MkeSouthSide

One-batter opener strategy? If so, I love it.

Waiting for this game has been the pits. Here's hoping the Crew wins this series in 7 games just so the layoff before the world series isn't so long.

Are MLB Network games available to MLB.tv subscribers?

Looks like someone (my brother-in-law) is trying to help poor ol' Cole Hamels get to a playoff game for a non-rival. Spoiler alert: the money raised actually goes to the Brewers Community Foundation, not Hamels.

Per Fangraphs' advance fielding stats, the Crew has the 3rd best defense in the majors this year. That suffers a bit without Cain, but for the most part it passes the eye test I'd say.

Fangraphs has him at #21 in their midseason update. But then again, they were high on him pre-season at #24.

Did BA just refer to Suter as the "Raptor"? I haven't heard him called that before, but I can see how it fits.

Arenado is really giving the spring training effort out there today.

Suter is gonna need every little advantage he can get given that he's not gonna miss bats. Improved defense and a good pickoff move will help. I am becoming resigned to the likely situation that the crew is not gonna add another SP. At least Suter games should be lively.

Yup gonna watch the first few innings most likely. With his really quick pace, Brent Suter is the best pitcher to watch in a Spring Training game.

I must have missed it - what is that on the brewers' hats today?

Lynn hasn't pitched 200 innings since 2014. He's only done it twice in his career. Declining K rate, wrong side of 30, and with he declined the QO so we'd lose a pick. Pass.

Betances is said to be on the outs in New York. He lost control and fizzled down the stretch, but it might be worthwhile to try to buy low on him. The Yankees are building for the present, so they wouldn't want a guy from the minors. I'm thinking maybe a swap involving Villar would be good - both players could use a change of scenery and both teams can buy low.

From Fangraphs Prospect Chat today, with Eric Longenhagen:

Couldn't find any thread dedicated to Hader to put this in, so I thought I'd throw it in here since his performance has been a great source of optimism in 2017. Here is a good read with Hader getting some national baseball nerd love for his ability to generate swings and misses. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/batting-against-josh-hader-seems-terrible/