Thursday's Frosty Mug

by KLSnow on Jul 24, 2008 8:51 AM CDT

So...4-0 in Sabathia starts. 6-0 since the All-Star Break. BP Postseason Odds says the Brewers' postseason chances have gone up 35.7% in the last 7 days. Baseball Musings says the Cubs are collapsing. Drink your Frosty Mug with cautious optimism.

Win Expectancy Graph
BR Box Score

As The Brew Town Beat notes, Carsten Charles was (once again) in charge last night.

Mike Pagliarulo of Dugout Central is ready to crown Doug Melvin GM of the Year.

I'm a few days behind on this one, but over at Brewerfan.net Josh Flickinger compares the 2008 Brewers to the 1992 variety...and finds they have nothing in common.

The Derrick Turnbow saga continues. He's been sent back to Phoenix for tests and rehab after he didn't feel right coming back from the All-Star Break.

Everybody loves power rankings, right?
Bugs and Cranks has the Brewers at 8th (last week, also 8th) and offers some ridiculous advice.
Riding the Pine ranks the Brewers 5th (last week, 9th).

The Transaction Oracle is a few days behind the curve, and reviewed the Durham trade yesterday. They project him at .253/.342/.395 and offer the best description of his defense I've seen:

If he's not hitting well, Weeks's defense becomes tough to stomach and while Durham's defense looks like someone being beat to death with a butternut squash (TRANSACTION ORACLE SIMILE-METAPHOR MACHINE BROKEN), he's bringing some offense to the table.

Looking for a trip down bullpen memory lane? No less than 4 former Brewers (but no current ones) make Recondite Baseball's Top 20 in career Vulture Wins.

On injuries:

Nats 3B Aaron Boone is not recovering as expected from a calf strain and will undergo an MRI.
Tim Hudson left last night's game after 6 innings with elbow tightness.
Chipper Jones left last night's game in the fourth inning with a hamstring injury.

I can't decide if this is a drop in the bucket or an unprecedented reaction to violations involving the draft, but Major League Baseball fined the Cubs $500,000. It's also worth noting that I've never seen confirmation of what the Cubs actually did to merit the fine.

Rockin' the Red asks if Kyle Lohse will be a Type A free agent. He's gone 12-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 134.1 IP. If that's not a Type A free agent, there aren't many out there.

Here's a downer for your Thursday morning: Shin-Soo Choo is having the best year of his career in Cleveland, but still faces two years of military service in South Korea, starting in 2010 at the latest. Playing in the Olympics could have earned him an exemption, but he's ineligible because he's on a big league roster and out of options.

But, if it makes him (or you) feel any better, the Padres are like a busty redhead. I'm not sure I get it.

Remember last week, when I mentioned the Cardinals were hiring in their player development department, and jobs like that don't come along very often? The Nationals have proven my point by posting a much less interesting job.

Oh, and as promised, here's my Flickr page with pictures of Gorman's first two weeks at home.

Drink up.

0 recs | Comment 45 comments

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Loshe and Type A Free Agency

The rankings take into account the previous two years, and Loshe’s numbers weren’t as good last season: 9-12, 4.62 ERA. It’s possible he would be, but someone with a steady 4 ERA over the past two seasons could jump ahead of him.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by jihad on Jul 24, 2008 9:20 AM CDT 0 recs

True

But since no one knows what actually goes into the rankings, it’s possible Lohse will get super-crazy-extra-bonus points for not balking.

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

by TheJay on Jul 24, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

Upton Sinclair's on it!

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lohse

In the analysis I compare Kyle to other Type A pitchers using his past two seasons. His two year totals will most likely look something like 25-18, 4.12 ERA, 398 IP, and 233 K. With guys like Chuck James, Doug Davis, Tom Glavine, Andy Pettite, and Greg Maddux getting Type A status last off-season, I think the odds are in Kyle’s favor.

The numbers I used to project the rest of Lohse’s season were based on the ZiPS in-season projector, which figured he’d go 4-4 with a 4.18 ERA the rest of the way. He could easily do better than that the way he’s pitching now, so he has some room to regress a bit.

By the way, thanks for the link, KLSnow. It’s much appreciated!

Rockin' the Red

by rockin the red on Jul 24, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

CC was projected to give the Brewers 1-2 wins over the course of the season over what was in the rotation. Have we gotten that yet, or should we assume the sweep and say the Bush/McClung rotation spot would have won those 4 with 3 complete games?

by Getting Yosted on Jul 24, 2008 9:33 AM CDT 0 recs

Crap

I came here specifically to make exactly this point, and you beat me.

It’s not scientific, but I think you can make a pretty compelling case that without Sabbathia, the Crew wouldn’t have won last night or the game befor the All-Star Break.

Steve
http://nohuddleoffense.blogspot.com

by stigmo on Jul 24, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hey

that’s a pretty cute dog you got there, KL.

"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 Jul 24, 2008 10:38 AM CDT 0 recs

Thanks

It’s raining outside so he took a crap in the house this morning. Want to come clean it up?

Derek Jeter is day to day after being hit by a pitch and being gorilla press slammed by a Bizarro Ray.

by KLSnow on Jul 24, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

Love naming a dog after a Brewer

We named our dog Molly, I was after Paul Molitor, I would have preferred Molitor… but maybe we spelled it Moli, I don’t know.

Next dog I get, what should the name be? Carsten? Prince? Ned? Bernie? Uecker? Braunny?

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

by Kyguy922 on Jul 24, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

Durhmy

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

by TheJay on Jul 24, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Braunitsaurus Rex

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

by kirbir on Jul 24, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dude.

Seven in a row!!!

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 24, 2008 11:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Right.

But one was before the All-Star break, which makes it significantly less clutch.

Derek Jeter is day to day after being hit by a pitch and being gorilla press slammed by a Bizarro Ray.

by KLSnow on Jul 24, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

Indeed. They should have won four more during the break!

by Zeyes on Jul 24, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

classless

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

by verno329 on Jul 24, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

You have no concept

If they had lost that game before the break, no one could’ve relaxed ever again. Ever.

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

by TheJay on Jul 24, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Six in a row on the road

For the first time this century.

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

by TheJay on Jul 24, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

What is the record for consecutive road wins for both the Brewers and in the MLB?

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

by Kyguy922 on Jul 24, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

Since 1956

For the Brewers, 11, from Sept. 21, 1986 to April 20, 1987. The most consecutive road wins in one season is 9, from June 8-17, 1973.

In all of MLB, it’s the Tigers with 21 games from Sept. 18, 1983 to May 24, 1984. Their 17 consecutive wins on the road to start the 1984 season is the record streak in one season.

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

by TheJay on Jul 24, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up 1 recs

Cubs Sale

news
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSN2328665720080724

over a billion and its just after the 1st round…

good to see Selig’s boy Canning exit early on

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 11:26 AM CDT 0 recs

So that’s what.. at least 10 million a year since ye’World Series.

Buy now, as the price is only going to go up!

by SgtClueLs on Jul 24, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

this

is kind of exciting stuff for me right now. its a good sign that Cuban made it past the first phase and that Canning is outta there. I didnt want the Cubs ran by a Selig crony and Cuban has been our wet dream owner for awhile now

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up 0 recs

And finally

Jeff Spellcheck the Cubs big money draft pick from 06 might be getting the call up in time for the Brews series

I have no hopes for this kid although since his unearned promotion to AAA he has pitched very well

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 11:57 AM CDT 0 recs

seems like everybody plays well in Iowa

You think the Cubs have a deal with an upscale brothel in Des Moines?

Pie, Murton, now Samarzdija. If they don’t belong there, they dominate!

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 24, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

well Pie

and Murton kind of earned it- Pie bent Iowa over his knee last year and has been banged up all season long since leaving Chicago but yeah Samardija is a head scratcher. Some ppl think he was being forced to throw his secondary pitches to get them MLB ready but I think the guy is a bust who is having a nice little streak in in the PCL.

The thought of him vs Braun or even Bill Hall makes me cry a little but I could be wrong i guess

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah but Pie and Murton belong a level ABOVE Iowa

Spellcheck (I like that; Dougie Eyechart, Jeffie Spellcheck—what whould we call Grudz?) scares me. He has serious stuff.

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Spellcheck

thats what the few Cubs backers who like this guy say all the time “He has great stuff”

i’ve always countered that you think that stuff would have showed up in the results aka stats by now.

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

nah

it would be nice, of course, but the standard rebuttal is: “look at Randy Johnson’s minor league stats” I guess he always striking guys out, but man, those walk totals are scary.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 24, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well, he never really focused on baseball before

He’s different from the usual college pitcher. He definitely has a mid-90s fastball and a good slider, though. If he’s learned to use them, look out.

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

well

you could see him firsthand by our big series

word is they will insert him into the closer spot right away

kinda crazy if you ask me but it is the cubs so…

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Is Wood’s blister bigger than expected?

Coffee is for closers

by drezdn on Jul 24, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up 1 recs

it

just wont heal

by ACB on Jul 24, 2008 3:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

odd side note from Cards forums

The Hungarian broadcaster, I forget his name, talked about texting with Jim Edmonds during the game. He said he was with the rest of the Cubs watching. Some of the comments made it sound as if he had texted before from the dugout while the Cubs were playing.

by ol Pete on Jul 24, 2008 12:29 PM CDT 0 recs

I’ve heard some of the Brewers have Iphones, so maybe Jim Edmonds does too.

Coffee is for closers

by drezdn on Jul 24, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

It says what the Cubs did in the link, doesn't it?

Major League Baseball ruled that the Cubs violated a couple of baseball rules, including failing to report a signing to MLB’s New York offices and putting the player on the field before receiving approval for the signing from MLB offices.

I feel like I saw an even more specific report elsewhere, too.

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 1:15 PM CDT 0 recs

Requisite daily Big Leage Stew Brewers links

Vote: Are the Cards out of it?

More CC love.

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 2:37 PM CDT 0 recs

Are there really people out there that feel like this?

from THT:

My dream matchup this year would be the Sunday, September 28th battle between the Cubs and Brewers with the teams tied for first place and Sabathia facing Zambrano for all of the marbles. Goosebumps, baby! Oh wait, it’s almost certain that the loser of such a matchup would win the Wild Card anyway, and depending on how the first round pairings worked out, one team may decide to simply rest everyone, making it one of the most anticlimactic games of the year. DAMN YOU WILD CARD!!

I just don’t understand that point of view. Yeah, I’m totally bored with this season so far, aren’t you guys?

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 3:19 PM CDT 0 recs

"it's almost certain"

uh, it’s July.

If I had to bet, I’d put my money on the WC coming out of the Central. But the Mets, Phillies, and maybe Marlins aren’t going to roll over, either.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 25, 2008 12:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's almost certainly July!

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 25, 2008 12:21 AM CDT up 0 recs

How does CC's four-start run compare with others this season?

Dave Cameron at FanGraphs:

John Lackey, 6/11 to 6/29: 31.7 IP, 19 H, 7 BB, 29 K, 1.14 ERA
Dan Haren, 6/18 to 7/4: 28 IP, 18 H, 5 BB, 27 K, 0.96 ERA
Felix Hernandez, 5/31 to 6/17: 28.3 IP, 18 H, 5 BB, 29 K, 0.95 ERA
John Danks, 6/14 to 7/1: 26 IP, 18 H, 6 BB, 22 K, 0.69 ERA
Scott Kazmir, 5/15 to 5/31: 27 IP, 13 H, 7 BB, 27 K, 0.67 ERA
C.C. Sabathia, 7/8 to 7/24: 33 IP, 20 H, 8 BB, 31 K, 1.36 ERA
From a run prevention standpoint, he can’t quite match the best four start stretches of guys like Kazmir and Danks, though he made up for the difference in quality through sheer quantity of innings. I’d probably take Lackey’s run as the best of the bunch, since it came against AL competition, but Sabathia is certainly in the running.

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Jul 24, 2008 3:37 PM CDT 0 recs

Hm

Lackey’s run included three games against NL teams, including two games in NL parks. Some AL competition, that.

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

by TheJay on Jul 24, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

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