Game Thread #73: Orioles (37-34) at Brewers (39-33)

by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 20, 2008 4:18 PM CDT in Game Threads

The Brewers are on a tear, to the point that we've more or less canceled out the disappointing start. 39-33 is an 88-win pace, which may well turn out to be enough for the wildcard, and is certainly in line with (or better than) pre-season expectations.

Oddly enough, the Orioles are on something of a tear as well. They've won five of their last six, which would be more impressive if those games weren't against the Pirates and Astros. Before that, they lost a series to the Red Sox and took 2 out of three from the Twins and Blue Jays.

The matchup tonight is youngster Radhames Liz against Jeff Suppan. Supp's ERA is down to 3.68, including a sparkling 2.35 in his last seven starts. (I know, "sparkling" is a cliche, but I put some glitter on my monitor before writing this post, so I mean it literally. Brew Crew Ball may be an interactive gangbang, but it is a cliche-free zone. We never try to do too much with it.)

Game time is 7:05 CT, and here's the BR Game Preview.

Go Brewers!

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walk off HR

Cubs win

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

by Kyguy922 on Jun 20, 2008 4:24 PM CDT 0 recs

You forgot the part where it was off of Evan Frederickson and Cutter Dykstra

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jun 20, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cevan Fredstra?

I hate Scott Linebrink. Wonder if Evan throws a Cutter?

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

No, but Nails' real first name is Frederick

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jun 20, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

it took me a second to figure out what you meant...

...since nobody had connected Linebrink to the extra picks in a while. I never doubted the possible quality of those picks, but it’s a lot easier to get on board now that we’ve traded Inman and Garrison for real people.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 20, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nobody's really noticed

but Garrison is actually having a really good year for a guy who was considered a fringy lefty.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jun 20, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Inman

has a 3.00 ERA, 81 Ks so far. Hopefully Frederickson makes us forget about those two.

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

And Cutter

how could I forget?!?11

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

indeed he is

I had it in my head he was a groundball specialist though.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 20, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Mike Ramlow apparently not in the bullpen anymore

He gets the start tonight for West Virginia (6:00). I think he’s kinda under the radar, check out the numbers this year.

2.18 ERA, almost a strikeout per inning his 45 innings, only 6 walks, 1.97 GO/AO ratio.

A Brewerfan.net scouting report tells me he can hit the low 90s with the fastball, and a 6’6”, 185 pound frame suggests he could certainly could add a few MPHs to that fastball. I’m going to keep an eye on that game tonight.

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 5:08 PM CDT 0 recs

Ramlow

I started a thread on him awhile back. I like him too; I had him listed on the Prospects sidebar until v2.0 came out.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jun 20, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

And I commented in it

smooth move not remembering that. I remembered a thread about him and I didn’t look it up. The scouting report I was referencing there is here. Regardless, he’s certainly interesting. Those are some nice numbers. Eat a little, buddy!

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, and Mass Haas mentioned in that thread that Ramlow’s weight was actually revised downward to 170. 6’6", 170 lbs.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jun 20, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Any insight on the starter/closer switch?

He was moved to the bullpen and racked up 7 saves. Now he’s starting again, or is this just a temporary thing?

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 6:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ouch

Bad first inning for Ramlow:

Kannapolis Bottom 1st

Dale Mollenhauer singles on a ground ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl.
Sergio Morales singles on a ground ball to left fielder Eric Fryer. Dale Mollenhauer to 2nd.
Jim Gallagher homers (6) on a fly ball to right field. Dale Mollenhauer scores. Sergio Morales scores.
Mark Fleisher doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Eric Fryer.
Logan Johnson grounds out, shortstop Matt Cline to first baseman Curt Rindal. Mark Fleisher to 3rd.
Lee Cruz strikes out swinging.
Anderson Gomes doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Eric Fryer. Mark Fleisher scores.
Matt Inouye flies out to center fielder Lee Haydel.

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 6:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Settled down after that

Final line: 5.7 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR.

Not disastrous. I hope he gets some more shots.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jun 20, 2008 7:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

tonight, everything's relative.

by PagsBrewCrew on Jun 20, 2008 8:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

wow

he is as slight as me. A new favorite prospect!

by Braunstalker on Jun 20, 2008 6:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Another Interesting Link

The Hardball Times has a review of Out of the Park Baseball on their site. The author simmed the 2008 season- the Brewers won the NL Central with 94 wins, the Cubs had 82. The OPS leaders were also posted, and I skimmed it for Brewers. Given the 94 wins I wasn’t surprised to see three listed. They are:

Ryan Braun .354 average, 42 homers
Prince Fielder .297 average, 37 homers
Russell Branyan .251 average, tied for third in the majors with 46 homers!

Out of the Park baseball is a believer in the Muscle now, too!

by jihad on Jun 20, 2008 5:49 PM CDT 0 recs

A little conservative

but I’ll take it!

"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 Jun 20, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Anyone play OOP?

I’ve been playing Baseball Mogul for a few years now and love it but was considering trying out the new OOP. I’ve heard its great but is a little difficult to get going. Anyone play either?

Can't pitch Gagne in rain. He’s like the B-2 bomber of baseball.--TheJay

by verno329 on Jun 20, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

FSN ran a story on Eddie Waitkus

of the 1950 Phillies. The average age of the team was 26. They won the pennant that year! They had a phenomenal pitcher in Robin Roberts and a group of reliable starters. Richie Ashburn, Dick Sisler, Del Ennis. Damn! Sounds a lot like the You-Know-Whos…...

Here’s more, if you’re the least bit curious…..

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1950.shtml

by heybatterbatter on Jun 20, 2008 6:01 PM CDT 0 recs