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Game Thread #2: Brewers (1-0) at Cubs (0-1)

Mordecai_brown_tiny by Jeff Sackmann on

Jeff Suppan versus Ted Lilly.  Lilly's a lefty, so Gabe Kapler gets the start in center, batting second...that should be interesting.

Start time is 1:20, lineups after the jump.  Go Brewers!

Star-divide

Brewers:

2B Rickie Weeks
CF Gabe Kapler
1B Prince Fielder
LF Ryan Braun
3B Bill Hall
RF Corey Hart
SS J.J. Hardy
RHP Jeff Suppan
C Jason Kendall

Cubs

(Maybe not official, but from a commenter at the Bizarro BCB)

SS Theriot
LF Soriano
1B Lee
3B Ramirez
RF Fukudome
2B Derosa
C Soto
CF Pie
P Lilly

0 recs | Comment 431 comments

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Kapler

I am getting sick already... MVP of the first game, and a day rest, and Yost benches Gwynn for a minor league manager...

I need this win more than another as my Marquette Basketball team is at a tipping point right now that could mark the end of a good run.

by Kyguy922 on Apr 2, 2008 11:56 AM CDT   0 recs

Ned and his 149 different line-ups

Completely agree, why are we doing this already, since when did Nedly decide to have a platoon in center till Cameron comes back?

by Scooter82 on Apr 2, 2008 12:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wasn't he saying that all spring?

I thought a center field platoon was the plan basically since camp opened. It would be more frustrating if he'd been saying that all along and then played Gwynn in the lineup because of the "hot hand" syndrome based on one game.

"He would have been among the league leaders in batting average for a majority of the season had he had enough plate appearances."

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 12:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gwynn Please...

I do not like this move...especially having Kapler in the 2 hole. Yost must see the matrix, because all he seems to care about are statistics. Gwynn won game 1 for us offensively & DEFENSIVELY. I highly doubt Kapler will be making over the shoulder catches at the wall. I want Gwynn in just for his defense.

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a new season...

...and I'm giving Nedly the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he's doing. He did pretty well on Opening Day; I'd like to see if I can make it through the first week of baseball without complaining about him.

I'm guessing that on Saturday, Yost is going to take Braun out of the game in the 7th for Kapler as a defensive replacement, and then I'll go back to hating him.

"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 Apr 2, 2008 12:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's funny

There are legions of people that are already far more upset with Yost than I am. If it weren't for this Kapler foolishness, I'd be giving him high marks on the season.

Ah well. It's early.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's odd

I'm not quite as virulently anti-Ned as some, but I'm pretty close.

And platooning Kapler and Gwynn seems perfectly reasonable to me. I do like platoons, and I'm not very optimistic about Gwynn. Gwynn is probably the better defender, while Kapler has the platoon advantage versus lefties and might hit the ball multiple hundreds of feet. Given we're probably talking about no more than 10 starts between now and Cameron's return, it doesn't seem like something to get worked up about.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

But can he bunt?

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

probably, yes

I think that's the first interview question when being considered for a minor league managerial job.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's not the platoon

It's hitting them in the 2nd spot. Like I said, I think the team is much better if you give those extra 3-4 ABs per week to Hart.

But, it's not really a big deal. Lineup construction is a pretty small thing.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutely

What has Nedly got against Hart? How much more does the kid have to do to prove he needs to be higher in the order!

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on Apr 2, 2008 12:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He's being Yosty

He said Cameron is going to hit in the 2 spot, and dammit, he's going to hit in the 2 spot. Whoever plays in place of Cameron will also need to hit in the 2 spot, because if someone like Hart thrives there, he won't be able to justify moving him when Cameron returns.

It's all about Ned saying what he's going to do, and then clapping his handing over his ears and yelling when someone tries to suggest a different approach.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's too bad Kapler can't catch

because (a) then he and Ned could really have a budding romance, and (b) having Kapler in the lineup wouldn't hurt the offense at all.

Kapler probably has a better arm than Kendall, too.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Who says he can't?

Is there any real doubt he's the emergency catcher?

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 12:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hmm, I don't know

I think Billy was the default emergency catcher the last couple of years, but yeah, it makes sense that Kapler would be the guy. He's definitely the guy who the Brewers wouldn't miss if he got hurt emergency catching.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was Gross last year

Seem to recall it being an issue in the 13 inning game at Wrigley.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right!

he of the good arm. Gross was also the 13th (or 14th, or whatever) pitcher, I think.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought

that Graffy was the emergency catcher last year?

Formerly "Ball and Glove"

by Stoa on Apr 2, 2008 1:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, but who's grittier?

Do you get more grit from being out of baseball and making the roster as a non-roster invitee, or from years of major league experience despite fading skills?

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 2, 2008 12:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Intern

Kapler and Counsell are so gritty that the Brewers have an intern whose only job is to follow them around with a broom.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:26 PM CDT to parent up   2 recs

yeah

of course you're right. but i've long since given up on reasonable lineup construction. I'm really psyched that ned has the cojones to go with Kendall at #9, and willing to forgive the rest of the conventional wisdom mistakes for that.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

Kapler is going to have to prove his worth today. He was supposed to be a good bench player and now he is hitting in the 2 hole for us against the Cubs. Depending on how this game goes, I'll be giving Yost some slack or will continue my intense dislike for his managerial decisions.

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

First of all I like Gwynn. But if he were the answer, Melvin would not have gone out to get Cameron.

Secondly, I think a platoon is fine too. Kapler is decent against lefties, and has a decent contact rate. Also it puts Gwynn in a position to impact the game late, as a pinch runner or lefty off the bench. He could also be a defensive replacement for Braun late.

I might swap JJ and Gabe when he starts (#2 and #7) but overall I don't have a problem with it.

by grant76 on Apr 2, 2008 1:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What

You didn't expect the Nedster to jerk Gwynn in an out of the lineup? If Gwynn gets consistent playing time and does well, how will they explain it when TG gets sent down after 25 games while Gross continues to suck up a roster spot.

And you're better off without Creen. He's the basketball version of Ron Zook.

by Getting Yosted on Apr 2, 2008 12:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If I had a signature

This would be it.

And you're better off without Creen. He's the basketball version of Ron Zook.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Depends

On a lot of things... if they can't lineup a good replacement for Crean, Marquette has the potential to be near the bottom of the Big East... especially if a lot of recruits decide to leave...

by Kyguy922 on Apr 2, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Go Panthers

Yeah, I don't have kind feelings toward Marquette, so we won't be able to commiserate :)

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

marquette

does marquette even have a baseball team? if they do, I'm pretty sure it's not NCAA D-1, 2, or 3, or NAIA. I always think it's fascinating when a school has a powerhouse in one sport and nothing in another.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe

I don't know about the basketball team, but they sure produce some fine dentists.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 2, 2008 12:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

As far as I know

The UW-Milwaukee Panthers are the only Division 1 team in the state.

(and as a UWM alum, I'm with Marty)

by drezdn on Apr 2, 2008 12:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yes, that's true

Parkside is the only D2 team, and then there's a conference full of D3 teams, like Stevens Point, Oshkosh, Whitewater, Superior, and a couple of others. (Jordan Zimmerman, a Nats draftee in the supp. 1st round last year, came from Stevens Point.)

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I am such a friggin' nerd

Here are all the WI schools in my database, which should include NCAA 1, 2, and 3, plus NAIA:

Beloit College
Cardinal Stritch
Carroll College (Wisconsin)
Carthage College
Concordia University (Wisconsin)
Edgewood College
Lakeland College
Lawrence University
Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Marian College (Wisconsin)
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Northland College
Ripon College
St. Norbert College
Viterbo
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin Parkside
University of Wisconsin Platteville
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin Stout
University of Wisconsin Superior
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Wisconsin Lutheran College

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

UW-Madison

I thought you forgot to include University of Wisconsin Madison on that list, but then I remembered we only have a club baseball team. :(

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

incidentally

one of the first baseball teams of any kind in Wisconsin was a UW-Madison team, right after the civil war.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have nothing against the NJCAA

but I already have 1119 teams in my database, and that's quite enough already.

seriously, though, one of my clients is making noises about wanting JC coverage, and that might be my big project for next season.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good luck with that

I'm sure you'll be even more frustrated with rampant misspellings and shoddy statkeeping.

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

no question

though, interestingly enough, i've found that many of the D2 and D3 teams I'm covering are much, much better than some sloppy D1 teams. My biggest concern is my hard drive -- the player database just crossed the 35,000 mark.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For some reason

I get the feeling the offense will need to score a lot to win today.

"He would have been among the league leaders in batting average for a majority of the season had he had enough plate appearances."

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 12:01 PM CDT   0 recs

FWIW

April is Soup's best month.

"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 Apr 2, 2008 12:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

We've only played one game, and we're 1 1/2 games up on Houston.

(If you haven't seen this yet, scroll down on the right sidebar to where the record is displayed. There's a link to "division standings," which pops right up without taking you to another page.)

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:38 PM CDT   0 recs

but...

you have to be on the home page to view that?? Is there anyway to have that information in the comments pages?

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yep, only on the home page

I might be able to put it on the comments pages. lemme check.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ask and ye shall receive

I put a few new things on the comments pages -- record, division standings, as well as the fanshots list.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 2, 2008 12:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sweeet!!!

Looks good thanks.

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wind blowing hard from right to left

Advantage: Brewers

I'm saying braun hits 2 bombs today.

by brewfan2 on Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Calling it now

I'll go with 3 from Braun today.

Fukudome goes hitless.

Ned Yost's Brewers: Braun Over Brains

by SRB on Apr 2, 2008 12:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My HR predictions...

Braun 1
Prince 2
&
Kapler 4 (Yost sees the matrix)

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gagne

He's on pace to give up more runs this year than the entire Angels pitching staff.

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 12:49 PM CDT   0 recs

Hopefully...

Yesterday woke up Gagne and he now has little windshield wipers installed on his glasses. He looked so stupid when he was fanning his face.

Watching Yovani pitch probably compares to driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

by TAPmoney on Apr 2, 2008 12:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Was that for the rain?

I thought he was getting the vapors...

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 2, 2008 8:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In his defense

He's also on pace to get 162 wins this season

by drezdn on Apr 2, 2008 12:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Vs. Fukudome

Is it a bigger disadvantage to a batter to have never seen a pitcher before, or for the pitcher to have very little information on the batter?

With Fukudome, I wonder if he's being helped mostly by the fact that there isn't a "book" on him yet. In spring training, he seemed to stop hitting as much as more games were played.

by drezdn on Apr 2, 2008 12:51 PM CDT   0 recs

New site

Hey, just wanted to say great job on the new site, very impressive!

Personally, I think we got hosed on that one! - Harry Doyle

by reverse24 on Apr 2, 2008 1:06 PM CDT   0 recs

MLB Radio

So what's the deal with MLB Radio? It didn't work on opening day, and I'm still not able to log in. It doesn't even give me the opportunity to log in. Anyone else having this issue, or know what I'm doing wrong?

by Getting Yosted on Apr 2, 2008 1:11 PM CDT   0 recs

Lost of Problems

I had that happen yesterday. Last year I had to install the AC3 codec or it wouldn't play, and on Opening day the feed just dropped and couldn't get back into their site.

by SgtClueLs on Apr 2, 2008 1:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In play, run(s)

Always a beautiful thing to see on Gameday for the first pitch to your leadoff hitter.

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 1:25 PM CDT   0 recs

Wow

He crushed it.

by oconnobe on Apr 2, 2008 1:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kapler

Now batting .173 against Lily

by Kyguy922 on Apr 2, 2008 1:25 PM CDT   0 recs

Braun

Hits it onto Waveland as well, but foul.

by oconnobe on Apr 2, 2008 1:27 PM CDT   0 recs

I called in sick to work today....

'Cause I think I have strep throat.

But it won't stop me from watching the Crew!

by behnke411 on Apr 2, 2008 1:34 PM CDT   0 recs

Live Blogging

I'm trying to live blog this game over at http://throwingcheese.blogspot.com.

It's a little difficult since I'm not actually WATCHING the game...

Regards, Bloody P

by bloodyp on Apr 2, 2008 1:35 PM CDT   0 recs

well then by all means...

I'll want to read your "live" blog!

by balldeagle on Apr 2, 2008 1:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh my god

jj must have missed the memo that the brewers weren't going to take any pitches today

by somethingvague on Apr 2, 2008 1:43 PM CDT   0 recs

malkmus

here is a strange little interview I just found where Stephen Malkmus big ups Ryan Braun and Corey Hart. Stop reading when he starts talking about the NBA (nobody bashes my Baron and gets away with it) but it's pretty cool to see how big of a Brewers fan he is.

by somethingvague on Apr 2, 2008 1:47 PM CDT   0 recs

First DP of the year

Nice of the defense to do that after Suppan walked Fukudome on four pitches.

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

by TheJay on Apr 2, 2008 1:51 PM CDT   0 recs

Hmmm

Would Braun have made either of Hall's plays today?

by oconnobe on Apr 2, 2008 1:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Love the GIDP

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on Apr 2, 2008 1:52 PM CDT   0 recs

HD-TV

i wish more games were televised in high-def .. ive become spoiled i guess

by BrewerBlue87 on Apr 2, 2008 1:52 PM CDT   0 recs

Does anybody with Charter HDTV know how it works when FSN does show the game in HD? Is there a separate channel created for that game on that day?

This site has the schedule, if anybody hasn't found it yet.

by cwgannon on Apr 2, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up