Eye Black

I was hoping they would at least take some hacks against Kimbrel in the 9th and now it’s on the verge of not even being a save situation.

Weeks? Try months. Since the end of May, Guerra has now given up 20 earned runs in his last 30.1 IP. He has also pitched 4 of the 5 past days which is not nearly the frequency he was being used at earlier in the season.

The trade deadline has come and gone and Junior Guerra appears to still be among the top options in crucial late inning situations. Not ideal, IMO.

Nice piece of hitting by Braun. Was important to get something across this inning.

If Brent Suter is able come back later this month to fill any type of meaningful role, whether it’s as an initial out-getter or long reliever, it is going to (hopefully) provide a much needed life preserver towards keeping this pitching staff afloat.

Gio González: Batter (Cubs) vs Pitching Stats Cole Hamels: Batter (Brewers) vs Pitching Stats

I’m not giving up by any means, and a eulogy at the beginning of August seems a little over-the-top. That being said, I’ll admit that to this point in the season this is the most frustrating Brewers team in terms of “expectation versus reality” that I can remember. I saw someone reference the collapse in 2014, but so much of that season was a nice surprise that I was able to keep things in perspective when they came back down to earth to match their true talent. Coming into this year the team seemingly had as much offensive talent as we’ve seen from top to bottom in the batting order during the Miller Park era. They have a player continuing right along on his MVP/superstar trajectory that is in the heart of the prime of his career. They have a rookie that appears like he’ll be a perennial 4+ WAR player. They signed free agents that were set to be big contributors on offense. They had returning sluggers that even with some regression were poised to provide plenty of thump in the lineup. They had a bullpen that successfully shortened so many games the year before. They also appeared to have created an advantage the year prior with the way they shifted defensively. They had a young core of pitchers that I was cautiously optimistic about, but was certainly among the bigger wild cards heading into the season. This team seemed to have moved past the “stars and scrubs” roster construction attributed to them during the first half of the decade. Yet here we are with a team that can’t find any type of consistency for long stretches. I obviously hope that the team’s fortunes turnaround over the next 60 days, but I also hope the front office uses the period from now to the end of the season to do a lot of evaluation regarding the future. I am hoping they can self diagnose many of the internal flaws and identify solutions. This upcoming off-season will be a critical one for determining if this team is going to build a World Series contending roster over the next 3 years (“the Yelich years”). I believe they have a strong enough core to build around, but they are going to need both acumen and a little luck to accomplish their ultimate goal.

Zach Davies: Batter (Cubs) vs Pitching Stats José Quintana: Batter (Brewers) vs Pitching Stats

This one hurts.

Seeing Yelich's comments before the deadline about how last season the team saw firsthand how important mid-season acquisitions can be towards late season success, and now watching them throw Guerra and Hader on the mound for three days in a row is really disheartening. I am trying to stay positive, but this bullpen needed to improve beyond the margins. If it would have cost too much, I understand that, but without true bullpen upgrades the remainder of the season has an ominous feel to it. How do we know since they haven’t pitched yet? I think you missed the point. It isn't that the guys they acquired can't be helpful (I am excited for Faria especially beyond this year), but only one is even on the current roster and he isn't being trusted over guys pitching for a third consecutive day (or even Jackson for that matter).

Seeing Yelich's comments before the deadline about how last season the team saw firsthand how important mid-season acquisitions can be towards late season success, and now watching them throw Guerra and Hader on the mound for three days in a row is really disheartening. I am trying to stay positive, but this bullpen needed to improve beyond the margins. If it would have cost too much, I understand that, but without true bullpen upgrades the remainder of the season has an ominous feel to it.

Yeah, lots of missed opportunities on offense today as well. Unless they have a great comeback tin the 9th inning this one is going to hurt heading into a weekend at Wrigley. These west coast series at the Angels, Giants, Padres, and now A's have really been particularly frustrating. The only west coast series they've won is versus the Dodgers.

He has pitched 3 times in 4 days before (few times), but doesn't appear he has ever done three consecutive days since entering the majors.

They are all important, but winning this game (and series) post trade deadline feels extra important from a morale standpoint.

Junior Guerra pitching for a third straight day in Oakland in a 2-run game does seem like a big risk.

Jacob Barnes designated for assignment.

Saladino and T Williams optioned to make room for Grisham and Pomeranz. Still waiting on the corresponding 40-man move for Grisham. Jacob Barnes has been designated for assignment.

The good news is, at least on this board, I haven’t seen that expectation whatsoever. The thing Grisham has done at every level throughout his entire career is get on base. Even if he doesn’t light the world on fire with his bat this season, having a hitter in this lineup that can get on base at a .350+ clip would be very useful.

Happy Trent Grisham Debut Day!

[pre]Brewers Lineup Athletics Lineup 1. Yasmani Grandal (S) C 1. Marcus Semien ® SS 2. Christian Yelich (L) RF 2. Robbie Grossman (S) LF 3. Keston Hiura ® 2B 3. Matt Chapman ® 3B 4. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B 4. Matt Olson (L) 1B 5. Ryan Braun ® LF 5. Khris Davis ® DH 6. Eric Thames (L) DH 6. Mark Canha ® CF 7. Travis Shaw (L) 1B 7. Jurickson Profar (S) 2B 8. Orlando Arcia ® SS 8. Chad Pinder ® RF 9. Trent Grisham (L) CF 9. Beau Taylor (L) C[/pre] Chase Anderson: Batter (A’s) vs Pitching Stats Homer Bailey: Batter (Brewers) vs Pitching Stats

I plan to place Valerio in the 20 to 25 range as well. While I get he is undersized and unlikely to develop much power, he has shown the ability to put the bat on the ball thus far. An 18 year old who is stateside for the first time with a .381 OBP and 9% strikeout rate is at least encouraging.

Was hoping we would avoid any baserunners. Finish this one out here Josh! Edit: Ballgame!

Guerra facing Chapman, Olson, Davis is worrisome.