liveforoctober

The poetic justice of this game… the Cubs cancelling the other one “due to weather” to save their bullpen, making the Brewers travel down here for one game, etc… Now let’s plaster them 20-0 and ruin their bullpen for the Pittsburgh series.

This poor dude's ERA...

How many of those outs at home have been contact plays with a man on 3rd? I feel like we have had more than a couple lately...

I kind of agree. This feels like a boxing weigh in to me. One underdog fighter who people are starting to believe has a chance and the favorite who is starting to get a little annoyed of the pesty underdog. This is the hype fest before the fight (second half). This game has a little September feel to it to me.

Generally speaking I agree with you but “know the situation” has the extra component of who is throwing from the outfield. In yesterday’s example, Seth Smith is in left field and the message from Counsell may very well have been “Make Seth Smith throw us out”. If Braun rounding 3rd there is a 50/50 play at home as a base … if having Seth Smith in LF makes it a 70/30 play in our favor is it ever wrong to send him? If Villar is on 1st with nobody out and there is a single to left center that Smith picks up and Villar calculates it is 70/30 to get to 3rd with Seth Smith throwing .. is it ever wrong to go given the prior context? Offensive vs. defensive mindset. I’m not saying one is better than the other. Just adding to the discussion.

Is there a way to see how many times the Brewers have made an out at home after a hit?

I don’t think you meant this as a slight… but it kind of sounds like you are suggesting to those that do this that it is a juvenile behavior and that is dangerous territory. Are we telling me people how to enjoy games now? I am absolutely a ballpark roamer when I go to games. Part of the fun of it for my brother and I is to get a 360 view of the field throughout the day. Even though I’ve been to Miller Park countless numbers of times, I still like watching from behind the plate as well as down the lines and into the outfield bleachers. I love the different views. It doesn’t make sense for me, on any level, to buy a $40+ ticket if I am going to be wandering around AND then there is an empty seat closer to the field and that isn’t a good look either for the team. If I lived closer to Milwaukee I’d be all over this deal. For me it isn’t about being cheap and trying to get free upgrades … it is simply getting into the atmosphere at a price that is reasonable for someone who is there to take in the entire ballpark. I’m still patronizing the concession stands like you and, most importantly, I’m cheering for the correct team. There is room in the stadium for all personalities, I wouldn’t talk down to any of them, we are all putting money into the same pot. With that said, If I do sit down for an inning or more in a different section I am cognizant of where I am and like someone else said I’m not going to take the best seats that are there out of respect for who paid for them. Likewise, I will have waited for a while to make sure they are empty seats and I’m very polite if someone ever does show that is supposed to be there. There are different ways to watch a game. I think this deal is just a tip of the cap to those of us who do it a bit differently. I don’t think it is meant as a slight to anyone else.

I kind of hope they just DL Sogard for 10 days. If he isn't going to start the next 4 games, bring up a healthy body for the DH situation so we have an extra guy that can start if needed. Sogard can go retroactive to yesterday... he would only miss this weekend's series and then maybe the first game back from break. Perez can back up the infield, Brinson/Phillips can back up the OF.

I don’t mean to beat a dead horse… But as much as Villar has struggled this year – he has been worse against lefties slashing .174/.260/.290. Arcia needs to be leading off and Perez needs to be playing 2nd against Aquino. We need Villar to come around .. but we need to win games too. Let’s sweep boys!

And just to build on this, I’m high on Aguilar myself but the addition of Vogt makes him a bit more expendable as Vogt can certainly spot start at 1B if Cooper can’t cut it.

Am I wrong for wanting Phillips over Brinson for the 3 game set simply because of the left handed bat? We will get Montgomery (LHP) in game 1 so I’m assuming Braun is the DH with Aguilar at 1st and Thames or Perez in LF. But then we get Severino in Game 2 and Tanaka in Game 3. I think I’d rather have Braun DH with Thames at first and Phillips in left for the final two, no?

Nice. Thanks for that tip. Can anyone else answer the instructor question? I’m curious. My cousin was drafted by the Padres this year and he is in their rookie league now (he actually faced Hiura last week) and he is working with Mark Prior down at the Padres’ facilities. That raised my eyebrows a bit because that isn’t a bad guy to be working with and I’m curious who the Brewers have down there working with their kids? Anyone?

When you say ‘work on his arm’ are you referring to rehabbing his injury or do you mean actually work on his defensive throwing ability? If the latter is the case, wouldn’t you want him with Erickson up in Appleton immediately? Also, forgive me for being naïve, do we know who our instructors/coaches are in rookie ball? Curious to know their backgrounds.

Early returns are probably as good as we could have hoped. Through his first 7 games he is 14-29 (.483) with a .529 OBP. 1 HR, 3 3b, 2 2b, 11 RBI, 1.391 OPS. Struck out 7 times, only 2 walks. If his bat is as advanced as reported … could he skip Helena and head straight to Appleton before the season is over? How much do we challenge him in his first half season with us? Matt Erickson was a middle infielder obviously and would be a great mentor for him defensively up in Appleton.

I'm not sure what we saw today was exceptional base running. He is out 95% of the time there in that rundown.

I guess I shall eat my words! Nice start, didn't see that comimg. Either did the Orioles apparently. It is hard, when you know you are getting a spot start, to get excited about someone who throws 87 with the wind at his back when you have young "unknown" options that you could turn to. You get a pass for not being excited ... but kudos to Suter for throwing strikes all day. Go Crew!

Fixed it for you.

I can't wait for the video of that one to come up on gamecast to find out what just happened...

Gamecast here. Ribs? Hand?

Dear teams, don't throw lefties against us. From, Milwaukee

injury delay. where did it hit him?

Let's bounce this guy in the 2nd and have their bullpen take up 7+ innings in game 1.

Miley is a LEFTY Wow. What an oversight. Villar and Aguilar make sense then. I need to erase the confusion from my brain. Good job Craig!

Sogard's last 15 games: .285 avg with a .375 OBP. The power has left and he actually hasn't driven in a run in that time (have no idea how many chances he had). Villar since his recall: .235 avg, 2 HRs, 3 RBI, .315 OBP Sogard IS currently in a 3 for 21 'skid' and I know the sentiment is to give Villar a chance to get back to last year's form, but I'm still of the opinion if the opposing starter is right handed we need to have the guy batting first who is going to get on base consistently and right now that guy is still Sogard. I really hope I'm wrong. Pulling for Villar to break through.

According the stats posted in the newest ESPN Power Rankings, the Brewers starting pitching staff was 4th in the major leagues is ERA (3.89) in June. Considering the struggles of Davies and Guerra - I think that number would surprise some.