tmwiese55

Well at this point it seems he was one needed to stay stretched out so the BP discussion is kind of moot other than proving that Peralta and Burnes are higher on their list. If it is the case that they don't think he's legit he probably should have been used in a trade while he still has some value, every day that goes on without him getting a chance reduces it. Although, of course there is value in him to MKE just as rotation depth as well even if they don't believe he'll ever be a legit starter type. I just don't see what's not to like, gets up to 99. Control and other stuff seems fine for a young guy and he didn't get rattled last year pitching during the stretch run. Obviously I don't know, but thinking positively maybe they had him kind of pegged as the next one up once Miley faltered or another injury happened but that hasn't been the case yet. Or if Peralta continues to be shaky Woodruff could have took his spot if Davies never came back. If I recall I think he had some minor injury around preseason that led to that Wilkerson start and maybe him missing his opportunity then.

Yes after his initial really ridiculous hot streak he really did start to show these issues at times in the second half of the year. This hasn't surprised me at all but hopefully they can fix it.

Best opening day I remember was 2012 because it was on a Friday, I think at 3 PM too instead of 1. Too bad they made this a 4 gamer to start instead of 3 or they could have repeated that one. I went back and looked and I was surprised to see we haven't played STL opening day since that 2012 game. According to the list I found we've lost 4 straight and 7 of the last 9. That definitely jives with my memory. [sarcasm]So not really excited that it's STL and almost a guaranteed loss.[/sarcasm]

With all the attention to OSU and MD, both MSU coaches are just somehow flying under the radar with everything they've covered up. IMO, what they've done is much worse than what Meyer has done. Yet no one is talking about them.

Woodruff has more than held his own when giving a chance and he's like 25ish already. He shouldn't be two years away. I hope for a lot of starts next year from him and hopefully he holds up. Very similar to Jimmy in my opinion but the difference is that when Jimmy came up we weren't trying to win so they could just let him go through the growing pains but they can't do that with Woodruff.

You guys are right in that you don't have the 'what if' stuff going on afterwards so I totally see where you're coming from. I guess to me it was just embarrassing and deflating to be out of the game within the first 5 mins, I'd rather have the entertainment of the whole game and a chance at the end. This might be skewed a bit because I was there in person for 59-0, well I guess I'm there for almost every football game even the close losses. Also might be a bit skewed by 59-0, as opposed to just a solid 27-13 type loss where you lose without drama but not embarrassed, that would be a bit different I suppose. Or if you can think back to game 6 vs the Cards in 2011. Home game and if you win you get a home game in game 7. Instead you get just pasted and have no shot, I'd have much rather been down one in the bottom of the 9th with a chance.

Agree, in spite of barely missing last year it was better than being out of it by now. I went to several of those Cubs at MKE games near the end of the year. It was basically a playoff atmosphere, folks weren't just there to drink and bs with others. Especially with every game so close and down to the wire, it was edge of the seat intensity all game. Of course it sucked that we lost the majority of them in some kind of odd way, but as a sports fan that type of competition is what it's all about. ETA: another example I thought of, as UW fans we're used to to losing big football games in some close ways for years. My friends and I used to say man wouldn't it be better if we just lost soundly so it's not some painful end of the game way. And then the OSU 59-0 happened and we realized we were way wrong.

Zimmerman has been bad for a few years now. A good stretch shouldn't make one totally forget that. No way we take on that contract, no way

Now lets go Tigers. oh wait, we shouldn't be rooting for the Cubs to lose...

Jeffress is the real MVP

Braun's not a massive liability on D like a Thames. Might as well keep him in there in case he gets another AB. You're only up 2. Braun's first 2ish weeks he was chasing the low outside slider like crazy. really seems normal after to me. One odd thing I've though is a few too many jam shots off his hands for weak grounders to 3b, and several on first pitches. Could be more patient on those

Braun looks so good right now. Should be out there every day these days other than the normal maintenance schedule and keep moving him back up in the lineup. I've been intrigued by him in the 1 or 2 hole for a while since he's not nearly the power threat he was, and tell him no pressure to drive in, take your walks if they are there.

That was a terrible challenge. Can't believe they bothered with it. There's a logic in getting to 3rd so you can get sacrificed, but with 0 outs and top of the order, it's just not worth it there unless you're a lock to make it. Hell of a pick out of the dirt to make that throw by the C. IDK, maybe Yelich knew what pitch was coming

Yup sure is, and our big IF is that our young pitchers have to pan out. Plus one of our near MVP level guys in Cain should regress from here. Their two are right in their prime.

That is four hitters...nice, but not a powerhouse core. Heck that core isn't even helping their offense be great right now. They just went and got another hitter because they have struggled offensively. Darvish just ended a terrible year with an injury, Lester is getting really old, Hendricks doesn't appear to be super special anymore, Jose Quintana doesn't seem to be the ace the were hoping for...quite far from it. Their rotation is an ticking time bomb, ready to blow up. Next year it will technically be led by 35 year old Jon Lester. I am waiting for a 2018 Nationals type disappointment in the next few years. I get that but it's just a building block to go from that is darn solid. It'll be very hard for them not be above .500 with that core to start from when factoring in their financial resources. That's all I'm saying. And beyond those four you have Schwarber who improved a lot this year and is competent, Russell is a solid player, the new CF Alamora or whatever is fine, Happ is solid. All these guys are young and controlled for several years. And they have the money to keep them, unlike MKE who had ticking clock on Fielder the whole time. And note that Bryant has been hurt all year. You're spot on that P is their issue from here out. Especially after Darvish looks like a sunk cost and the other FA this year has been bad, but I'd guess they at least get something out of Yu in the next few years. I think I noted that in the original that they have to hit on their next couple P moves. Lester is still good but aging and Quintana seems just mediocre at this point. Again this is where the $$ comes in, they'll keep doing something every to fix it and once Lester's contract is up there is more money. But yes they can't miss again or they're in a bad spot in regards to pitching. To CHL comparing to old MKE. That is very accurate. Again, they have the $$ to fix this pitching where as MKE did not. Will they blow the moves or not, that's the question. I totally agree with the overall theme that their moves the last two years have turned them from what should have been a juggernaut mega team for several years into a ok/good team that is very beatable. I'm just saying in the next 5 years there's really no reason they should have a losing season, that's it. Also, not of this to say we can't win in the next few years. Just that if I was forced to bet I'd go Cubs.

I think I saw that we play at LAA and LAD back to back and it's in mid April. So could be a good time for a road trip to LA for folks since it's still blah weather here, get a chance to see both stadiums and one of the best players ever.

Couldn't watch last night but didn't Thames have an error that cost them runs? I don't know how egregious it was but someone feel free to describe it.

Frankly, where someone hits in the lineup is way overrated as a factor to anything. I believe this has all been supported by math over the years too. It's fun to talk and BS about but when it comes down to it's a one on one battle with P no matter where you hit. Now, putting them in a spot to get the most bang for you buck so to speak is legit. Another thing legit in the discussion to slight degree is protection and who hits in front of you (ie can't pitch around Braun with Fielder on deck, can't pitch around the guy after Trout because Trout is on base 50% of the time, etc), but essentially ends up evened out to a degree because everyone tries to clump their best hitters together.

Broxton is down today for Albers. Good guess on Peralta though, especially if he's shaky again today. Off days tomorrow and Monday to easily skip him until Sept 1.

If Burnes or someone else doesn't have to eat a multi inning spot think there's any chance Knebel is the one down for Soria? According to the OP here he has an option and this wouldn't burn his last one. Let him get 2-3 outing in the minors and hopefully get right for September

Right, Votto on the DL. Debatable I suppose Scooter vs Suarez.

You simply just have to win a game like this vs a crap pitcher and the other team not playing their two best hitters. Just get it done.

The Cubs have made mistakes but with Rizzo/Bryan/Baez/Contreras effectively controlled for years and in their prime there is no reason the Cubs won't be a contender for the next 5 years. They'll have to keep paying for pitching and not strike out on their next P moves but they're not close to all of a sudden having a 3-4 stretch below .500. Once those guys exit their prime, get hurt, etc that's different. Now, looking at the Brewers set up they should be a .500+ team the next five years as well but it's impossible to predict beyond that so I have no idea. But given their higher level stars controlled in their prime combined with financial advantages I'd guess the Cubs are better set up and more likely to win divisions/titles than us. That said, I generally agree with the theme that just blowing money is not the winning strategy it used to be. Of course the Red Sox, Yanks, and LAD make the playoffs more than anyone else and their payroll allows more consistency but it's really tough to build powerhouses by just buying 31 yr olds and overpaying them. Essentially I think that lesson has been learned by everyone as evidenced by last offseason. That includes the big markets, now that they also know it's dumb they're going to be smarter with their money and prospects going forward. And this specific move cost them literally nothing for the future, just a bit of money which they have plenty of.

Wow. Hader pitched the last two games, clearly that's why he wasn't available. While I generally lean towards letting a guy finish an inning when he easily gets the first two, especially in a tie game when you might need to preserve your arms (and in this case Hader unavailable and possibly JJ). You simply can't argue with the math on going with Jennings vs Scooter though and call CC an idiot for it. It was completely sound logic and supported by the stats, it just didn't work out.

If the Cubs lose 3 other games before that to allow us to tie them then we only have to win 2/3 to take the lead and if we sweep them we have a 3 game lead instead of just being tied. Therefore, how they do in other games matters.