SoCal Brew Crew Fan

It's funny that even when some of the Reds players went over the top with the Cardinals during their brawl my reaction was...good for them, the Cards are so annoying with their sanctimonious crap they deserve whatever they get. With Chicago we already had a built in city v. city rivalry through other sports...we don't really have that with the other cities in the division. The Cubs were easy to hate when we got to the NL...they are all Bears fans too. The Cards hate was truly earned from the ground up. Yeah there's the '82 series, but plenty of fans weren't even around for that. Their constant complaining and delusional hypocritical view of the world is just too much to take. They wrote the unwritten rules.

Well the SoCal Brew Crew Fan family couldn't keep it going last night and dropped to 1-1. Still always fun to be at the ballpark. After spending two nights there, I feel bad for Dodgers fans. You can just feel the cloud over the team. The McCourt situation (everyone wants them to just go away), the beating of the Giants fan, all the cops at the game (the cops are friendly, but there are so many there it's uncomfortable) and a low scoring boring team that's devoid of much personality. Granted it was a drizzly, cold Tuesday against the Brewers, but it was Clayton Kershaw bobblehead night and attendance was way down. It's really too bad...the team just hasn't been the same since the O'Malleys sold...but this is a new low. There were fewer Brewers fans last night versus Monday, although there were still a few there. Maybe it was because the Badger alums had a big group out there Monday. The game was the opposite of the night before...all came down to a couple plays, this time they went the Dodgers way...Kemp's ball got over the fence and Prince & Casey's didn't. I thought for sure Prince's was gone...he hit that thing a ton. That's a no-doubter at Miller Park. Kuroda was much sharper than Wolf. Wolf got through the game but really labored. I warned the people next to me about the constant visits to the mound with Lucroy catching...they were all Wolf fans from the Dodgers/SoCal days, but were booing him by the 3rd. Kuroda made some great pitches. Both guys got some help from a weird strike zone. We were right behind the plate and there were a couple punch outs on each side that were obvious balls. Like everyone else I was happy to see Gomez in the 8 hole. He really impressed me the last two games in the field...he covers a ton of ground. With 2 sub-par fielders next to him, he's a nice asset. He still has no plate discipline, but we all knew that. Now we just need to get rid of Yuni...that guy is awful.

Marcum has been sensational. The next best "acquisition" may have been bringing Marco Estrada back...he's been carrying Greinke's weight somewhat. An Honorable Mention to Nyjer Morgan who's been hurt too much but was a spark plug for awhile. I sure hope Greinke is on top of this list by year end.

Sun is out over the westside...looking much better for a brisk, but hopefully dry night at the ballpark.

I saw the guy with the T-Rats hat...he was a couple sections over. Nice hat. Plenty of Brewers fans there last night. It's raining in LA right now. That's about as rare as a walk to Yuni. Not hard enough to call the game, but it may be wet out there tonight. Also not hard enough to start demanding a roof for Dodger Stadium! One funny anecdote from last night...when Gomez was up with the bases loaded, this Dad says to his kid, "What do you think he does here?" Young kid answers "Home Run". I chime in that I think he strikes out on a pitch that bounces 10 feet in front of home plate. Of course he Ks on 3 straight...guy laughs and says..."You were wrong, it only bounced three feet in front of the plate."

Great night out at the ballpark. Plenty of kids in our section...and Brewers fans too. Including a couple kids wearing Brewers hats because they play in the same little league Ryan Braun played in. How cool is that...LA kids becoming Brewers fans. My daughter was fired up to win again, although she informs me she's now 4-1...I forgot she was at the loss to the Angels last year. My impressions: Shaun Marcum owns the black. So effortless. He makes guys look silly up there. We actually won a game with defense...that's a rarity. Gomez' catch vs. Carroll's miscue on Prince's smash was the difference. Corey had a nice play too...as did Gibbons in LF on Rickie's belt. Ryan Braun's enthusiasm is infectious. The guy is the mayor out here with everyone on the field before the game. The fist pump after Gomez' catch and the hustle double late...he is this generations' Robin Yount. Same with Rickie...I love those guys. Fun night...back at it tomorrow!

We got 2 tix behind home plate for about 1/3 of face. Tomorrow night is a little more...it's Clayton Kershaw bobblehead night. Rather have his bobble than have him pitching. It's chilly out here...not Wisconsin chilly, but cold for out here. The McCourt stuff, the Dodgers not playing well, the beating of the Giants fan...all not helping attendance out here. It's kind of sad...they actually have a great fan base out here, but it hasn't been the same since the O'Malleys sold the team.

Just getting ready to leave for the game. Monday night at Dodger Stadium vs. the Crew...pretty easy ticket to get out here. Last year they were able to win 2/3 vs. both the Dodgers and the Angels...hopefully we can keep the streak going! I'm taking my oldest daughter tonight...she has never seen the Brewers lose and Ryan Braun has had a extra base hit in all 4 games. The Badger alumni group will be out there as well...they have had some nice groups out there the last few years.

Tough to get a blood feud going with the Reds. It bugs the crap out of me we can't seem to beat them, but I can't muster up the hate. We have no real history with them, or with Cincinnati for that matter. Outside of Phillips, the players seem somewhat aloof and devoid of much personality. The Cards...1982 did it for me. A bunch of tomahawk hitters that just pounded the ball into the astroturf...yeah, I'm still bitter. Nowadays it's all the classy stuff with their hypocritical fans...they are insufferable. Drunken LaRussa, the roids, Yadi's big mouth, baseball Jesus...yet they preach from their mountain top anytime someone violates an unwritten rule or doesn't wear their cap right. Good lord, just shut up St. Louis. I've got some good old fashion hate for the Cubs too. Their loyal fans aren't as bad, but when you realize they are all Bears fans too...the hate pours out, but mostly it's the drunken frat boy attraction that tends to be the scourge of the land.

More good defense.

Epic at-bat here by Counsell...c'mon Craiger

He's good friends with Weeks. Since Rickie is a real team leader, Lopez may be more likely to stay in line if with us. He'd be an upgrade for sure.

What a meatball...uggh

Phew...now I can put the Cubs back on top of my most despised living creatures list.

Kotsay is awful, but less awful against RH. With Hart getting close to full strength and Mr. Tony Plush back on Tuesday, this long national nightmare will hopefully be over...although RRR loves grit as much as the next guy so who knows.

I think the ump was out of position since even he was surprised Gomez would do something that dumb. The throw was there...just aren't going to get that call. Thank you Prince...and this is the guy that usually struggles in April...meh...

Carlos is everything that Mets and Twins fans said he was...brilliant and bumbling, even in the same at bat.

The only way we go 21-8 is if Yuni wins Player of the Month...in the Independent League ;-)

I'll go 16-13. I figure they end April .500...get a little ahead in May...give it back in June with interleague and are .500 and 4 games back by then. If they are healthy and that close at that point, I think they win the division.

Where have you gone Yovani Gallardo? My goodness...ok, now I am worried.

The offseason weightlifting seems to have really helped his power numbers. He's bigger and stronger than last year which should reverse the steady power decline since his rookie season. The walks are really encouraging too...I've always felt he's just a notch on plate discipline below a HoF career...he may have entered that next level. He is one special hitter. My guess is he's top 5-10 in all categories, but I would agree he's unlikely to top any single category. Those batting stats still put him in the MVP race...and of course will win him a Gold Glove (heehee).

Trenni & Drew Olson (on twitter) both reporting sprained thumb and reevaluated tomorrow. EDIT: Adam McCalvy with the same, including quote from Casey: http://brewersbeat.mlblog...ained-thumb-for-mcgehee/

Votto could have easily just touched the inside of the bag and backed off, instead he puts himself in McGehee's path...Votto makes the bonehead play and the Brewers pay...nice. I'd put one in his ribcage tomorrow night.

I think I'm going to go save my arm for tomorrow...

This would be a good game for Counsell to throw an inning. Just need to save the pen for tomorrow and Wednesday at this point. Until we figure out the mystery of the Reds, it's going to be tough to win this division.