Brewers haven't been able to do for years, and even the first half of this year. These are the types of things that give me a lot of confidence in this team.

Oh man, someone's getting beaned in preseason!

August 24 - 11:35 A.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/pirates.jpg 78-53 60-68 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/marcum-26.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/pirates/thompson-01.jpg Shaun Marcum 11-3, 3.40 In two starts against Pittsburgh this season, Marcum has allowed only one run in 14 2/3 innings. He earned a tough-luck no-decision after 7 2/3 quality innings at Miller Park last week. Pirates vs. Marcum Marcum Game Log Aaron Thompson 0-0, -.-- Thompson will make his Major League debut just two weeks after he was at Double-A Atltoona. He's filling in for an injured Kevin Correia. He'll be limited to about 55 pitches after going only four innings in his past two Triple-A outings. Brewers vs. Thompson Thompson Game Log Starting Lineups Hart RF Hairston CF Braun LF Fielder 1B McGehee 3B Betancourt SS Lucroy C Wilson 2B Marcum P Tabata LF Harrison 3B McCutchen CF Walker 2B Jones 1B Paul RF Cedeño SS McKenry C Thompson P Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-wmlw.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites The Unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates Message Board | The Pirates Tavern

Because we used two starters yesterday, with no off-day in the schedule.

August 23 - 6:05 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/pirates.jpg 77-53 60-67 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/estrada-07.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/pirates/ohlendorf-01.jpg Marco Estrada 3-8, 4.28 Estrada moved into the rotation when Chris Narveson suffered a cut on his left thumb, and will get at least this one start. In a start against the Pirates last week, Estrada allowed one hit in five shutout innings. Pirates vs. Estrada Estrada Game Log Ross Ohlendorf 0-0, 7.27 Ohlendorf is expected to be recalled to take Paul Maholm's rotation spot. He hasn't pitched in the Majors since April 9 due to a lingering shoulder injury. Ohlendorf allowed two-runs in a seven-inning Triple-A start on Tuesday. Brewers vs. Ohlendorf Ohlendorf Game Log Starting Lineups RF Corey Hart CF Nyjer Morgan LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder 3B Casey McGehee SS Yuniesky Betancourt 2B Jerry Hairston Jr. C Jonathan Lucroy RHP Marco Estrada LF Jose Tabata RF Xavier Paul CF Andrew McCutchen C Ryan Doumit 2B Neil Walker 1B Garrett Jones 3B Josh Harrison SS Ronny Cedeno RHP Ross Ohlendorf Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites The Unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates Message Board | The Pirates Tavern

For those not listening to the radio call, Cory just said that the Brewers are the first team in MLB history, to have 2 different players with at least 4 lead-off homers in the same season. Weird little bit of trivia for you.

August 22 - 7:40ish P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/pirates.jpg 77-52 59-67 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/greinke-19.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/pirates/lincoln-01.jpg Zack Greinke 12-4, 3.92 Greinke is 9-0 at Miller Park, but 3-4 with a 5.01 ERA in his first nine road starts this season. He's produced eight consecutive quality starts, regardless of venue, and the Brewers have won each of his last five outings. Pirates vs. Greinke Greinke Game Log Brad Lincoln 0-0, 5.40 The Pirates will move Lincoln out of the 'pen to start this game. He won't be able to go deep given his limited work lately, but Lincoln is an experienced starter. This will be Lincoln's second start for Pittsburgh this year. Brewers vs. Lincoln Lincoln Game Log Starting Lineups Hart RF Morgan CF Braun LF Fielder 1B McGehee 3B Betancourt SS Lucroy C Wilson 2B Greinke P Tabata LF Paul CF Walker 2B Doumit C Jones 1B Diaz RF Harrison 3B Cedeno SS Lincoln RHP Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites The Unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates Message Board | The Pirates Tavern

Poor Hairston, only one to not get booed in the first inning.

August 22 - 4:05 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/pirates.jpg 76-52 59-66 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/narveson-22.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/pirates/karstens-02.jpg Chris Narveson 8-6, 4.49 Narveson will come off the DL to start the opening game of the Brewers' doubleheader. He's been sidelined since accidentally slicing his left thumb with a scissors on Aug. 12 while fixing the stitching of his glove. Pirates vs. Narveson Narveson Game Log Jeff Karstens 9-6, 3.12 Karstens lasted only 5 1/3 innings, but he handled himself well against a tough St. Louis lineup in his last start. Efficiency was a rare problem for him in the game, which was his third of less than six innings since July 26. Brewers vs. Karstens Karstens Game Log Starting Lineups CF Nyjer Morgan 2B Jerry Hairston, Jr. LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder RF Mark Kotsay SS Yuniesky Betancourt C George Kottaras 3B Craig Counsell LHP Chris Narveson RF Jose Tabata 2B Josh Harrison CF Andrew McCutchen LF Ryan Ludwick 1B Steve Pearce SS Ronny Cedeno 3B Brandon Wood C Michael McKenry RHP Jeff Karstens Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites The Unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates Message Board | The Pirates Tavern

The Brewers haven't lost consecutive games since July 23-24 to SF.

The Cubs didn't do well at the deadline, but I don't think it was for a lack of trying, I think it was for their hands being so tied. Reports are still that they're willing to move Soriano and Zambrano, and pick up a large chunk of their contract. I just don't think anyone was willing to jump on them. I don't think we know much about Ricketts yet to really know if this is a good or bad thing for the Brewers. To me though, it's hard to get the impression that he'll spend like Hendry was able to early in his tenure.

Good news for the people who want Lucroy batting higher than 8th today!

August 19 - 6:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/mets.jpg 73-52 60-63 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/marcum-25.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/mets/pelfrey-02.jpg Shaun Marcum 10-3, 3.50 Marcum is 3-0 with five no-decisions in his last eight starts, but he pitched well against the Pirates on Sunday. He allowed a first-inning run, but hurled 7 2/3 innings. Marcum pitched six shutout innings against the Mets on June 7. Mets vs. Marcum Marcum Game Log Mike Pelfrey 6-9, 4.58 Though Pelfrey left his last start in the fifth inning after taking a line drive off his pitching elbow, X-rays were negative and he should make his next start. That will come against the Brewers, whom he held to two runs over six innings on June 8. Brewers vs. Pelfrey Pelfrey Game Log Starting Lineups RF Corey Hart CF Nyjer Morgan LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder 3B Casey McGehee SS Yuniesky Betancourt C Jonathan Lucroy 2B Craig Counsell RHP Shaun Marcum CF Angel Pagan 2B Willie Harris 3B David Wright 1B Lucas Duda RF Mike Baxter LF Jason Pridie C Josh Thole SS Ruben Tejada RHP Mike Pelfrey Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn-mlbn.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2011 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites Amazinz.com™

Aren't you setting up an unfair comparison here though? Lee has played a third of his games at 1B this year, and has that ridiculously short porch in left field while in Houston, he doesn't need to protect as much ground as Braun.

It's comforting to know an IGT when we're losing still feels the same after a stretch like this.

I'm a bit surprised they're leaving Estrada in. He's near 90 pitches isn't he?

McCalvy said on Twitter, last night I believe, that Lopez is pretty much a reserve at this point.

August 18 - 1:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/dodgers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpg 55-67 73-51 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/dodgers/kershaw-01.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/estrada-06.jpg Clayton Kershaw 14-5, 2.72 Kershaw has won six of his last seven starts, and gave up just one run in eight innings during his most recent outing, against Houston. Brewers vs. Kershaw Kershaw Game Log Marco Estrada 3-7, 4.46 Estrada will make his second start subbing for injured left-hander Chris Narveson. In his first start for Narveson, he allowed only one hit in five scoreless innings against the Pirates. He hopes to pitch deeper into the game this time. Dodgers vs. Estrada Estrada Game Log Starting Lineups Gwynn LF Sellers SS Ethier RF Kemp CF Rivera 1B Miles 3B Barajas C Carroll 2B Kershaw P Hart RF Hairston CF Braun LF Fielder 1B McGehee 3B Betancourt SS Lucroy C Wilson 2B Estrada P Media Coverage http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn-mlbn.jpg Brewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sites DodgerFan | Dodger Blue

August 17 - 7:10 P.M.http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/dodgers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpg55-6672-51Pitching Matchuphttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/dodgers/eovaldi-01.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/greinke-18.jpgNathan Eovaldi1-0, 1.64In his second career outing, Eovaldi threw six shutout innings against the hapless Astros on Friday. He will face a much stronger team this time in the Brewers. Brewers vs. Eovaldi Eovaldi Game Log Zack Greinke11-4, 4.08Greinke has been pitching outstanding since the All-Star Game, going 4-1 with a 1.56 ERA in six starts. The right-hander is 8-0 in 10 starts at Miller Park this year. Dodgers vs. Greinke Greinke Game Log Starting LineupsLF Tony Gwynn, Jr. 3B Casey Blake RF Andre Ethier CF Matt Kemp 2B Aaron Miles 1B James Loney C Dioner Navarro SS Justin Sellers RHP Nathan Eovaldi RF Corey Hart CF Nyjer Morgan LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder 3B Casey McGehee SS Yuniesky Betancourt 2B Jerry Hairston, Jr. C Jonathan Lucroy RHP Zack Greinke Media Coveragehttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpgBrewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan SitesDodgerFan | Dodger Blue

I was commenting at the game last night, how in years past we didn't have the pitching to pick us up when the offense went through a cold stretch, and this year we've had that, especially in the second half. You won't have all parts of your game working every night, but the last few days they've been doing it with pitching and defense and then being resilient in the clutch. That is the making of a good team, and it really feels like they've matured into a solid unit as the year went on. Hopefully that's not just a winning streak talking.