This One's For All the Marbles
by Jeff Sackmann on Sep 28, 2008 8:38 AM CDT
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PrintYou all know the story.
One game to go. Phillies have clinched the NL East, so it's down to the Mets and the Brewers for the Wild Card. Both of us are sitting at 89-72. If both teams lose or both teams win, there will be a one-game playoff in New York, tomorrow if weather permits.
Sveum hasn't been shy about managing like it's game seven, and this game, of course, will be no different. Sabathia is going on three days rest (again), and this time he doesn't have the luxury of facing the Pirates.
Nearly everyone will be available out of the bullpen, though I'd imagine Dale will try to avoid using McClung (4 innings two days ago), Bush (3 innings yesterday) and Parra (2 innings yesterday). He might also hope we make it through without Villanueva, since we might need a starter tomorrow.
Probably lucky for us, the Cubs are starting Angel Guzman. It was supposed to be Carlos Zambrano, at least for a couple of innings. It sounds like the Cubs lineup will be primarily starters, but it's easy to imagine those guys coming out after five or six innings.
Regardless of who's batting for the Cubs, this is a game in which the offense absolutely has to step up. We're going to see a bunch of pitchers who aren't going to make the Cubs postseason roster. We can't count on Sabathia to shut them down, both because the Cubs offense is formidable, and because he's been pushed as hard as he ever has.
Our game starts at 1:05 CT, but the Mets and Marlins will get underway at 12:10 CT--again, weather permitting. Here's the BR Game Preview, and possibly just as important, the Shea Stadium weather report.
The matchup at Shea is Scott Olsen and Oliver Perez. Olsen has quietly put together a solid rebound year, though he hasn't had much success against the Mets--no quality starts in four tries this year, and he only pitched six complete one of those times.
Perez is the X-factor in that game, though. Like Santana yesterday, he's going on three days rest. He's only done so once before in his career (back in 2005), and it was a disaster. Not only that, he struggled last time out, managing only 4.1 innings on over 100 pitches. Perez gets his strikeouts, but walks are always the problem--he's over 100 this year. Maybe he'll match Santana's gutsy performance, but I'd put more money on the chance that he walks the bases loaded at least once.
I've read a few murmurs here and there about how great it is that we passed the 85-win threshold, or the 88-win threshold (that was a common optimistic projection, including my own, I think), or that we still have a chance to crack 90 wins.
The great thing about this, though, is that the number of wins doesn't matter. Number of wins is what you care about when nothing else is on the line. I'm sure that, in December, we can look back and be happy about an x-win season, but right now, we only care about one game.
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I hate...
…having to start CC again. Even if his arm doesn’t fall off and try to crawl into the dugout, I really don’t want to have, say, Suppan starting Game 1 of the playoffs if we make it.
"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!"
I love...
CC starting today. I’ll worry about the starter of Game 1 only if we do make it. Until they are actually there, all chips are in.
Oh hey don't get me wrong
CC HAS to start today. It would have been nice, though, if we didn’t need to.
"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!"
Biggest day for the Brewers/Brewer fans in over 25 years
So hopefully that means Bill E. Hall won’t be batting second…
i'd rather see counsell batting 2nd
sorry jeff for the lineup talk :) i know you love it haha
I untuck my shirt!
seriously
how many playoffs teams could have one of those clowns batting second and/or playing regularly?
September 15: Not a bad little Monday
perhaps
He batted 2nd in all games in the DS and WS that year, minus two games where he batted leadoff
:P
Situational Signature (8th/9th inning only): pleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendall
--NoahJ
by PagsBrewCrew on Sep 29, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
i'll be at the game cheering on the crew!
i’m so nervous and excited and ahhhhh :)
I untuck my shirt!
Go Brewers
I have not posted for a long time although I am always reading the game threads, anyway I thought if there was a time to post a comment, today is the day. As the great darron sutton used to say " lets get some runs today" go brewers!!. Today is one of the few times where I will be watching the brewer game over the packer game, and its not because I am more of of a packer fan, its just that most of the time when they are both playing, the brewers are already out of the race. One last time, from eau claire wisconsin, GO BREWERS!!!!!
If Ned were here
Would we have a Sunday lineup today?
"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 Sep 28, 2008 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
All or nothing game, I'd love to see Sveum step up and show some balls.
Here’s my all or nothing lineup…
1. Gwynn (RF)
2. Durham (2b)
3. Braun (LF)
4. Prince (1b)
5. Lamb (3b)
6. Cameron (CF)
7. Counsell (SS)
8. Kendall ©
9. CC
Not a lot of “potential” power, but its not like Corey or JJ have been much help of late. This lineup would show some balls and definitely a lot of criticism if they lost, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Wait. Is this a movie line?
I think Cameron said that to Mr. Rooney, pretending to be Sloane’s dad.
"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!"
well
if that lineup doesn’t work we can always just put it up on blocks and drive in reverse
September 15: Not a bad little Monday
LOLOLOL
Gwynn….Kendall….Counsell….Lamb…..cripes, in that lineup, you might as well hit CC third.
If he actualy went with a lineup that benched Hart and Hardy for Gwynn and Counsell….he should be fired before the first pitch.
by badgermaniac on Sep 28, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't realize Kendall was so protective of his name
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
by Jordan M on Sep 28, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's pouring here in NYC..
…I’d much rather have Perez go on3 days rest than get rained out and pitch tomorrow.
However, that would force the potential playoff to Tuesday
Which would give Yovani four days in between starts, and we’d have Clung and Suppan available. If the playoff happens/is Monday, we’re left with Yovani for about 3 innings and then Villy, Bush, and the setup crew.
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
Revised
Which would give Yovani four days in between starts, and we’d have Clung and Suppan available.
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
In that case, I condone Suppan pitching as often as possible.
Lordz Of Vengeance....If I'm not drunk, I'm at work.
I am also pro-Rodgers.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Sep 28, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Lets the Brewers play for themselves
Without the distraction of following the other game.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
It would suck if they played tonight, though
If they’d lose before the Brewers win, it would be priceless to hear Uke’s reaction and it’d be a lot more fun that way. But, we’ll take it any way we can get it.
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
Guzman
Guzman has a 7.04 ERA in five relief appearances since being called up from Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 1. The right-hander gave up three runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning in a the Cubs’ home loss to the Brewers on Sept. 17.
Fortunately, Fredi Gonzalez has elected to not start Hanley Ramirez
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
Don’t you mean UNfortunately?
Lordz Of Vengeance....If I'm not drunk, I'm at work.
I am also pro-Rodgers.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Sep 28, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I was doing that sarcasm thing
There was more in the non-subject portion of the comment clarifying my position, but it got eaten, apparently.
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
okay then.
Lordz Of Vengeance....If I'm not drunk, I'm at work.
I am also pro-Rodgers.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Sep 28, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Mets game notes
Even the Mets PR department must be feeling the jitters. The Mets game notes say that fifteen years ago tomorrow Jeff Kent drove in Eddie MURPHY with the winning run in extra innings. Geez……..you are a HOFer and they still cant get the name right. Eddie never really got the respect he deserved no matter where he played.
true
don’t get an Orioles fan started on him. It goes to show how much the media can affect a players image.
September 15: Not a bad little Monday
well..
i think Eddie Murphy was in a baseball movie once…
Situational Signature (8th/9th inning only): pleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendallpleasenotkendall
--NoahJ
by PagsBrewCrew on Sep 29, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions
indiscriminate name replacement
now if they called him Rodney Murphy, he’d really get no respect.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Sep 29, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Lineups
Soriano, LF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Johnson, CF
Hoffpauir, RF
Cedeno, 2B
Blanco, C
Guzman, P
The Brewers have the usual vRHP lineup. Just gotta win no matter who’s playing.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
Have to score 1st
And let CC take it from there. The 1st inning is key for CC. Can’t repeat what Sheets did yesterday.
So
is anyone nervous? I feel like a mental patient today. At least the Pack started strong.
September 15: Not a bad little Monday
Im getting SUN network on Fox. I switched to cable and its on there. Thankfully I have both. Maybe it will switch at 1PM
Ch, 656 has Craig Coshun's soothing voice for some reason
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
No matter the result of today's game
The 2008 Honkbal Playoffs are still going on.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
Brewers and Mets are starting at the exact same time
Hopefully they lose fast, making the win seem so much sweeter.
Sat: George 2 (37, missed catch, fielding) Fri: George (35, throw) Tues: George (34, throw)
I hope the Crew win today for...
…the good people who make up the staff at McGillycuddy’s in Milwaukee; who treated my girlfriend and I like royalty when we were visiting Milwaukee for the first time this summer.
Thank you for the free shots of Beam boys. You deserve this one today.
1 2 3
for the MArlins in the top of the 1st
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
I dont know if I should be on my computer when watching this game
100% concentration on the game itself… absorb every image, every reaction, every fan, every horrible sign made… Brew Crew faithful… this is the most important day of my life… and that is pathetic to say that, since I have no control over what happens!
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
Got 'em
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Sep 28, 2008 6:03 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.12.2012 at 7:02 PM CST)
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