tmwiese55

I really struggle to put that much stock in such small sample. Guerra will have pitched like 3 innings in the last 6 weeks after collapsing for two months and now we're going to put him in the biggest game of the year because of 3 games that probably happened 4 months ago. I'm skeptical.

I agree that you just go your normal route of starting either Chacin/Miley, or whichever starter you prefer based on the other teams hitters, and then yank early if needed and go to the pen. Basically what they've been doing all year. What has Chacin had, like 2 blow up starts since mid April? Miley with none so far. If you get through 5 innings with 1-2 runs out of them you should be set up really well

I believe when this has been discussed in the past it was pointed out that Madison would need to build a new stadium since the Mallards one isn't big enough. I know they did some renovations to their park but I still doubt they increased the capacity much. The thought was to build the park more in the Verona through McFarland areas so you're around a wealthier area and more centralized, plus there is open space. So basically it would take a significant financial investment from someone to make this happen. I'd be all for it of course but I strongly doubt it's really even being looked into.

So in just one night as an example: Cubs get 1 hit 9-0 and Astros get 5 hit shutout. Sox blown out. I don't think anyone is now saying they blow and aren't contenders. This stuff happens in baseball.

[sarcasm]I guess we're WS contenders again haha[/sarcasm]

So many lefties in this lineup though that hader makes sense if you're only up 4-5. Yea up several more then whoever needs work

No way on albers until the 9th with more than at least a 6 run lead, maybe even more

Left R Switch to start next inning then the P spot and hamilton. I'm guessing they're going with Hader if they got him up (assuming no runs). But I'd give it a shot with Gio. See if you can save a guy or two, but I know they're all fresh with the virtual days off the last two days for the good Ps and an off day tomorrow. maybe save hader for the next inning with Schedler and Votto

[sarcasm]Don't wanna get hot too soon[/sarcasm]

And that's just to get back to last year's numbers which were merely just meh anyway. The drop off from 2016 is the real story. He was legit really good that year. Now it's two years of going well he still generally looks good and he keeps hitting the ball hard but the results aren't there. Plus the injuries each year. I know this doesn't jive with his OBP this year, but due to his dropping power at his age I'd be curious if having him bat 1st or 2nd and tell him don't worry about driving runs in, emphasize taking walks and plate discipline. Kind of trying to turn him into a line drive type hitter. I wonder if that would help a bit. Target kind of being a Cain type but less speed of course. Maybe not, maybe he's already taking that approach and this is the results.

"Kratz good at blocking pitches" - couldn't help but chuckle on that

Just like last season, after the year we'll probably hear about some injury that led to him slowing down the last couple weeks after being so good for 6ish weeks before. Rinse/repeat. If they can get the #1 WC while getting him and Jesus rebooted for the playoffs that would be great. At least this year they have the depth/luxury of him not playing through it (assuming an injury is the case), unlike last year where he forced it and did poorly.

Yup, get this one and you're up 3 with 9 to go. Very tough to mess that up.

Wouldn't "excepting" a job be when you have too many job offers on the table so you start declining some of them? I suppose it could be. But in this context the person was accepting a job. As in, he was agreeing to do a job.

Spot on! If the Cardinals lose today, it would make it pretty difficult for the Brewers not to have a playoff spot. But why should we settle for backing into the #2 seed? This team has shown this year that, when focused, they are a top 2 or 3 team in the NL. If they are forced to go on the road for a play-in game, or completely fall apart and not make it entirely, you bet this fan base is gonna be upset, and rightfully so. This team has been neck and neck with the Dodgers and Cubs this year record wise, and to scuttle that now while those teams close out the year on a tear would be extremely frustrating. You play all these games in the regular season to get to the point where the Brewers are at, where their destiny is right in front of them. The fan base here? Sure. The fan base in general? I doubt it, they'll just move on to giving their full attention to the Packers. The bar is very low for vast majority of Brewer fans, in my opinion. They don't have huge expectations only to see them crushed. That's why so many games were sell-outs (or close sell outs) during June-Aug, and here we are in a pennant race and a ton of empty seats all week. Casual fans go to group outings during the summer, maybe even on their own to tailgate and get a bobble head or something. Point being, I don't see a big fan backlash at the gate next year if the worst happens and they don't make the playoffs this year. It will be nuts here, nuts on talk radio, but most fans will shrug their shoulders with a "that's my Brewers" and move on. I generally agree with that notion among the general public. The summer games are a social event for most folks, just have to not be awful and they'll generally do ok at the gate. And no signs here that they're gonna be awful anytime soon unless we're looking at 5 game samples.

Sorry I do not think it is ridiculous to say "just chill and not overreact and read too much into small samples". That should basically be rule #1 of following baseball and the biggest lesson learned in the 100+ years of this sport. I fully get why MKE sports fans are bread to be pessimistic after the last 30 years here but that's why you just have to take a deep breath and think bigger pic and remember (like in roulette) each year is different. What happened in the late 90s or even the last major collapse in 2015 I think has nothing to do with the current guys on the field since Braun is probably the only guy left from that team. It's basically just trying to remember to think bigger pic and not everything is doom and gloom. And just that losing games to crap teams happens in baseball all the time, even the very best teams lost to the worst teams, it's not just the Brewers. I just don't know how that's ridiculous.

I don't think anyone was saying it's ok or a good thing to lose those games. We're just saying it's not an indictment on the team or that they're now awful chokers. go back and read some of the pessimistic posts, that sentiment is there. We're saying to not overreact as it's baseball, even the worst team vs the best is gonna win 3-4 out of 10 and usually gets 1/3.

I noticed one a few weeks ago that surprised me. In a work email someone was "excepting" a job rather than "accepting". As an example of how hard this is to mess up, it tried to autocorrect me right now in this board. Glad to see the Cards going down so far today. If they lose and we win tonight it will be very very difficult to lost that 1 WC. Also, I'm in fantasy championship and have some ATL hitters and the other guy had the STL starter, so that's a bonus.

I agree it was disappointing to get so close to the division but then have it slip away just a few days later. But when it comes down to it, Cubs just keep on winning so even if we'd have won one more vs Pit like we should have we'd still be on the outside looking in. Basically, just saying the Cubs haven't left the door open anyway (at least yet)

Exactly. I know we're all predetermined to be pessimists with how the Brewers have been the last 30ish years, plus with many of us being Bucks fans too, but this is just the nature of baseball. We were the hottest team in the league like 5 days ago but now you lose a few close games and they're done. Would really like the W tonight just due to the mathematical advantage it gives, not out of any kind of grand indictment on how the team is, clutchness, choking, etc.

I think Braun did it both years with clutch late season game winning ding dongs, but could be wrong.

It will still be very difficult to not make the playoffs. Losing the #1 WC though will be frustrating. I'd just say to everyone to relax, this is baseball and you lose games, the sky isn't falling. Just think, 24 hours ago everyone was jacked up and feeling good. and like 60 hours ago STL had lost three straight to LAD and they were supposedly done. If they win tonight everything is fine. Can't imagine the board meltdown if they lose tonight though.

Theoretically yes. But I'd guess Cain will finish something like 6th and I'd think that issue is more relevant when you have two of the top 3-4 guys. Like Boston and Cle have this year. Oddly though it kind of cancels each other out in that situation since they are the top 4 guys ( I think, I guess it's been a bit since I looked at that side).

Yea it would be a nice run if that were the case to be able to stick it to the top two rivals. And for me if they could beat Boston in the WS since I just hate them too. Risk/reward I guess as it also stings more if you lose to them. think how impressive what OAK's run would have to be. NYY in WC, Bos in ALDS, Houston/Cle in ALCS, whoever in WS but say it's big marget LA/CHI. Almost like what UW almost pulled off beating AZ, UNC, Kentucky, then almost Duke. 4 of the top 5 programs(only missing Kansas).

Their team is really good though, they should be better than that vs the others. Lindor and Ramirez top MVP level guys. Other solid hitters like Brantley and Encarnacion. A Cy Young level pitcher, maybe even two with what Bauer did this year before being hurt. Plus Clevinger and Carrasco. Their record should be so much better. I'd guess it was their bullpen letting them down a lot early in the year that killed their record.