Game Thread #29: Brewers (16-12) at Astros (13-16)

by Jeff Sackmann on May 2, 2008 5:00 PM CDT in Game Threads

It's Carlos Villanueva vs. Roy Oswalt. Last year, that would've sounded like a mismatch, and if it still sounds like it's lopsided, it might be in the other direction. Villa has give us two straight outings with 6+ innings and 2 ER, while Oswalt has an ERA of 5.75.

That said, I don't think it's time to talk about Oswalt being toast. He's been unlucky in just about every possible way: very few popups (Rickie will help that), and a disproportionate number of fly balls leaving the part. Summed up in the Hardball Times stat xFIP, Oswalt *should* have an ERA more like 3.64. ZiPS projected 3.48, so that makes a lot more sense.

Here's the BR Game Preview. Game time is 7:05 CT.

Project-a-tron trusts ZiPS more than a few flukish bad starts in April, so here's what it spits out:

Astros 4.6
Brewers 4.2
Brewers WinExp: 42.99%

Go Brewers!

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A few flukish bad starts

Let’s make it a lucky 7.

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

by TheJay on May 2, 2008 5:09 PM CDT 0 recs

Everyone still with us?

Have we all survived Black Friday?

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on May 2, 2008 5:09 PM CDT 0 recs

sorta

It’s Saturday here as of 15 minutes ago, so I can at least tell you that the world hasn’t ended.

by Zeyes on May 2, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

France?

"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 May 2, 2008 5:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

close

one over to the east.

by Zeyes on May 2, 2008 5:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Greenland?

Kidding! Just kidding!

"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 May 2, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

No France is where Zeyes people

hold their victory parades ;) lol

Its funny Tragedy plus time does equal comedy

Its all about the Bullpen this season that is the key.

by WSB Chris on May 2, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not me

With Gallardo’s injury, it’s imperative that we put Ben Sheets in a giant protective bubble.

(Click the link, you’ll be glad you did.)

"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 May 2, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

...of Scientology

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on May 2, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

I can be convinced.

"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 May 2, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Then again

When Jenna Elfman owes her conversion to scientology to Murder, She Wrote...I’m sorry, Catherine, I don’t think I can go that far.

"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 May 2, 2008 5:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

wow, that was traumatizing

I clicked the link without realizing my computer is playing a piano sonata. the mix was…interesting.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on May 2, 2008 5:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

You were enturbulated

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on May 2, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

It's DJ Jazzy Jeff!

"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 May 2, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

And the Fresh Prince of First Base?

by Zeyes on May 2, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm in dude.

Won’t it be extra fun when we win the division without one of our best pitchers?

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 6:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Apropos of nothing

The Brewers have a 26.3% chance of making the playoffs.

"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 May 2, 2008 6:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Wow.

That’s up over the last few days. Either because of winning 2 of 3 in Wrigley (again), or because they really like Dave Bush in the rotation.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 6:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Gallardo is down, but our spirits are high!

MILWAUKEE!!!

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 6:26 PM CDT 0 recs

For the record, my thing is big, fat steaks and burgers.

And no, I can’t hit a ball.

And I’m ok with that.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dude if I ever meet you

I would like to buy you a beer just for finding that video

Thanks

Its all about the Bullpen this season that is the key.

by WSB Chris on May 2, 2008 6:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

awesome.

anybody know what year that’s from?

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on May 2, 2008 6:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not sure the date (the below site say 1982)

But here’s the whole song in its glorious entirety:

Come See What’s Brewin’

Impossible to feel down with this on repeat!

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 7:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I remember seeing it back then, but I can't give you a year.

They also broke it out years later for commercials, no doubt trying to sell tickets based on the viewers nostalgia for the late 70’s early 80’s period of relative success…

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hardly newsworthy

But it’s the normal lineup out there tonight. Plus, the Brewers actually have more .300 hitters (Hart, Kendall) than their opponent (Berkman)! That’s got to be a first in a while, kind of like having fewer hitters in the .100’s. :)

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

by TheJay on May 2, 2008 6:26 PM CDT 0 recs

Common sense tells me the odds of winning any particular game

aren’t really any higher when you have 2 guys over .300 than when those same guys are hitting .285 or .290, Yet psychologically, I feel much better about our chances after seeing a couple of .300+ figures in the lineup.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 6:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

So how much more likely is it that LaPorta and/or Gamel will be dealt this season now that Gallardo is gone?

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 6:43 PM CDT 0 recs

Alot

I mentioned Burnett in the other thread, someone even through Halladay into the mix. Joe Blanton wouldn’t be a bad guy to look at now, either.

Whenever prince is at first, he should charge the mound and yell "MEAT!"

by jihad on May 2, 2008 6:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

No. Can’t trade LaPorta. No fucking way.

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

by Dikembe Meiztombo on May 2, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Gamel, though..

Whenever prince is at first, he should charge the mound and yell "MEAT!"

by jihad on May 2, 2008 7:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

He should be moved asap.

He's the round mound of profound

by drezdn on May 2, 2008 7:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

If they have no hope for him defensively, I agree he should be moved.

But if he gets to the point where he can be even an average 3rd baseman in the field, then I think you have to try to keep him.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good point. Let’s see what Don Money can do for him.

He's the round mound of profound

by drezdn on May 2, 2008 7:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Are we really

going to get anyone significantly better than Bush to justify trading away talent?

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 7:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think so...

but there are some intelligent people who disagree.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

I wouldn't think so either, but...

I also would’ve figured no one would have any interest in Turnbow. However, Melvin mentioned on the pre-game show that he had received 3 calls today regarding him, not saying they were offering much, but hey, some interest is better than no interest.

"He's been very, very impressive," Yost said. "I mean really impressive. I mean really, really impressive."

by MadJimiBrewha on May 2, 2008 7:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

interesting.

probably along the lines of, “if you pay his salary and mow my lawn for the next six months, we’ll take him.”

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on May 2, 2008 7:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oh, and you have to wear a t-shirt saying I'm your hero while mowing my lawn.

And fake antlers.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

They're probably a couple of teams offering to trade their untradeable merchandise for ours.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

And that’s how Matt Wise returned to the Brewers

He's the round mound of profound

by drezdn on May 2, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

I would be psyched

about getting Wise back.

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 7:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's how we got Mota

So far, that hasn’t worked out so bad.

"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 May 2, 2008 7:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

BASEBALL

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

by Dikembe Meiztombo on May 2, 2008 7:06 PM CDT 0 recs

Hey

Did I mention how roguejim fucked me over yesterday?

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

by Dikembe Meiztombo on May 2, 2008 7:07 PM CDT 0 recs

FIGURATIVELY, folks. Figuratively.

Hardy Fox Hart.

"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 May 2, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dude.

I think you have to take responsibility for 1) believing everything that RJ says, and 2) not verifying before cutting Mr. Weeks.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

It is my fault. I’ve accepted that.

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

by Dikembe Meiztombo on May 2, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Once my buddies and I talked a drunk guy into drafting Fred Lane (RB, Carolina) at a fantasy football draft.

Lane was dead at the time.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wow

Now THAT’S a flyer.

"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 May 2, 2008 7:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Deep Sleeper.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Zing!

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

DAMMIT

That’s the word I was looking for. Crap.

"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 May 2, 2008 7:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Besides

it’s your own fault for not confirming with the mainstream media. :)

"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 May 2, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

He stopped believing them when they were so mean to Hillary...

(Joke.)
(Ok, bad joke).

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

bastard

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

by Dikembe Meiztombo on May 2, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hey, what happened to "It's my fault, I've accepted that"?

Don’t shoot the messenger. Even if the message is entirely fictional. :)

"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 May 2, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's Magnificent Bastard.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Rickie on 2nd...

Here we go boys…

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Braun!!!

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 7:12 PM CDT 0 recs

There we go

Now this is the Braun I learned to love last year.

"He's been very, very impressive," Yost said. "I mean really impressive. I mean really, really impressive."

by MadJimiBrewha on May 2, 2008 7:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Braunie.

Let’s stomp these guys. Time to take out some frustration.

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

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 2, 2008 7:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Cubs vs. St. Louis

Who do you root for?

He's the round mound of profound

by drezdn on May 2, 2008 7:23 PM CDT 0 recs

Is there any question?

"My thing is that you guys eat meat all day and you can't hit a ball. That's my thing." - P. Fielder

by SRB on May 2, 2008 7:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cardinals

1. The Troll’s put me in a bad mood.
2. The Cubs are probably more talented than the Cardinals.
3. Although I’ve never been there, I think I’d like St. Louis.

"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 May 2, 2008 7:26 PM CDT up 0 recs