When do I start worrying?

by stigmo on Apr 20, 2008 4:06 PM CDT

Usually, I have a rule of thumb to not start worrying about stats until May 1. I'm having a bit of a hard time doing that this year, however, with six of our regular starters batting .231 or worse.

Mendoza--I mean Weeks--can't get on base. Braun looks like he's having the dreaded sophomore slump. Hall's had some big hits but has been dreadful at times.

Now our ace is looking fragile (again), our #4-5 starters couldn't reach the 7th inning if their lives depended on it, and our $10 million closer has given up home runs to blow three ugly, ugly save attempts.

I recognize this is both irrational and emotional, so I apologize for that.

You all know far more about this great sport than I do. Who are you concerned about? And who will be fine?

0 recs | Comment 20 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Nobody knows

Lordz Of Vengeance....Sometimes I drink...Okay...I drink most of the time.

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Apr 20, 2008 4:47 PM CDT 0 recs

Hmm

Getting worried now is like worrying when the team doesn’t score in the first inning. That’s where we are in the season: it’s 1/9th done.

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

by TheJay on Apr 20, 2008 5:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Only person Im worried about is weeks

If he was drafted in the 20th round instead of #2 overall, he’d never be on this team. He swings way too hard for a leadoff hitter and he seems to refuse to lay down a bunt. I hate to think like ned, but it’s time to play the hot hand and have counsell play instead of weeks.

by brewfan2 on Apr 20, 2008 5:42 PM CDT 0 recs

I've been worried about Weeks for a year.

I keep waiting for the light to go and and for him to develop into the 270+ hitter he should be, but it doesn’t appear to be happening. At least he’s developed defensively to the point where he’s a positive on that score (at least so far this year). Too bad we can’t put Hart in both the leadoff and the #5 spot. :)

"He just needs to eat some bananas." - Lou Piniella

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 20, 2008 7:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

I agree

Rickie is the only guy whom I actually dread coming to bat, particularly in clutch situations.

I think this feeling is buttressed by the fact that he’s never really produced consistently, whereas all the other core players have.

by 400metres on Apr 20, 2008 9:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nothing to worry about

The fact that the heart of the lineup isn’t hitting well is actually a good thing. We’re 11-7 without our real offense producing, and they’re obviously going to start picking it up (none of them are low 200 hitters), meaning we’ll really start winning as the season progresses.

If we were 2-16 it would be cause for concern, but the team is playing quite well so far as a whole. Gagne has cost us one game and secured us six, he’s not a problem yet either.

Ned Yost's Brewers: Braun Over Brains

by SRB on Apr 20, 2008 6:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Gagne

He’s on pace to convert 54 of 81 save opportunities.

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

by TheJay on Apr 20, 2008 7:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

I posted this in the game thread, but...

look at this to make you feel better about Gagne.

by jihad on Apr 20, 2008 7:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

this too

by jihad on Apr 20, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

I feel

today was our first ‘Yosting,’ at the same time, I don’t blame Ned too much for thinking Gange could go 4 days in a row.

by Braunstalker on Apr 20, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Today would definately be a yosting.

by Hyatt on Apr 20, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Gagne

That’s on Ned. a reliever going for the 4th straight day. Could someone please show me a pitcher who can pitch 4 straight effectively? They should’ve gone to Riske or even Mota.

As for the hitters, I’m not worried about Braun, Fielder, or even Hardy for that matter. Weeks has never hit for a high average, and now he’s just in a funk. It’s time to switch him to either 7th or 9th, and put Hart, who blossomed in the leadoff spot last year, in it. As for CF production, we’ll get a .250 average with a homer a week and a SB a week from cameron when he gets back in a week and a half. Billy is fine where he is, and will hit .275.

Don’t panic

by Hyatt on Apr 20, 2008 7:15 PM CDT 0 recs

Not to defend Ned or anything,

because in general I prefer not to. But didn’t Cordero appear in 5-6 straight games last year?

"He just needs to eat some bananas." - Lou Piniella

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 20, 2008 7:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah

He had one stretch of six straight games and another of four straight.

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

by TheJay on Apr 20, 2008 7:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Furthermore, did any of you

Think Gagne was potentially too gassed to come out today? I sure didn’t. What did he throw yesterday, 10 pitches?

I understand that Ned’s paid to pay attention to his relievers’ schedules and everything, but even after the first homer, it never occurred to me to pull Gagne, though it sure the hell will the next time he gives up a solo shot with a two-run lead.

Gagne kind of reminds me of Sheets in how he seems to be such a victim of the long-ball. Remember the days when the Brewers had almost no offense (i.e, 2003 and ‘04) and Sheets would lose a beautifully pitched game because he would make one mistake and give up a homer in the 8th?

In any event, I really believe Gagne is going to be pretty reliable over the balance of the season.

by 400metres on Apr 20, 2008 9:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 21, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

eeek. I watched Gange as a starter. The smoke and mirrors approach was a disaster in that role. When he switched to relief he added 5 or 6 mph to his fastball if i remember correctly.

by Braunstalker on Apr 21, 2008 2:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

And he had no additional help whatsoever

cough Radomski cough

by SunglassesAtNight on Apr 21, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

New FanPost All FanPosts

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	85	56	.602	0	Lost 6
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	81	60	.574	4	Won 1
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	75	66	.531	10	Lost 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	74	67	.524	11	Lost 1
Cincinnati Red Reporter	63	78	.446	22	Won 2
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	60	80	.428	24.5	Won 1