Today's game featured some of the most remarkable defensive play I've seen generally and easily the best defensive performance of the season for the Brewers. Much of that good defense was certainly assisted by somewhat bizarre (and in some cases, downright inept) baserunning by the Dodgers. But great teams take advantage of mistakes by opponents and importantly, don't let them recover. The triple play really was something to behold--it wasn't one of those that you say "Hey, it might be...it could be..." because at least on TV, you didn't see Kemp trying to score until Prince threw home. He really, really struggled with that throw in the first few months of season, but has done much better in his last 3 or 4 attempts.
And Pittsburgh has a very old population with few babies, so the Cardinals suffered a 6-2 loss. That gives the Brewers a 6 game lead over St Louis and they are 20 games over .500. Their magic # is 35! Much of the good things about the Brewers have been beat to death, so looking at St Louis for the moment, they still must be viewed as dangerous. 40 games is still a lot and as injuries the team's already suffered have shown, anything bad could happen between now and the end of the season. First, I hope that doesn't happen to begin with, but it occurs to me that the team is so deep, it can make it through anything short of complete catastrophe. (I won't say it "aloud" even though I'm not superstitious and just let you define "complete catastrophe). I find myself rushing to the mailbox everyday to see if my invoice for playoff tickets has arrived. (Then, I just gotta hope I can make the money work--I'll be utterly crushed if I can't).
Signing off with a note of relief that both Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley for what I believe to be perfectly reasonable money. (Forget the slot #'s, they're utter nonsense without a rule requiring they be followed). It'd be nice to see Jungmann in September next year for his cup of coffee and bullpen help. It does make me dream of signing Greinke to an extension and these guys coming up to support him in the starting rotation.
Last note: Am I the only one who keeps forgetting Greinke is only 28?? Wow...
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Who would have thought?
The Brewers' performance of late is some of the best proof you could ask for that PITCHING MATTERS. In the last 2 games, the offense scored 3 runs, but won both games. The defense today again let the pitching down and against any other effective offense, the Brewers easily would have lost today. But, Saito did a great job (again) and Axford was Ax. Bigger to me, though: Marcum with a very trying and difficult 1st inning that required 22 (?) pitches...but he pitched like a man, got through 7 innings (check that: 7.2!) with no other runs. That's just---well, I can't even really describe it. How about this: The Brewers have the best ERA in the NL since the All-Star Break.
I think what I am taking away over the last 2 weeks is cliche, but still true: They do just what they need do to win and that players that CARE make a difference. You can get a summary anywhere, so I'll keep that out here...but I have a question: In the 8th inning, can anyone really explain why Hairston pinch ran for Lucroy anyway? I mean, Kottaras did come in at catcher in the top of the 9th, but he didn't have to--Lucroy could have caught and George could have still pinch hit when Wilson's spot came up in the 10th. I must be missing something here because there's no way Hairston is THAT much faster that Lucroy. In the succinct words of @mykenk: #whatever.
And the 10th is just another chapter in the Nyjer Morgan goofy saga. Personally, I think the best part was the Al-like stare down of a routine fly ball. (Nevermind that it drove in the game-winning run).
Let me just wrap with Counsell. He really has no place on the team. He actually is probably the best defensive infielder not on the DL, but honestly, every starting pitcher is probably a better hitter than he is at this point. The Brewers are either just that good that it doesn't matter or they've been lucky that their best play of the year has come with Weeks out and Counsell's ineffectiveness is hidden. Either way, it's obvious he's not going anywhere--especially with roster expansion only 2 weeks away, it makes little difference. But, RRR MUST, MUST, MUST stop starting him. It's going to come back and bite the team in the ass eventually. I'll stop here--but I've got high praise for Yuni in a later post. Hopefully with the playoff push coming, I'll be able to post a little more often. I promise: Unless it's huge or breaking, nothing Packers until at least the day after the first regular season game (and even then, just probably a commentary on the game).
I think what I am taking away over the last 2 weeks is cliche, but still true: They do just what they need do to win and that players that CARE make a difference. You can get a summary anywhere, so I'll keep that out here...but I have a question: In the 8th inning, can anyone really explain why Hairston pinch ran for Lucroy anyway? I mean, Kottaras did come in at catcher in the top of the 9th, but he didn't have to--Lucroy could have caught and George could have still pinch hit when Wilson's spot came up in the 10th. I must be missing something here because there's no way Hairston is THAT much faster that Lucroy. In the succinct words of @mykenk: #whatever.
And the 10th is just another chapter in the Nyjer Morgan goofy saga. Personally, I think the best part was the Al-like stare down of a routine fly ball. (Nevermind that it drove in the game-winning run).
Let me just wrap with Counsell. He really has no place on the team. He actually is probably the best defensive infielder not on the DL, but honestly, every starting pitcher is probably a better hitter than he is at this point. The Brewers are either just that good that it doesn't matter or they've been lucky that their best play of the year has come with Weeks out and Counsell's ineffectiveness is hidden. Either way, it's obvious he's not going anywhere--especially with roster expansion only 2 weeks away, it makes little difference. But, RRR MUST, MUST, MUST stop starting him. It's going to come back and bite the team in the ass eventually. I'll stop here--but I've got high praise for Yuni in a later post. Hopefully with the playoff push coming, I'll be able to post a little more often. I promise: Unless it's huge or breaking, nothing Packers until at least the day after the first regular season game (and even then, just probably a commentary on the game).
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