BarremlensTSSC

I don't like Mears in a high leverage inning, but I'm more or less ok with Murphy for using him that way right now because there aren't really a lot of alternatives. My primary issue with Murphy was/is when he insists on using players because of the role he imagines them playing instead of what they're actually doing. Hoskins is one of the players where he's fallen into that trap periodically over the last two seasons. I fully expected him to force Hoskins into the lineup at the expense of Bauers and Vaughn, particulary once it became clear that Vaughn's power had vanished/regressed, but he really hasn't done that. He's not perfect. I actually think that he's done a better job this year than last year when he won MOTY. Right now I think he's leaving Collins on the bench too much and that he's probably starting Perkins too much. But the OF is a sneaky tough lineup decision every day because Frelick's knee likely won't let him play CF, Chourio's defense in CF is great at times and pretty shaky at others, so his options are to use Perkins for his defense and give up some offensive production by benching Collins/Frelick/Chourio (because the DH spot is occupied) or risk defensive miscues at a time his pitching staff is wobbling under the weight of the season and injuries. I'd use Perkins primarily as a late inning defensive replacement (like today) and get Frelick/Collins/Chourio as many ABs as possible, but I don't think the opposite choice is awful. Defintely don't think it's out of line to question his decisions. I just think it's pretty obvious that he's a value added manager the last two regular seasons which is relatively rare

I agree, although I think part of what's going on is just a desire to get Perkins on the field while not losing at bats from Frelick and Chourio.

****. Jinxed it.

Also, on a personal note (not that anyone should care), I left Brewcrewball about 6 weeks ago and started hanging out here in gamethreads because BCB had, as it periodically does, devolved into a circumstance where the opinions or one poster were taken as gospel and if he corrected/disagreed with you the pile on began. (He is a master of the "well, actually" comment/reply. He was often right, but always insufferable.) The vibe here is different; quieter, but otherwise for the better, at least for me. Really enjoying it here. Thanks everyone.

Go Marlins! Up 1-0!

It sure would be helpful for Megill to magically reappear as an effective reliver so we don't have to watch Mears in high leverage innings this often.

Haha! Entropy can suck it! Let's Go Brewers!

I guess that's why they keep playing Chourio in CF even though he's a little squirrely out there on some plays.

Little help from the Marlins tonight. Much appreciated.

Agreed on the ABs. There are some. Just my opinion but Chourio looks like he's on the verge of a positive regression. But yeah, it'd be nice to see some more competitive ABs.

Can Zimmerman just throw 200 pitches? If he's gonna suck he might as well go 9, right?

Marlins back up 6-5

5-5 now.

Yeah, that was supposed to be a joke, but your thoughts are pretty rational. Unfortunately the Brewers probably need some pretty miraculous recoveries by the division series.

Yep. They've got a few games to try to break out. Chourio is pressing but he's not that far from a break out imo. No idea if any of the rest of these guys will hit again this year.

Are we 100% sure that the Brewers and Phillies actually want to win the #1 seed?

Just use the ignore button. Put him in the ether.

So can't say I predicted first inning grand slam but not surprised to see that Zimmerman isn't competitive at the MLB level. Not really upset with the Brewers for starting him because they're in a bad way right now. Just frustrating.

Maybe. I'm old. I've seen enough goat rodeos with the Brewers over the last 50 years to prefer they get every advantage it's humanly possible to get.

Pretty much agree. I'd be completely cool with that if they'd clinched the #1 spot already.

I am not confident tonight.

well I gave it a shot but I'm not catching the end of this one... Go Brewers!

What a slide!

Yeah. He's 21. It'll come. Sure would have been nice to see this year though.

That was awful. And unsurprising.