Friday's Back-to-the-Wall Frosty Mug

by KLSnow on Oct 3, 2008 9:21 AM CDT Comment 45 comments

This isn't where I'd hoped we'd be on Friday, but it's where we are, so let's make the best of it.

Game 1 Win Probability Graph
Game 1 BR Box Score

Game 2 Win Probability Graph
Game 2 BR Box Score

Ok, any idiot could write a gloom-and-doom Mug at this point, dismiss the Brewer season and spend the weekend picking apples or something. I might pick apples this weekend (I'm out), but I'm not giving up yet. Here are my reasons for optimism:

The last time the Brewers were down 0-2 in a best of five series, they took the last three from the Angels in the 1982 ALCS.
MLB Playoff Odds still gives the Brewers a 12.3% shot (about 1 in 8) at winning the NLDS and a 2.4% shot (about 1 in 40) at winning the World Series.
FanGraphs released a list of baseball's ten worst relief pitchers, and there's not a single Brewer on it.
Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun both know what they need to do.
Prince has made enough toothpicks to last through the winter.
Bob Uecker will throw out the first pitch tomorrow.
And of course, we still have the Rally Lobster:

What else do you need?

The Brew Town Beat in encouraging you not to boo the Brewers this weekend. For once, I'm with him. We've waited 26 years for this moment, let's not waste it complaining about Corey Hart's .132/.159/.197 batting line since September 6.

The Journal Sentinel has a piece on Dale Sveum's "loyalty" to Rickie Weeks. Worth noting: Weeks is still splitting time, and while his game 1 error is permanently carved into Brewer lore, he also hit .281/.395/.547 in his last 20 games, which looks pretty good when compared to J.J. Hardy, Mike Cameron or even Ryan Braun's numbers over the same span.

It's time for today's Sabathia Smorgasbord. Today, Joe Posnanski asks if clutch pitching is more likely to be real than clutch hitting, MLB Trade Rumors suggests both Sabathia and Ben Sheets will be Type A free agents and The San Francisco Chronicle (via MLB Trade Rumors) says the Giants will make a run at signing him.

As noted in the FanShots, I made Sports Illustrated this week. I can't tell you how weird of a feeling it is to spend an entire season writing about a team, and make a nationally-known publication based on a throwaway line about pumpkin pie. Here's my pumpkin pie recipe. No, I don't make my own pie crust.

One injury note to pass along: Carlos Pena left last night's game with blurred vision, but it appears he'll be ok and ready to go for game 2.

In case you missed it, A Greek Orthodox priest exorcised the Cubs' dugout before last night's game. Carlos Zambrano was still there at game time, so apparently it didn't work.

So apparently the Mets are hoping to improve in 2009 by suck-proofing their bullpen. Brewer fans, above all others, should be able to tell them that "throwing a lot of money at it" and "suck-proofing" are two different things.

Via BBTF, I also learned that Lanny Frattare, voice of the Pirates since 1976, retired yesterday. I can't imagine retiring after so long when the team is this bad...it'd be like Uecker retiring in 2001.

On the coaching carousel: The Royals have fired their hitting coach. There's still not a single fired manager this offseason.

Oh, and if you need something to stare at while you spend the off-day spacing out, the Wikipedia Screen Saver works for me.

Drink up. And keep your chin up!

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Chin is up

Atleast we are not the Cubs and headed across the country down 0-2… it is a land of zombies here in Chicago… We are coming home where it isn’t uncommon for us to win back to back games…let’s be roudy and excited for Saturday… something we have waited for 26 years.

Only can win one game at a time, can’t win three in one… so let’s get on on Saturday and go from there!

The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.

by Kyguy922 on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m in your boat. It’s not even so much seeing the Cubs get shellacked at home and seeing shot after shot of their demoralized fans, but here’s the thing: Our drought has been the Playoffs, now not to put a bandaid on an 0-2 start to this thing, but to make the Playoffs after that drought speaks to the direction we’re going. Last season, fought hard and missed the playoffs, this season, fought hard to get in and just hit a wall offensively. Sort of liked the comparison brought up during Game 1 of how we resemble the Phillies of last season, where we got in so late and just couldn’t exceed past it.

Hoping for one heck of a homecoming though. Having ONE Playoff game at home says enough for me. It’d be nice to have a whole lot more, but again, can’t speak to how great it is to even be playing this late into a season to begin with.

by Lavender on Oct 3, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not terribly suprised

It would be a thousand times worse if the team was playing well and then collapsed in the playoffs. The offensive problems of the last two games have been the offensive problems this team has had for awhile. No Home Runs = No Runs. Nice of them to ease us into it.

Finally breaking into the playoffs is a big deal though, and something that gives my fandom some fuel.

by Bernie's Mustache Wax on Oct 3, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just don't want to get swept.

I have an unreasonable dislike of Bill Hall.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Oct 3, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point..

I want to see as many Brewers playoff games as possible.

by balldeagle on Oct 3, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who's pitching?

I thought that Bush would go in game 3, but my paper said Suppan. I suppose each of them will get a start with the season on the line so maybe it doesn’t matter.

by grant76 on Oct 3, 2008 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

bush will start on saturday

I untuck my shirt!

by Michael M on Oct 3, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll be there saturday (and hopefully sunday)

and i’ll be loud cheering on the crew. if, however, corey hart does something really negative i can’t guarantee that i won’t boo

I untuck my shirt!

by Michael M on Oct 3, 2008 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In this stretch

I can’t say that I’d blame you.

But cheers on being at the game. Should be a packed house with an electric atmosphere. Perhaps just the kick start they need to get back to that last homestand form.

by Lavender on Oct 3, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say cheer everyone

except Hart. Boo him.

September 15: Not a bad little Monday

by molitorfan on Oct 3, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's one cute dog there

I like how he’s already perfected the “the things I have to put up with” look. My dog has that one down as well.

It’s small comfort, but the Cubs are down 0-2 as well. Two season of first-round sweeps does provide some amusement, even if only to distract our own, err, failures.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Oct 3, 2008 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Back in '82

The ALCS was set up differently. Homefield advantage back then meant you played the first two on the road and then the final three (if necessary) at home. Makes it a tiny bit easier to win three in a row then.

Would you hear anything from the JS about “loyalty” to Rickie Weeks if he was hitting .260-270, getting on base at a .300-315 clip, and had 6 or 7 errors this season?

All four Cubs infielders had errors last night, making it only the second time that’s happened (at the bottom) in the postseason. The Detroit Tigers infield did it in Game 1 of the 1934 World Series. Marv Owen, the Tigers third baseman, had two errors on the day. Still doesn’t beat my favorite error-laden postseason box score.

P.S.: You have Greek “Orthodix” written – the i should be an o.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Oct 3, 2008 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fixed

Of course, if the Brewers win Saturday I’m going to have to keep spelling it that way.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by KLSnow on Oct 3, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Orthodix?

Hmmm…I sense a Kirbir moment coming on.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Oct 3, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ortho means right

Dix means… well, you know.

It’s perfect!

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

err...i thought it meant immediately-next-to (adjacent)

which works as well;)

Situational Signature (8th/9th inning only): pleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendall
--NoahJ

by PagsBrewCrew on Oct 3, 2008 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that "error" game

Inn Out Score RoB Pt wWPA wWE Batter Pitcher Play Detail
—-—-——-—-—-———————————-———————-———————————————————————————————
t 3 2 3-2 1-3 10% 48% B Sullivan J Pfiester Davis Steals Hm; Dougherty Steals 2B; Davis Scores/No RBI

oh, my, for a non-Error that’s a biggie too.

That Tinker guy was an error-inducer – he reached on 2 errors and scored on another.

Situational Signature (8th/9th inning only): pleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendall
--NoahJ

by PagsBrewCrew on Oct 3, 2008 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TheJay would know………..hes part Serbian Orhthdox

by statsllc on Oct 3, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fun side note:

I went alone to a Serbian Orthodox church (don’t know if he told you) earlier this year and I totally almost fell asleep.

So boring….

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The SI mention is frickin' awesome

So the real question now is, which one of you guys works for SI? It is pretty cool to know there are professional sports media types out there reading at least some of BCB. I think that can go a long way in getting some credibility for some of the amazing stuff Jeff, KL, battlekow, Dixie and everyone else has put together. Keep up the good work guys.

My only regret is that I have but one life to give to my blog

by MadJimiBrewha on Oct 3, 2008 10:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

from what i can tell...

most major online media outlets monitor the ‘top’ blog or two for each team. deserved or not, BCB seems to be the one they gravitate to; I get occasional emails from just about everybody who covers the Brewers (except for the JS guys), and occasionally you can see ideas that started here work there way into the mainstream that way.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Oct 3, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh oh

Hopefully no one is taking notes from me!

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hopefully they are

we could use some more “documentaries” coming out of the major media producers: Four-Star Video (Madison) style.

Situational Signature (8th/9th inning only): pleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendall
--NoahJ

by PagsBrewCrew on Oct 3, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Deserved or not"?

You’re selling yourself short. Not to mention BK, KL Snow and TheJay. This is hands down the best Brewer themed blog out there in my opinion.

I have an unreasonable dislike of Bill Hall.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Oct 3, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, i have my opinion :)

it also helps that the brewers blogosphere is tiny compared to those of most other teams.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Oct 3, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not the size that counts

or so I was told when I was 10.

Situational Signature (8th/9th inning only): pleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendall
--NoahJ

by PagsBrewCrew on Oct 3, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Brewers blogosphere may be small

But it’s still big enough that I injured my back carrying it.

So much for my weekend.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by KLSnow on Oct 3, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You shouldn't do everything Lou Piniella tells you to

jeff: but i shudder to think of the bullpen analogy to sending the runner

by battlekow on Oct 4, 2008 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

It’s definitely deserved. Even other teams’ blogs pale in comparison to our wonderful BCB!

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know we might not want to dwell on it, but I have to ask

Who else felt like Sveum totally forgot Yost was gone last night when he wouldn’t take CC out?

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 12:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about that

Once he gave up the grand slam, I was wondering about possibly pulling him then. Let Son of Clung take over, and have a more rested CC for later in the series if it (hopefully) went that far.

What’s the consensus: was it just a bad night for CC, or did we run him out there on short rest too many times?

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Oct 3, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

everybody gets hit sometimes...

I think it was just a bad night. It seemed like most of the damage came when there was 2 strikes in the count.

by balldeagle on Oct 3, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

Some Cubs fans thought he was being squeezed by the ump and nobody disagreed.

by ol Pete on Oct 3, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the slider on Myers

with two strikes confused me. Its not the reason we lost, but I really don’t see where that one missed.

The announcers were almost silent after the pitch, expecting it to be called strike 3.

by Supertramp on Oct 3, 2008 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he really only had two bad games so far

So it was probably time for a bad one. I’m sure running him on short rests a ton didn’t help the situation either… neither did the home plate umpire…

"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker

by kirbir on Oct 3, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

loyalty to Rickie?

Rickie’s got one of the better approaches on the team right now. I say put Rickie in RF to replace the hole of suckitude currently residing there. Bases loaded and Hart GIDP on the first pitch he sees? When the pitcher has already walked 3 guys in the inning? You gotta be kidding me! Why didn’t Sveum put out a “take” sign for at least the first pitch? He keeps saying the guys “have gotta start swingin’ the bats.” That’s the problem! They’re ALL swinging the bats, right through high heaters and low-N-away sliders.

by balldeagle on Oct 3, 2008 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

by Jeff Sackmann on Oct 3, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Oct 3, 2008 12:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We could be in Lord of the Rings

Those could be the ~~deus ex machina~~ eagles.

jeff: but i shudder to think of the bullpen analogy to sending the runner

by battlekow on Oct 3, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Oct 3, 2008 10:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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