adambr2

As much as we get on other players for inconsistencies, Ryan Braun has had some really rough stretches here in the second half (6 for 45, 1 for 20, etc). Sure, a lot of that has been bad luck, and there's been other times when he hasn't looked very good up there in the second half but I can buy into the argument that he's had below average luck this year. It seems like his power has been down as shown by only 17 HRs this year, which is why I'm surprised to see his slugging percentage actually higher than his career average this year. Probably the most surprising to me is that he's stayed healthy in the second half. I have to admit I expected him to miss more games. Is he a special player? Well, he's carrying a 1.7 fWAR this year which is almost exactly in line with Fangraphs' pre-season projection for him of 1.9. It's hard for me to see any way to define a sub 2 WAR position player as a special player, especially when projection models essentially predicted this season. But 'special' is a subjective term and everyone will have their own definition on it. He's not an MVP candidate type player anymore and likely won't be again. I think most of us probably agree on that.

Which unfortunately against the Cubs is basically worthless. At least in Wrigley you expect the road environment, it has to be a little deflating at home. Maybe it would be a little different in a Game 163 but I doubt it.

At a bare minimum, they need to hold serve the next 2 days and go into the 4 game series against the Cubs down 3.5. That would put us within 1.5 if we took 3 out of 4 which at least we give us a fighting chance in the last 5-6 games. That's about the best balance of optimism and realism I can come up with. Obviously sweeping them is a total game changer and would be fantastic but it's just hard to fathom that happening again especially in a 4 game series. Still, you'd have to think they'll be feeling the pressure in that series more than us. They're the defending champs. Winning the division is supposed to be a given. We're not even supposed to be here. We've already exceeded expectations.

80 wins. No matter what happens, who would've thought? It's a shame that the Cubs and Rockies have gotten hot at exactly the wrong time as we are now 10 games over. 500 and would be looking to be in really good shape for the postseason if we were getting any help whatsoever this month. The second week of September looked like a great shot to make up ground with the Rockies having a brutal 8 game road trip in Arizona and in L.A. and they end up going 6-2. If they had just even split it, we'd be tied.

2nd Half: Villar- .292/.315/.425/.740 (10XBH, 7 SB) *125 PA Broxton- .214/.298/.381/.679 (9XBH, 2 SB) *142 PA Perez- .263/.288/.391/.679 (9XBH, 5 SB) *141 PA Last 28 Days: Villar- .400/.417/.629/1.045 (4 XBH, 1 SB) *37 PA Broxton- .189/.271/.208/.479 (1 XBH, 1 SB) *59 PA Perez- .296/.339/.426/.765 (3 XBH, 2 SB) *60 PA That's why I said this year, over the course of the entire season. Not denying Villar has come around nicely since the break. Walker has been a nice acquisition but unfortunately it has cut into Villar's playing time significantly. For the season Broxton has a .731 OPS, 0.9+ WAR and .312 wOBA, compared to a .671 OPS, -0.4 WAR and. 290 wOBA for Villar. Offensively not a huge disparity but Broxton has had the better offensive season and the superior defensive season.

I do think the hate for Villar is over the top at times as well but Broxton has plain and simple been the better player of the two this year so if Villar is indeed disliked more it's more productiin related.

Broxton has done some good things but his streaks kill a lineup. Play him vs most lefties and move on from him in the offseason. He just doesn't get on base enough. And so far Phillips has looked like the better defender. A game like tonight could've been justified to have Broxton over Perez though if Santana couldn't play. He's actually been a lot more consistent since his late July stint in Colorado Springs. Looking at his game logs not a single slump longer than 8 plate appearances in a row without a hit. Weirdly he's pretty much been the opposite of his first half. Almost no hot or cold streaks. Plenty of 1 for 2, 1 for 3, 1 for 4 nights.

For all the grief this bullpen has gotten this year, they are 9th in MLB in ERA, 6th in K's, 12th in opposing batting average. That's coming into tonight so probably better now.

I know Broxton is everyone's favorite guy to hate for some reason, but he had a nice 2 for 5 day yesterday. Most importantly he's been putting the ball in play a bit more which is sometimes indicative of him starting to get hot. I like Phillips a lot. They both have their uses, there's no need to name an official starter. Phillips should never ever start vs. Lefties, well at least not this year yet. Vs. RHP will be situatuonally based on the opposing starting pitcher, matchup history for Broxton, etc.

Perez doesn't seem to be quite sure why he's in the lineup either.

Disappointing. Needed to come out with more than that especially with the meat of the order.

I mean I would guess if Stearns, Melvin, Arnold, etc. comes to Counsell and says "I think this lineup philosophy makes sense, I think you should bat the pitcher 8th and this guy 9th because I expect to create this many more runs," he would take it under advisement and give it due consideration. But ultimately I think it's all Counsell's call and no one above him is going to overrule him.

How much say does Counsell have in lineup decisions? Only about 100% I was going to say, if the answer to this is not 100%, Counsell has some concerning clubhouse issues.

I'm fine with Counsell, I think he's overall a good manager. I do question some of his decisions and think he has a tendency to overthink and get a little too cute with his moves at times, but I appreciate the fact that all his decisions aren't married to some old school book. I do agree Santana needs to be playing. He's arguably our best hitter and coming off a good day. This is September 18th in a pennant race, not the middle of June . It's all hands on deck and your best guys every day.

Both the Cubs and Rockies idle, so we could move to within 3.5 of the division and 2 of the WC. Too early to call anything a must win but man it's a 1 game swing in both races one way or another. Can't expect to run the table but every loss is just so damaging at this point. So let's get some more runs...Suter doing his job so far..wonder how long they'll him go.

Finally a bit of positive news! The Padres rallied to beat the Rockies, 4-3, reducing their Wild Card lead to 2.5 games.

You are the worst Cardinals, the worst. The silver lining is your season is finished.

Cardinals down 3-0 but have rallied to tie. Boy do we ever need them to steal this one.

Thanks ! As much as I wanted the Cardinals to win these games (ugh), I do take some mild satisfaction in seeing them pooch their season away in a series they absolutely had to have.

I loved his demeanor after retiring the side and striking out two in his MLB debut. Like it was no big deal. Missed him last night. Can someone give me a little bit of a truncated scouting report. Velo, movement, delivery... Almost exclusively threw fastballs and stayed on the outside part of the plate all inning. Believe he mixed in a change and a curve once or twice. Both K's were swinging strikes at fastballs in or near the zone. Fastball consistently sat at 91-92. Think he touched 93 on his last strikeout pitch for the final out.

It's looking like we might be in a position where we need to sweep the Cubs yet again, this time in a 4 game series . :/ Not impossible, but man we are just getting zero help.

Why? Braun isn't a special player anymore, and that trade would have both made us better and reduced payroll. Here is my list of reasons: 1. Braun is having a down year statistically sure, but he'll be fine moving forward I believe. I know you will tell others that he's not a "special" player anymore until you are blue in the face but I'm just not convinced that this window is completely closed. 2. I couldn't care less about the $20 million owed to him because to me, it's not blocking the Brewers from doing pretty much anything they want financially. Also, it's not my money and I believe fans make more of players salaries for what reason, I do not know. 3. I cannot stand Puig. I don't want him in a Brewers uniform. Never did. 4. McCarthy has no spot on this team either. He's not good and often injured. All he would have done is block younger guys from getting a crack at the rotation like Garza has. 5. If the prospect(s) were worth anything in this deal, Stearns would've pulled the trigger. Since he didn't, this trade is completely worthless in my eyes. The "window" may have been there due to Braun's no-trade clause coming into effect but I just don't feel an appropriate trade was even out there to be had. Hence why I am happy he's still a Brewer and I'm excited to see him help this young wave of players turn this franchise into a winner. 1. And you can wait for him to magically morph into a special and healthy 2012 version of himself until you are blue in the face as well. Probably not going to happen at age 34 and I do believe his PED history probably makes the odds longer than they would be for another 34 year old. 2. More flexibility is always better than less. It's not a huge deal, but if you can pay a better player less money that's obviously a good thing. 3. That's a matter of personal preference, but the expression of stones in glass houses kind of applies here too. Braun obviously is no saint either. 4. Don't really care much about McCarthy, he was more just a salary offsetter for LA. in the deal anyway. But he would have been better than Garza this year when healthy. 5. You literally not even 2 months ago said that you think the Brewers could have landed Bellinger for Braun, but then Stearns got greedy. Now you say you don't believe an appropriate trade was even out there to be had?

I just listed you MY reasons. You may disagree with them, I'm good with that. Continuing to spew the "how is this even debatable" line doesn't come off well. Learn to agree to disagree with people. It won't kill ya, I promise. I typed that last one and hit post before your list of reasons came up which I will respond to. Patience please.

I mean I just don't understand how it is even debatable. Puig has a 2.7 fWAR this year, Braun has a 1.2 fWAR. Puig is the better, younger player alone just straight up, while also being cheaper and having less of a future commitment. Not to mention Puig is available every day and does not need to be treated like a fragile piece of china. This is without even considering the value of McCarthy and two prospects of possible value . How is this even debatable anymore?

I love Stearns, but he missed his window on that one. And I'm glad he did. Why? Braun isn't a special player anymore, and that trade would have both made us better and reduced payroll.