pretendastronaut

Coming into mid-June, I told numerous people who are more casual baseball fans, that the rest of the month would likely be miserable and to not get discouraged if things look awful as we go into July. I remind myself that, though I was hoping to not see things come off the rail this week. Cardinal fans and Reds fans have all complained just as much, have each had awful stretches, but all 3 teams will be hanging around for the division throughout the season. It's ugly, but it happens.

July 5 - 7:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/diamondbacks.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpg 46-40 45-41 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/diamondbacks/duke-01.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/wolf-18.jpg Zach Duke 1-3, 5.92 Duke is still trying to find his rhythm after missing the first two months due to a broken left hand. After tossing seven shutout innings in his first start, Duke is 0-3 with a 7.26 ERA. He did pitch a little better last time out against the Indians. Brewers vs. Duke Duke Game Log Randy Wolf 6-5, 3.33 Considering he needed 36 pitches for the first inning, and that the Brewers' bullpen was thin, Wolf's seven-inning start in New York was a disaster-avoider. He allowed four runs and lost for the first time since May 17. Diamondbacks vs. Wolf Wolf Game Log Starting Lineups SS Bloomquist 2B Johnson RF Upton CF Young C Montero 1B Nady LF Parra 3B Roberts LHP Duke 2B Weeks CF Gomez RF Hart 1B Fielder SS Betancourt 3B McGehee LF Wilson C Kottaras LHP 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 Dback Fans | Diamondbacks Bullpen

July 4 - 3:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/diamondbacks.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpg 45-40 45-40 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/diamondbacks/hudson-01.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/marcum-18.jpg Daniel Hudson 9-5, 3.49 Hudson pitched well enough to win his last time out as he allowed two runs over eight innings to the Indians, but had to settle for a no-decision after J.J. Putz blew the save. Hudson has not lost since May 12, a span of nine starts. Brewers vs. Hudson Hudson Game Log Shaun Marcum 7-3, 3.16 Marcum was burned by a four-run fourth inning in his loss to the Yankees on Wednesday, but at least he felt healthy. Marcum had pitched only four total innings in his previous two starts because of a left hip injury. Diamondbacks vs. Marcum Marcum Game Log Starting Lineups 2B Kelly Johnson SS Stephen Drew RF Justin Upton CF Chris Young C Miguel Montero 3B Sean Burroughs 1B Juan Miranda LF Gerardo Parra RHP Daniel Hudson 2B Rickie Weeks CF Nyjer Morgan RF Corey Hart 1B Prince Fielder SS Yuniesky Betancourt LF Mark Kotsay 3B Casey McGehee C Jonathan Lucroy RHP Shaun Marcum 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 Dback Fans | Diamondbacks Bullpen

July 03 - 1:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/twins.jpg 45-39 35-46 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/greinke-12.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/twins/blackburn-01.jpg Zack Greinke 7-3, 5.63 Greinke is coming off his shortest start in more than four years, a two-inning, seven-run dud at Yankee Stadium after which manager Ron Roenicke wondered whether Greinke lost focus in a mistake-filled first inning. Twins vs. Greinke Greinke Game Log Nick Blackburn 6-6, 3.64 Blackburn, who entered with a 2.35 ERA over 10 previous starts, allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits and a walk over just 4 1/3 innings vs. the Dodgers. He'll look to bounce back in the Twins' final Interleague game of the year. Brewers vs. Blackburn Blackburn Game Log Starting Lineups DH Weeks CF Morgan RF Hart 1B Fielder 3B Gamel SS Betancourt LF Kotsay C Lucroy 2B Counsell P Greinke CF Revere 2B Casilla C Mauer 2 RF Cuddyer DH Thome DH 3B Valencia SS Tosoni 1B Hughes SS Nishioka P Blackburn 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 battleyourtailoff.com

McCalvy tweeted that McGehee is getting a few days off. Also that he wad pretty down last night.

July 02 - 6:10 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/twins.jpg 44-39 35-45 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/narveson-17.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/twins/pavano-02.jpg Chris Narveson 5-5, 4.42 Narveson pitched 6 2/3 innings in each of his two previous outings, and the win against the Twins on Sunday improved him to 3-1 in June. The two earned runs surrendered were his lowest since he held the Cardinals scoreless on June 10. Twins vs. Narveson Narveson Game Log Carl Pavano 5-6, 4.24 Pavano gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings in his previous outing, with all the damage done by the Brewers in the fifth and sixth innings. He's 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA in 13 career appearances (10 starts) against the Brewers. Brewers vs. Pavano Pavano Game Log Starting Lineups 2B Weeks CF Morgan LF Braun 1B Fielder DH Gamel SS Betancourt RF Kotsay C Lucroy 3B Counsell P Narveson CF Revere 2B Casilla DH Mauer RF Cuddyer 3B Valencia 1B Hughes LF Repko C Butera SS Nishioka P Pavano 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 battleyourtailoff.com

Wow, I really didn't try to line up the starting pitcher pictures like that. It would look cool if Liriano's arm wasn't cut off.

July 01 - 9:10 P.M.?http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/twins.jpg32-4343-35Pitching Matchuphttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/gallardo-18.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/twins/liriano-02.jpgYovani Gallardo9-4, 3.92Gallardo returned to form as he picked up his second win of the month and was charged with just one earned run. He bounced back after a rough outing against the Rex Sox and will face the Twins once again in his next start. Twins vs. Gallardo Gallardo Game Log Francisco Liriano4-7, 4.98He looked good early in the game, but a five-run third that featured a two-run homer, four singles, two errors and a walk dealt Liriano a loss in his last start vs. the Brewers. Liriano is 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in five career starts against Milwaukee. Brewers vs. Liriano Liriano Game Log Starting Lineups2B WeeksCF GomezLF Braun1B FielderRF HartDH McGeheeSS Betancourt3B WilsonC LucroyP Gallardo CF Revere2B CasillaC MauerRF CuddyerDH Thome3B ValenciaLF Tosoni1B HughesSS NishiokaP Liriano Media Coveragehttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpgBrewerfan Game Chat MLB GameDay 2010 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates Fan Sitesbattleyourtailoff.com

June 30 - 12:05 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/yankees.jpg 44-37 47-31 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/wolf-17.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/yankees/sabathia-01.jpg Randy Wolf 6-4, 3.20 Since an 0-2 start, Wolf is 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 14 starts, nine of them team wins. The ERA would be lower if not for a three-batter run in the fifth inning Friday capped by a three-run Twins homer. Yankees vs. Wolf Wolf Game Log CC Sabathia 10-4, 3.25 Sabathia's eight-inning, one-run performance Saturday was his third straight win and seventh in his last eight starts. He tied Chien-Ming Wang as the fastest pitcher to reach 50 wins as a Yankee over the past 30 years. Brewers vs. Sabathia Sabathia Game Log Starting Lineups 2B Weeks CF Gomez LF Braun DH Fielder RF Hart 3B McGehee 1B Gamel SS Betancourt C Kottaras P Randy Wolf CF Gardner RF Swisher 1B Teixeira 2B Cano DH Posada LF Jones SS Nunez C Cervelli 3B Pena P CC Sabathia 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 NYY Fans | Yes Network Fan Forum

New lineup and I'm trying to will the frustration onto the Yankees today. Let's not embarrass ourselves today!

June 29 - 6:05 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/yankees.jpg 44-36 46-31 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/marcum-17.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/yankees/burnett-01.jpg Shaun Marcum 7-2, 2.95 Marcum lasted just three innings in his last outing while working his way back from a strained left hip flexor injury. He said the last outing was a step in the right direction and that he should be good to go. Yankees vs. Marcum Marcum Game Log A.J. Burnett 7-6, 4.15 Burnett's perplexing 2011 continued Friday against Colorado. He struck out four in one inning for the second time in his career, but gave up four runs in a loss, his third in his last four starts. Brewers vs. Burnett Burnett Game Log Starting Lineups 2B Weeks CF Morgan LF Braun 1B Fielder RF Hart DH Gamel 3B McGehee SS Betancourt C Lucroy P Shaun Marcum LF Gardner CF Granderson 1B Teixeira 3B Rodriguez 2B Cano RF Swisher DH Posada C Martin SS Nunez P A.J. Burnett 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 NYY Fans | Yes Network Fan Forum

In a 3 game set I don't think it really matters much about Game or Fielder at DH. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gamel get a day at 1B though.

For some reason I'm much more excited about this series than Boston or Tampa Bay. Let's hope it holds.

June 28 - 6:05 P.M. http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/yankees.jpg 44-35 45-31 Pitching Matchup http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/brewers/greinke-11.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/pitchers/yankees/garcia-01.jpg Zack Greinke 7-2, 4.77 Greinke is finding his rhythm again as he pitched seven innings and surrendered just one earned run. His fastball had more life and his changeup mixed up the opposition, helping him fan 10 batters for the second straight game. Yankees vs. Greinke Greinke Game Log Freddy Garcia 6-6, 3.30 Garcia tossed his third straight quality start -- and sixth in his last seven outings -- Wednesday at Cincinnati, allowing just two unearned runs and three hits over seven innings in a win. He is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA against Milwaukee. Brewers vs. Garcia Garcia Game Log Starting Lineups 2B Weeks CF Morgan LF Braun 1B Fielder 3B McGehee RF Hart DH Gamel SS Betancourt C Lucroy RHP Zack Greinke LF Gardner CF Granderson 1B Teixeira 3B Rodriguez 2B Cano RF Swisher DH Posada C Martin SS Nunez RHP Freddy Garcia 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 NYY Fans | Yes Network Fan Forum

Rickie is now leading Phillips by roughly 78,000. But I also just noticed, how the heck does Gomez have over 1 million votes and Hart doesn't? That's just embarrassing. (Edit: Maybe it's a typo? It's technically out of order.) With only days to go, tight races abound in NL Fielder-Votto, Weeks-Phillips, Tulo-Reyes, Holliday-Kemp all close

Hawkins hasn't pitched in 6 days and just threw 5 pitches. I'd argue he needs more work than Loe who pitched on Friday.

Gameday has them as both earned.

I would hope we keep Hawkins in for the 8th, but then again, his name isn't Loe.

They've had a brutal season though. How many names do you know from this lineup? Jason Kubel RF - Jun 26: 15-Day DL Delmon Young LF - Jun 25: 15-Day DL Kevin Slowey RP - Jun 25: 15-Day DL Denard Span CF - Jun 25: 7-Day DL Jim Thome DH - Jun 24: 15-Day DL Justin Morneau 1B - Jun 24: 15-Day DL Tsuyoshi Nishioka SS - Jun 24: Day-To-Day Joe Mauer C - Jun 24: Day-To-Day Joe Nathan RP - Jun 22: 15-Day DL

Didn't hear what Anderson said, was he just talking about Morgan rolling over Wilson on the final play?

Actually the wimpiest beer I've ever had, has to be Budweiser Select. That stuff is awful. Even still, it's like the Cubs putting out an advertising campaign saying, "Saving baseball fans from watching the Astros." Great, thanks for that.

Not baseball related: I don't understand Miller Lite's current advertising. I mean really, saving men from drinking "wimpy light beer"? Is there a beer that's a more wimpy beer than Miller Lite? What beer are they saving people from?

I'm going to re-thank Nyjer for that, for keeping the inning alive!

Thank you Plush!

Very quietly since his line went from .231/.290/.333 the game before the hit safely in 14 of 17 happened to .230/.283/.321 today. I didn't say it was a satisfying stretch! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif