Friday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while not listening.

With the Brewers opening a nine game homestand tonight, it's quite possible we'll see Trevor Hoffman given a shot at save #600 before the end of August. Tom Haudricourt has a look at the controversy that could have developed but didn't between Hoffman and John Axford. The way they've handled the situation is a credit to both of them.

Of course, the Brewers would have to get to the ninth inning with a lead for any of that to be relevant, and against the Padres that will be a challenge. Dan Hayes noted that San Diego is 22-5 against the NL Central this season. They've also won 13 games in a row against the division: The last Central team to beat them was Houston on July 1. If you're looking for more on this weekend's series, here's the CBS Sports preview. We'll have our series preview later today.

The Brewers won't see Tony Gwynn Jr. this weekend, as he's done for the season with a fractured hammate bone. There's an outside chance they could see Jody Gerut: He signed a minor league deal with the Padres yesterday.

Barring a shocking turn of events, Prince Fielder will be in the lineup once again tonight. Fielder jammed his left wrist on a play in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game, but Tom Haudricourt says no tests were scheduled to determine the severity of the injury, which can only be taken as a good sign.

Let's say someone asked you to guess which Brewers would appear on Baseball America's list of the best tools in the major leagues. How many players would you have guessed before you got to Chris Capuano and Carlos Gomez? The list is out, and Capuano (second best pickoff move) and Gomez (third best defensive outfielder) are the only Brewers mentioned.

In the minors:

• The affiliates went 4-3 last night, with Luis Cruz going 3-for-4 with a double and a walkoff home run as Nashville took game two of a doubleheader from Colorado Springs, 8-7. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• If you've been reading the Notes you're probably already familiar with Dexter Bobo, the Brewers' AZL reliever with 35 strikeouts in 24.1 innings and an awesome name.
• We're a few weeks away from the end of the minor league season, and 13 teams appear ready to allow their AAA Player Development Contracts expire and hit the open market. For the second time this week, The Oklahoman lists the Brewers as a potential candidate to replace the Rangers in Oklahoma City.
• If you still think the Brewers cheaped out on the 2010 draft, here's another note to convince you otherwise: The North County News notes that they offered an above-slot deal and college tuition to 15th round pick Chris Bates, but he turned it down and went to college. (h/t Battlekow)
• Elsewhere on the draft, Adam McCalvy has the final recap of the Dylan Covey fiasco.

Is it a coincidence...or a curse? Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker notes that the Cardinals are mere percentage points better than the Brewers since the Crew released Jeff Suppan and the Cardinals took him on.

On power rankings: Call to the Pen has the Brewers holding steady at 21.

If you've got a moment this morning and a few dollars burning a hole in your pocket, take a look at the new and improved BCB store. All your favorite BCB shirts are in there, and the store now features free and improved shipping. I'm hoping to add a few new items in the coming days as well, so keep checking back.

Around baseball:

Astros: Placed infielder Jeff Keppinger on the DL with a broken toe.
Cardinals: Acquired third baseman Pedro Feliz and cash from the Astros for a minor leaguer.
Dodgers: Placed pitcher Vicente Padilla on the DL with a bulging disc in his neck.
Red Sox: Placed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the DL with in infection in his lower left leg.
Rockies: Designated reliever Randy Flores for assignment.
Yankees: Placed Lance Berkman on the DL with an ankle sprain.

This is probably the most interesting statistical note I've read all day, maybe all week: Cyril Morong has a look at batting average on balls in play, how it's changed over time and how it correlates with various other stats. In a close runner-up, DRaysBay crunched the numbers and discovered that Gabe Kapler is a much better hitter when facing NL teams.

Speaking of interesting things, this video featuring 20 Phillie Phanatic statues held my attention for the full six minutes last night, and lately that's a real challenge.

Poking fun at St. Louis never really gets old, which is why I laughed out loud when I saw this line in Gaslamp Ball's review of their recent trip:

Busch Stadium was warm and wet, like a crotch.

On this day in 1992, the Brewers beat the Blue Jays 16-3, plating 13 earned runs against David Wells in 4.1 innings. Wells made 489 career starts, but that's one of just three times he allowed ten or more runs, and the only time he allowed 13.

Happy birthday today to:

• Huntsville Star Nick Green, who turns 27.
• 1993-94 Brewer Tom Brunansky, who turns 50.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to move some cars.

Drink up.