naivin

"I don't think he got tired," said pitching coach Bill Castro. "I just think he had too much going on in his head." "I think I overanalyzed and tried to make too many adjustments, a lot of times, instead of just staying with what I do best," said Parra, "At times, I'm my own worst enemy. If I would have just stayed with what I was doing most of the time, I probably would have been fine. I kept feeling like, if I had one or two bad games, I had to make an adjustment." "He'll talk to three or four different guys and think about all that stuff instead of just concentrating on one thing," said Castro ..."His stuff is plenty good. He just needs to make things simple and just pitch, not worry so much." said Kendall. "He tends to over-think at times, which he doesn't need to do because he has such electric stuff." If those comments don't speak to his mental make-up/approach/development, what exactly do they speak to? BTW, I didn't say he was mentally weak (that's just what you read into the statement). I said the mental aspect of his game has not matched the physical. Do you really disagree with that?

Pujols got buzzed pretty good by McClung last night. I fully expect Braun to at least see a purpose pitch in the 1st (depending on the situation of course).

Including himself and his coach. I'm sure Ennder knows better though.

Well, there you have it. Parra's struggles have nothing to do with his mental make up or his mental approach...he's just bad. Thanks for clearing that up.

I am definitely expecting to see some extra curricular shenanigans today.

Depends on the individual team I suppose, but Parra and its probably not close. A 26 year old LHSP with electric stuff (even if he hasn't quite matched the mental aspect of the game with the physical) has far more value than a decent hitting, defensive middle infielder without power.

Well, may not speak to Macha specifically, but Fielder hit .228 last August and played every game. He DNP in only 3 games last year and has not had a day off yet this year. Braun hit .208 last September and played every game. He is a little bit different situation this year because he did miss two games due to injury...otherwise has played every game. So no, I don't think they would necessarily be given a day off. Kendall does sit 20% of the games this year (with the exception of when Rivera was hurt). I guess I'm not sure whey they are so insistent on him being in there every day, but right or wrong, I assume there is a reason.

Of course they do. There is no reason for Macha to say something that everyone already knows.

Neither are very good. That is correct, and that should come as a surprise to none. With a healthy Rickie Weeks and a Corey Hart that doesn't stink, its not really an issue. But, obviously here we are. Catcher is gonna be a weak spot. the key is gonna be to address 2B and RF.

Looking at the various Corey Hart, Jason Kendall threads, etc., it is starting to look more and more like the Brewers are going to have to look to the outside to address 2B. Given the current weaknesses elsewhere, the only real alternative seems to be Counsell playing pretty much everyday and batting lead off. Anyone like that idea?

I believe the Brewer face 4 more straight RHPs at Miller Park the next few days. I would take the opportunity to throw Gerut out there, in the lead off spot (Counsell second), and see what he can do. The way Hart is going, that would be giving up nothing, and could potentially find something.

I agree completely. The issue I see with it is who bats lead off in the RH line up. It would almost have to be Hart.

Is there a pitching related reason that he plays so much? i.e., the pitchers really want him in there?

1-4 last night with 2 more strikeouts, making him 2 of his last 14 with 8 strikeouts. Admitedly, Braun's wrist may play a role, but just as he had not hit Wainwright in his career, he is 1-11 lifetime against Wellemeyer (.167 OBP). So, the question is will Macha throw him out there again against another RHP for some inexplicable reason (assuming Braun plays), when he has two LH outfielders on the bench?

Beyond his extended struggles, Corey Hart is 1 of his last 6 with 5 strikeouts, and is 4-21 against Wainwright in his career (.190 OBP). With 2 LH hitting OFers available on the bench...why?

Gerut would be better defensively, and Catalanotto's performance the past couple seasons would seem to indicate he is not the hitter he once was. I think he is better suited for PH duty and Gerut for the 'regular' ABs.

With Catalanotto now on the bench, I would not hesitate to start Gerut against RHPs. He and Hart's respective numbers seem to support such a move.

So who gets drilled in the 1st inning tonight, Counsell, or will they wait until Braun comes up?

As wrong as those in Cardinal nation are in criticizing the Brewers untucking 'em, I have to say the premeditated nature of the run to the dugout kinda rubs me the wrong way. I understand it, but if there is nothing wrong with untucking your jerseys after a win, then you just keep doing it. Not sure there is really a need to send that additional message. I would argue doing so is in fact disrespectful, and unnecessary. I don't think its a big deal, but I just don't see what it accomplishes.

2B Craig Counsell SS JJ Hardy LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder CF Mike Cameron RF Corey Hart DH Mat Gamel 3B Casey McGehee C Jason Kendall LHP Manny Parra

Tonight provides a perfect example...its early, but LHers have been crushing Slowey thus far. Any reason not to go with something along the lines of... Gerut - RF Counsell - 2B/3B Braun - LF Fielder - 1B Cameron - CF Gamel - DH Hardy - SS McGeHee 2B/3B Kendall - C

Not sure how this turned into a discussion about Bill Hall's hustle or lack of hustle...the guy can't hit, and lately he doesn't catch or throw very well either. If he can't at least play decent defense, with very rare circumstantial exceptions, he should never face a RHP again.

There is nothing compelling about 2009 to suggest platooning Gerut with Hart/Braun or Cameron. First off, nobody said anything about Cameron or Braun (except you). Gerut has a .333 OPS at home so far. It could mean he is struggling, or perhaps his park is somehow hurting him. Gerut had a .789 OPS at home last year -- he has demonstrated the ability to hit in Petco in the past -- so I really don't think the Petco argument holds a lot of water. Well then, that actually strengthens the argument for Gerut taking AB's from Hart. In nearly the exact number of AB's as at home, he has a .920 OPS on the road so far this year, and he was 120 OPS points better on the road in 2008. Care to rethink that? Take Petco out of the mix, and he has an OPS around .912 the last season plus. That compares to Corey Hart's .750-ish over the same period (albiet more AB's). That doesn't even account for LHP vs. RHP. If that is not a significant upgrade, I don't know what is. As for the numbers at home this year, the numbers from '08 support the argument that the park hurts him, but beyond that, he has had a couple games that would make Bill Hall blush...an 0-6 and an 0-7 (yikes), and without looking too closely, with the bulk of their home games thus far coming against SF, LAD, and PIT, I would venture a guess they have faced a lot of left handed starters at home. In their last two road trips, he is 13/34 (.382), compared to the last two home stands where he is 4/28 (.143), so clearly as far as the past 3+ weeks go, he is not consistently been struggling - just at home. Finally, he has had success leading off. The only Brewer that can presently make that claim is Counsell, and unless you want him playing every day, you need to find an alternative. Again, another reason to consider giving him some of Hart's AB's. As far as Corey's trade value...I guess that ultimatley comes down to what you think the Brewers chances are this year. If they have a chance to go back to the playoffs, I say Corey's trade value be damned, you do what is best to win games, and right now, evidence would seem to suggest a Gerut/Hart platoon is one of those things.

I am a life long Brewer fan, and that in no way gives me a black eye.

Agreed. While I understand Corey Hart is the second coming of Robert Clemente to many around here. When you look at Gerut's numbers against RHP and away from Petco, he not only appears to be an upgrade, but he would appear to be a significant upgrade. Not to mention he has actually demonstrated some decent results as a leadoff hitter. Something this team is in need of. You look at just the last couple years since Gerut came back from injury, and the argument for him taking AB's from Hart becomes more compelling. To go even one step further, looking at last year, Gerut admittedly had far fewer ABs against them, but he actually hit LHP better than Corey Hart did. I'm not suggesting throwing him out there every day or anything, but I frankly don't see what Hart is doing to warrant Gerut being strictly relegated to bench duty - especially if Gerut can provide production at lead off.