Matt Breen

I've started Community. Really enjoying the first half dozen or so episodes. Great cast.

I remember going to Arlington a couple of times - about 20 years ago. It was a nice stadium, but no roof. The roof will be good for the team in that heat.

Enjoyed watching "Lucifer" on Netflix. The cop procedural part is the weakest part of the show, but the cast is a hoot. A show about a hedonistic, crime-solving devil isn't up everyone's alley - but it's a lot of fun.

I live in a smaller community in north central Wisconsin, and we have a lot of older residents. Just based on my own observations, the elderly have been more diligent than younger people about using masks. A couple of 40 year olds walking into the grocery store are far less likely to be wearing a mask than a 60 or 70 year old. I'm surprised at how many families are out doing things who don't wear masks. 40 year old mom in the grocery store with four kids running around - stuff like that. I'm guessing a lot of this comes from the fact that the elderly are far more vulnerable to the virus than young people. They don't want to die - makes sense. It also might be that the older a person gets, the more likely he/she knows of someone who has gotten COVID - and in some cases, died from it. Men seem to the more likely not to wear a mask (again, just from my observations). Especially (as I said before), younger men (below 50ish).

Exactly. That's why the masks are really important in certain environments. Wearing one really helps limit the risk to others. People say, "Well I'm young and healthy" or "it violates my rights" or whatever -- well, it's not about you. It's about the people you could potentially give the virus to (and you might not know you have the virus). We can't force people to wear masks. I get that. And certain places it's not a big deal. But some places (a health care facility, for instance) it's really important. You interact with people all day long. You touch pens and paper and clipboards and computers and whatever else over and over. And others are doing the same. Why can't we? Especially on private property. Not saying you can't if it's private property. I'm totally fine is a place wants to require them - and think it's - hands down - the smartest thing for people to do. But walking down the street, on a bike trail, whatever -- we can't force people to wear a mask everywhere (unless we pass a law - like California is doing).

Exactly. That's why the masks are really important in certain environments. Wearing one really helps limit the risk to others. People say, "Well I'm young and healthy" or "it violates my rights" or whatever -- well, it's not about you. It's about the people you could potentially give the virus to (and you might not know you have the virus). We can't force people to wear masks. I get that. And certain places it's not a big deal. But some places (a health care facility, for instance) it's really important. You interact with people all day long. You touch pens and paper and clipboards and computers and whatever else over and over. And others are doing the same.

I have to say that, listening to my wife tell me stories about people getting COVID, I'm just disheartened by the idiocy of some people. There are people going into work - knowing they have a fever - yet they still go (and then test positive). Or people not wearing masks when required 'because it is uncomfortable' - and then testing positive. It just makes you shake your head. And once that person tests positive - it means everyone around them - family, friends and co-workers - all end having to get tested - and even quarantined. It's so frustrating that a few idiots can keep this thing going. I'm not saying people need to run around in a hazmat suit - but just be smart. It's not about YOU. It's about everyone around you. Rant done. Thanks for listening.

Covid cases seem to be pretty steady across the US - but we could see a spike. It will be interesting. 16 friends in Florida all tested positive after going to a bar to celebrate together. 20 other people have come forward who got the virus after going to the bar as well. My wife was telling me there were more than 100 cases here in Wisconsin that could all trace getting the virus at a graduation party (something like 8 or 10 people got it at the party - and then spread it to others, who spread it to others, etc.). These kinds of things may keep the thing from going away any time soon. I still hope the summer will help tamper down the virus. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/florida-woman-15-friends-test-positive-for-coronavirus-after-dinner-at-restaurant/2249991/

I think the DH will work fine for Milwaukee. Braun can take a lot of at bats there. I think we have some good depth - and with the expanded rosters - that should play out well for us.

Finally saw it this past weekend. Fully agree with you, Reilly. I really enjoyed the movie. It's a bit of a modern twist and a partial sendup of the classic whodunits. I've seen references to a potential followup/sequel. I'll be curious to see how well that might go. I think the plan is to just make another Benoit Blanc mystery without any of the Thrombeys. Which could be interesting. If they can make them nearly as good as Knives Out I'd be more than willing to see one every year or two. Yeah, I read it was going to be following Benoit Blanc - which makes sense. No point it rehashing the rest of the characters - their story is said and done. They got what they all deserved - no point trying to 'top' that. Plus, a new mystery and a new cast offers a way to keep things fresh. Daniel Craig looks like he is having the time of his life in the movie.

I watched Knives Out again last night (had seen it in the theater last November). Just a really fun movie. Great cast. Not a typical whodunit.

I think we are going to see steady stream of COVID cases throughout the state. It just takes one person to spread this thing. My wife said in our area there were something like 20 or more cases traced to a single graduation party. As more and more people get together, it's going to spread. Simple as that. I don't know if things will get worse than they are -- but I just don't know if they will get better. Perhaps the warm weather will help. We will have to wait and see about that.

I don't know much about this year's draft, but Mitchell seems like a very interesting pick. Seems like good value at the slot, and some real upside.

What trend line are you referring to? I'm guessing it's that - on Thursday - the state had its most report cases in a single day - and the 3-day total (from Tue.-Thur) is the highest recorded. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/05/29/wisconsin-coronavirus-733-new-cases-new-three-day-high-deaths/5282911002/

Had a COVID test today. The nurse said it would be 'awkward' and 'uncomfortable' - but not painful. She was exactly right. It's a weird experience, but it doesn't hurt. And only takes a couple of seconds.

Why wouldn't Lutz, Feliciano, Ashby and Rasumuseen need to be protected? After this season, won't Ashby and Rasmussen have three years of experience (and been age 19 or older at signing). And won't Lutz and Feliciano have four years of experience - and been 18 at signing? Or am I wrong?

Over at mlbtraderumors.com they're going to do a mock expansion draft next month - as if the league were expanding by two teams in the off season. They are creating a 15-player protected list for each club, and I thought it would be a fun exercise on BF.net. We will go on the assumption that baseball will be played in 2020, and all players will gain a year of service time (both in the majors and the minor leagues). So, look at the rules, and reply to the post with your list of 15 protected players. You are welcome to include in your additional add ons (three after each round can be additionally protected), but that's not necessary. Rules - All Players in an organization are eligible to be drafted, except those with no prior major league experience who have less than three years service if signed at age 19 or older or have less than four years of service if signed at age 18 or younger. - Players with no-trade clauses or ten-and-five rights have to be put on the protected list. The only person this affects is Lorenzo Cain, who has a no-trade clause. - Free agents don't have to be protected Draft Process - Every team will lose one player in the first round of the draft - After the 1st round, a team can protect an additional three players - After the 2nd round, a team can protect an additional three players This means the team will lose 3 players. Below is a list of Brewers. I've included all the people I think will be eligible. I've included all the players with club options for 2021 - Braun, Phelps, Smoak, Sogard, Gyorko, Holt, etc. I've basically went through our 40-man roster and our Top 25 list and pulled out names. Let me know if there are any mistakes. I will correct. PITCHERS Clayton Andrews Aaron Ashby Alec Bettinger Phil Bickford Ray Black Zack Brown Corbin Burnes Alex Claudio J.P. Feyereisen Dylan File Bowden Francis Josh Hader Adrian Houser Corey Knebel Eric Lauer Max Lazar Caden Lemons Josh Lindblom Freddy Peralta Angel Perdomo David Phelps Drew Rasmussen Trey Supak Brent Suter Bobby Wahl Devin Williams Brandon Woodruff Eric Yardley CATCHERS Mario Feliciano David Freitas Payton Henry Omar Narváez Jacob Nottingham Manny Piña INFIELDERS Orlando Arcia Lucas Erceg Jedd Gyorko Ryon Healy Keston Hiura Brock Holt Mark Mathias Ronny Rodríguez Justin Smoak Eric Sogard Luis Urías OUTFIELDERS Ryan Braun (Braun is a 10/5 man, but he also has a mutual option for 2021 - so he does not have to be protected - as we can just let him become a free agent) Lorenzo Cain (has no trade clause so MUST protect) Ben Gamel Avisaíl García Tristen Lutz Corey Ray Tyrone Taylor Christian Yelich FREE AGENTS (no need to protect) Brett Anderson INELIGIBLE TO BE DRAFTED (not enough service time) Micah Bello Eduardo Garcia Antoine Kelly Luis Medina Hedbert Perez Carlos Rodriguez Ethan Small Brice Turang

I saw that the state conducted 9,400 tests on Wednesday. That's great news. I know my wife's organization has dramatically increased testing. A few weeks ago, they could only do one or two hundred - now they're talking 1,000 or something like that. This is because they are now able to get the supplies needed to conduct the tests. That means they're starting to conduct more and more procedures. In fact, I'm scheduled for a procedure in a couple of weeks. Getting tested the day before, plus another type of test right before the procedure. Such fun. At the same time, the wife said her organization is experiencing a jump in COVID cases. Why? Well, it's not because the stay-at-home order has been lifted. It's too soon to see the ramifications of that. They simply believe that it's just taking time to spread to more rural areas. They do think they'll have a spike in the next month - but who knows how big of one. Still a lot of unknowns. Tons of people coming up north. It's going to give the virus a chance to spread into some areas it has been relatively benign. But let's hope the availability of testing, the summer weather, and people just being smart about things, will keep things to a minimum. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/05/21/coronavirus-wisconsin-state-reports-single-day-record-testing/5236627002/

I was thinking of this same thing. Not the we could afford Curry and Giannis - but it would be a fun rumor to get going.

There hasn't been a single Anthony Davis story this year though, and he is a FREE AGENT THIS SUMMER. Davis wanted to get to LA - and has already done so. Thus, the fan base isn't hoping and praying it's going to happen. And, even though he's a free agent, I believe most people think AD is returning to the Lakers. So the drama is kind of been sapped from it all. Durant was a guy who was a FA last off season - and the speculation was pretty crazy all year. Why? Because there were a lot of signs pointing to him leaving. Not the same for AD. The 'Giannis wants to leave Milwaukee' talk is something that will garner a lot of steam if he decides against signing an extension. Normally, you wouldn't hear much about that kind of thing - except there are no games, and people love to talk and throw out ideas and get some web traffic. Gets the speculation going earlier than normal. Just my thoughts.

It's going to take time - probably a month or so - before we really start seeing any solid numbers on where things are going. We'll see some things trending in the next couple of weeks, but reliable data will simply take some time to accumulate. I'm guessing by July 1 we'll know if things are worse or fading - or about the same.

Regarding the 'Giannis to Warriors' ideas being tossed around, the Athletic has a nice article about how it's going to nearly impossible to happen. https://theathletic.com/1809588/2020/05/14/the-warriors-path-to-giannis-is-far-less-plausible-than-it-was-to-kevin-durant/ 2021-22 season contracts Curry: $45.8M Thompson: $37.9 Green: $24.0M Wiggins: $31.6M Total: $139.4M The projected salary cap for 2021-22 BEFORE the pandemic forced all the cancellations was $125M. That will likely drop. There's no way Golden State could sign him outright (like they did with Durant five years ago - when they had cap space and there was a huge increase in the cap). They'd have to work a sign-and-trade deal. And that triggers a hard cap on the Warriors - limiting their flexibility. Anyhow, that means if they added Giannis via sign and trade after the 2020-21 season, they have to rid themselves of Wiggins and - at minimum - one of Green or Thompson. Curry, Thompson and Giannis (assume max contract) would cost around $122M. I don't even think they could add 11 league minimum guys and get under the cap. And can a team like that win a championship? And let's point out, Curry will be 33 in 2021-22. Thompson will be 31 - and who knows how he recover after his surgery. Now, the Warriors could keep Draymond Green and deal Thompson - and gain another $13M. That helps, but Green, Curry, Giannis and the scrub squad aren't locks for anything. Point is - there's little reason for Giannis to want to be in Golden State. The Bucks should just keep him - even if he doesn't sign an extension this offseason. Go for a championship. There's still a chance he stays. And even if he wants to leave in FA, perhaps we can get something via a sign-and-trade. It's worth it to try and win a championship.

Two things. 1. I don't think anyone is saying that Giannis wants to leave. But if he feels the Bucks can't win a championship with the team they've built - he might consider making a move. 2. I think a lot of this is simply people making money -- float ideas and stories and so forth to get clicks. It works. The amount of Anthony Davis stories last year was ridiculous. And the LeBron ones the year before. Let's face it - California is a way bigger market than Milwaukee, and it gets clicks and views and sells papers to push the narrative of Giannis coming out there. You'll see the same thing coming from NY and Miami and wherever as well.

And we need baseball. So we can hate the Cubs and Cardinals.

You are correct. But everyone has to play along for such a thing to work. But it's always an option.