SoCal Brew Crew Fan

I think there are similarities with our team. They are free swingers and not that great of a defensive team. They have plenty of holes in their rotation with an ace on top and some soft-tossers to round it out. Their bullpen is solid...with Lidge...no real comparison there with him, but the rest of the pen is comparable. The differences are...they are better. Their lineup mixes righties and lefties better and has more experience. Rollins makes a big difference at the top. Lidge...big difference. I guess I just see some similarities between the two.

This Cubs/Dodgers series has been flat out shocking. I feel bad about us...but in reality, we'll all look back on this season with pleasure. The Cubs fans are in shock...this hasn't even been close. At least we get to come home to be buried...this series is unlikely to make it back to Chicago. I haven't seen the Cubs play this bad all year. They have probably been out over their ski tips at the plate for most of the season...but their defense has been fairly reliable. They really look like the Brewers out there...maybe there is something in our clubhouse that turns a fielder's glove into lead.

C'mon Brewers...Moyer is older than I am for gosh sakes...pound this guy!!!

Very small chance...I'm just pulling for a win tomorrow and we'll see where it goes. The Phillies seem to be a lot like the Brewers in many ways...just a little better.

I'll add... 8) Coaching - I'm glad they moved on from Ned. 14 games is too short to judge Sveum. In the end, I don't think coaching is the major issue. We have guys that are undisciplined at the plate and for the most part...that is unlikely to change.

A number of solid points made that I agree with...great stats Ennder on this thread and the PECOTA thread. 1) I think the key is balance. We need to trade some SLG for some OBP. Some righty for lefty. My bet here is that optimizes run production for a given OPS. I can't statistically back that, but it seems somewhat rational. 2) JohnBriggs makes a great point on Fielder...the lack of balance and another legit lefty in the lineup makes it easier to pitch around him. Fielder is a premier talent and shows more plate discipline than most of the team...but from watching the games, it seemed he was getting pitched around. 3) Hall is flat out killing us. At this point we need to find a home for Bill...may I suggest somewhere other than Milwaukee. 2 years is enough evidence for me. Trade, FA or even Gamel (although I'd rather see a full year at AAA)...anything but Hall. Great guy...we'll always have Mother's Day...but it's time to move on. 4) I'm not ready to give up on Weeks or Hart. Weeks has shown enough flashes that may be suckering me in...but I'm willing to go another year. If we can just get his OBP in that 380+ range, I think he's good to go. For Hart...it was one bad half...and a very bad one at that. I'm not willing to give up here either. 5) Cameron - Despite the last two games, Mike has been great in CF and been productive at the plate. My guess is he warrants the money for another year, but does he really bring the balance to the lineup? We could use a legit leadoff hitter...Mike is not that guy. To change the OBP mix of the club, it may take more than just replacing Hall. 6) Do not trade Hardy...the guy has a great glove and has been very solid at the plate. His only struggles came when he was hurt. Maybe he moves to 2B or 3B at some point, but keep him for sure. Braun, Fielder and Hardy are the cornerstones of this team and have all proven to be completely legit...I'd like to see Hardy and Fielder locked up for the Braun era during the off-season. 7) Play for 2010. That may mean making a move or two that steps us back at a position that would get us legit in 2010. I would not include Gamel or Escobar since they may be a few years away from playoff-caliber productivity. That could mean by-passing Cameron and definetly means biting the bullet on Hall.

That's funny...now if we can just get the "W" all will be good!!!

I'm going glass half full tonight...no doubt it's a must-win if the Brewers plan on winning the series. They must win both CC starts and swipe one in Milwaukee...probably game three versus four with Hamels. Myers has been vulnerable lately and tonights lineup with Durham & Counsell have put better ABs on recently versus Hall & Weeks. While they may be equal over a longer period of time, their fielding has been better under the bright lights of a pennant race. I didn't see much out of the Phillies at the plate last night either...they capitalized on our mistakes. It was like watching us versus the Pirates...put the ball in play and wait for them to screw up. We should be better tonight. First game jitters are gone, CC is on the hill and the bats look a little better than they did two weeks ago. I say we win this one.

Doesn't bother me at all... http://www.milwaukeebraves.info/images/bushvillewins.jpg

I mentioned this in another thread...I was at an Angel game out here about 10 years ago. The Phillie Phanatic was there for some reason. He wound up in my section and sat on my lap. The guy was as stinky and sticky as you can imagine so I was not pleased. It was like he hadn't washed his costume since he was doused in beer at the last 100 Phillies games. I wound up shoving him off of me and uttered a few profanities...which always goes over well at the family friendly Disney atmosphere of the Big A. Not a good scene.

Anyone else feel that Sveum is doing a solid job. Lefties against lefties, righties against righties, a double switch...not exactly rocket science yet somewhat refreshing to see.

Great attitude Pedro!!! Brewers playoff baseball...I'm so glad those words are all in the same sentence. This is such a Yostian comment that will probably p.o. most of you but here it goes...sometimes you just have to tip your cap. Hamels was brilliant today. He barely made a mistake all game and he was nailing the black. Unlike many of you, I had no problem with the strike zone today. The guy was on. That being said, our pitching was terrific as well and it made me feel good that these guys can be stopped. Our cautious approach to Howard was great...much like the Brewers, they've got a lineup of free swingers and our pitchers took advantage. Villy was flat out dominant. It was also nice to see Parra have another good outing. Yo was solid if not for... Our D, sigh...Hall and Rickie on the first play, what can you say? These guys have botched so many easy plays its mindboggling. Weeks is just a hack out there. It's really disappointing. Cam's play...uggh, the guy is really a great fielder and has made a number of plays that our last few CF's would not have made...but he's had a few misplayed balls in key situations this year...I just don't get it. Bad timing I guess. Our approach at the plate. I know we were shut down by Hamels, but we've got some guys that are putting together some better ABs. Durham, Braun and even Fielder's K were really good ABs against Lidge. Hardy's walk as well. Corey even had a hit today. Call me crazy, but if we put these kind of ABs against their next two starters...we'll score some runs. CC wins tomorrow (it's a must) and a big one in game 3 before we get Hamels again in Game 4. If we can win CC's starts and steal another at the Keg...we're moving on. Keep the faith!!! It's not over 'til we say it's over!!!

Much like pitchleague, I have to sign off...I'm TiVoing and can't watch for another hour and a half. Congratulations to all the long-suffering Brewers fans...enjoy the day...and may there be plenty to follow!!! BTW, Kurkjian is crazy...if it goes 5, there is no way CC gets beat.

Benadryl...the official child-friendly antihistamine of Brewers fans everywhere.

That's my vote too.

I need to shave for work, but I do have a Brewers t-shirt on underneath my suit and tie!!!

Sabathia will start 2 games. If he is as dominant as he's been and we can win one of the other 3, we can do this. None of the national press gives us much of a shot. I think they underestimate how good Gallardo really is.

1. Brewers - Please. 2. Phillies - I'll probably hate them if they beat us...but right now I have no animosity. Although the Phillie Phanatic sat on my lap at an Angel game once...he stunk and it really pissed me off. 3. Cubs - I seriously thought they'd be last because I can't stand their over rated fan base...but what the heck, just get it over with. 4. Angels - I like the team and I actually like their mellow fans. They've already won one, so they drop. 5. Rays - The Rays are a great story and a great young fun team, but much like the Marlins...why waste a WS on fans that don't care? 6. Dodgers - Wow, now that you have a "star" in Manny you are paying attention...LAME!!! When you traded the Italian-American Superstar you lost me. Just look at the traffic jam outside the stadium when Gibson hit his homer...LAME!!! (Obviously I have some issues here living in LA) 7. Sox - Red - Enough already. 8. Sox - White - I put them here for the safety of the people of the south side of Chicago. Despite putting the Cubs third, I would take pleasure in them losing...not just in losing, but doing it in an excrutiating fashion where it has a name attached to it...like "The Bartman" or "The Goat"...something Brant Brown-esque.

I would think he'd still get arby. The question is will anyone still sign him. He may be looking at a much lower deal...especially in length. In that case, he might be better off accepting arby or signing a 1 year deal with the Brewers and improving his worth for the next contract. I'd love to keep him for another year...the upside is huge if he stays healthy. He would once again be pitching for a contract.

TLB & SeriesFinale...we've got to make sure a DVR is on your holiday gift wish list!!! It's the only way to survive the busy life of a west coast Brewers fan!!!

Could Brad Nelson be the left handed 2008 version of Mark Brouhard?

Maybe someone else posted this, but TH mentioned in his blog that Sheets' MRI confirmed a muscle tear and he will be out the entire post-season. He may not pitch in the post-season...but maybe last Saturday wasn't his last in a Brewer uniform?

Does the roster change after each series? If Kapler or Sheets are healthy at some point can the replace Nelson?

How about his own personal Harley model...made out of the melted Fonzie statue.

Game is on at noon out here...I can't leave until 1...I'll DVR it and zip through the commercials and hopefully catch up by the end. Not ideal, but it's the best I can do. My daughter's scocer practice is on Thursday...same thing so it's DVR time. The biggest bummer is having to avoid the brewerfan IGT since I'm delayed.