Lil Dummy

Pittsburgh stinks. Enough of this "PNC jinx" garbage. It's clobberin' time.

To me, this is the least attractive of the pitching matchups this weekend. So I guess it's good to get it over with. A win tonight, and it could be a very good weekend. A loss, and they can still hope to take two of three, even if Cy Harang is lying in wait...

"By simply reminding everyone that Ned Yost does not pitch, play all four infield spots, all 3 outfield spots, and that he doesn't bat himself 1-9 every night." And if you're willing to buy into this kind of blanket absolution, then the manager means nothing. In which case, let's get rid of Yost, and let Jenks be player/coach. Hey, we're a small market club, it never hurts to stretch our dollars.

Getting Gross spot starts against righties is a fine idea. Sitting Hart in favor of Gross vs. a lefty starter would not be a fine idea.

"I can't remember when I've had less fun at a Brewers game than tonight." I haven't been to a game since the Crew came out here to NYC to play the Mets back in May, but I can relate. I can't remember when I've had less fun following the Brewers than the past week or two. At the start of the season, if you'd have told me that I'd be saying that in mid-August, and the Crew would have sole possession of first place, I would have stuck my foot in a time machine to kick my future self in the groin, but nevertheless, it's true. If they take an early lead, I wait for them to blow it. Conversely, if they fall behind, I surrender all hope of a comeback. As was perfectly illustrated by the past two nights vs. the Cards. Since the All Star break this team has been like a dying man, begging to be put out of his misery - and the competition has been too inept to oblige. For my own mental health, I've backed off a bit, but even from a distance it's painful. The starting pitching over the past few weeks has been ungodly awful. I mean, these are big league pitchers, right? Somebody almost HAS to pitch a good game at some point, don't they? Ugh. Right now one watches the Brewers with a morbid sense of fascination. It's a train wreck on a daily basis. I have to give all the credit in the world to those of you who can follow this mess closely without getting upset. You're definitely more mentally healthy than I am. http://static.yuku.com/v2//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/smokin.gif

I don't think "prejudism" is a word.

It would be cool to see Pat Burrell NOT hit a home run today. Let's go Soup!!

My old man is the classic "doom and gloom" guy, so I have more patience for the mentality than most. It's pretty clearly his defense mechanism, a futile attempt to avoid heartbreak. I'll tell you one thiing - saying the old man isn't a real fan couldn't be further from the truth. The Brewers may literally be the death of him. Like Joey says, different fans have different ways of dealing. As long as posters here don't lash out with personal attacks at other posters after a tough loss, I hope the mods continue to be tolerant to the various forms of expression we see. It's cathartic for some people to wail and gnash their teeth (even if a lot of their posts do sound silly after the heat of the moment has passed). If the "stiff upper lip" crowd could learn to take this stuff with a grain (or several grains) of salt, I think there would be a lot less acrimony around here.

"It was so nice to see Jenkins have that great game, even though I distinctly remember being told that he doesn't do anything unless the team is out of it" Jenkins worked my nerves last year, but he's been a pleasant surprise this year. Lots of heartbreak last night in the late innings, but when Jenks came up with Graffy on second, I would have bet the farm he was going to come through. I'm going to go home and watch the 13th again right now, in fact. Good stuff.

I was surprised the Twins didn't make a play for Carlos Lee last year when the Crew was shopping him. I thought he would have been a perfect fit for the Twins playoff push. Maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part, though.

"I really think this could be for the best. Letting Linebrink go to his family may be the thing that causes him to stay long term." I agree with this. Although I think it would have been cool if the baby had come out of the womb, looked at his dad, and said "Haven't you got a game to pitch, old man?"

Maybe you're right, Ennder. He just looks like a different hitter when I watch his plate appearances late in the game, particularly in pressure situations. Much less plate discipline. I don't have any doubt that he'll make adjustments and this problem (to whatever extent it exists) will disappear. The sooner the better, that's all I'm saying. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

"I'm with Rluz on this issue. Weeks will be a great player in baseball." Re-read the entire thread, there's not a single post that says he won't be a good to great second baseman when all is said and done. Way to knock down that straw man!! "He's close to getting it back too." This is the kind of crucial information that Melvin needs to have. I'm sure he wouldn't have sent Weeks down if he would have known that he was close to getting it back. You and Doug need to talk more, Rillo.

Back on topic, Olney was on Mike & Mike this morning, and said there will be virtually no pitching available via trade in August. Said that teams will be able to add offensive role players (his example was Conine from the Reds), that's about it. Assuming that's the case, then barring injury, I actually hope the Crew stands pat.

I still like the extra innings win over the Cubs, simply because it was the Cubs. But if that's 1A, I would make last night's game 1B. Awesome. I was running around my apartment out here in NYC at quarter to one in the morning, yelping for joy. I can only hope some of my neighbors are Mets fans...