Monday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Oct 3, 2011 11:16 AM CDT
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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Some things to read while starting a new fashion trend.
Hopefully there are still more moments to come, but this weekend has to rank among the best in Brewer history. All four MLB Division Series are moving to new venues today and the Brewers are the only team carrying a 2-0 lead. Jeff Passan of Yahoo says they've "acquired the feel of the team nobody wants to face." (h/t Colin Fly) Miller Park Drunk is trying not to get too excited, but team employees gave Mark Attanasio an impromptu ovation as he departed last night's game.
Ryan Braun was the star again yesterday, becoming just the tenth major leaguer ever to collect three hits in each of his team's first two playoff games. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com says Braun might be the "best right handed hitter I've ever covered." He was named MLB.com's Performer of the Game.
Meanwhile, yesterday's game featured another set of headscratching decisions for Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson. He left Brad Ziegler in despite the fact that he allowed six consecutive batters to reach, tying the record for a postseason appearance where no outs were recorded. And, as Jordan Schelling notes, he was presented three spots this weekend where a lefty was due up and first base was open. He intentionally walked Mark Kotsay and pitched to Prince Fielder twice.
Elsewhere in interesting decisions: Starting Zack Greinke on short rest didn't pay off for the Crew yesterday as he went just five innings and allowed four runs on eight hits, three of which left the yard. Jacob Peterson of Beyond the Box Score has a look at how Greinke's balls in play compare to other NL playoff aces, while Ben Badler of Baseball America has a critique of the way he pitched to Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
Here's a nice example of how times have changed over the years: A lot was made of the decision to start Greinke on three days rest, which he's now done three times in his career. Warren Spahn did it 282 times.
Jonathan Lucroy got a lot of attention yesterday, as his squeeze bunt plated the eventual winning run. He didn't want to talk about comments made by Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy, who called him "a guy who can't really hit."
Other notes from the field:
- Takashi Saito is the oldest Brewer ever to win a postseason game, and the oldest in the majors since Kenny Rogers in 2006.
- Ryan Braun's home run was his first ever in the playoffs.
- We have links to video highlights of four of yesterday's five turning points.
- Yuniesky Betancourt's walk was only his fourth non-intentional four pitch free pass of 2011.
- John Axford hit 98 on the gun while pitching the ninth yesterday.
- Braun, Ziegler and Lucroy are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
- Here's a transcript of Ron Roenicke's postgame comments.
- 44,066 paid to see yesterday's game, meaning 240,101 fans bought tickets for either a Brewer, Packer or Badger game this weekend. That's one in roughly 24 Wisconsinites.
- The Italian won the Sausage Race.
- Colin Fly caught a picture of cars waiting in line to tailgate.
- The JS had reporters outside with notes on ticket resales, standing room only spots, a minor car accident and fans in Packer apparel at Miller Park.
Here are the times for yesterday's home run trots, via Larry Granillo of Baseball Prospectus:
| Hitter | Trot Time |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 20.66 seconds |
| Chris Young | 20.8 seconds |
| Ryan Braun | 22.44 seconds |
| Justin Upton | 24.11 seconds |
The Brewers are in Arizona this morning and play resumes there tomorrow. Both tomorrow and Wednesday's game (if necessary) are scheduled to start at 8:30 Central time (FanShot), which will make for some fun late nights around here. Game 3 will be broadcast on TNT, not TBS. If you're still considering the possibility of making the trip, apparently there are still $12 tickets available for this week's games.
Here's another reason to be happy the Brewers have run out to an early lead: Joe West will be tomorrow's home plate umpire, so who knows what the strike zone will look like.
Shaun Marcum is taking the mound for game three, and told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com he's not concerned about pitching away from home. His ERA has been two and a half runs lower (2.21 vs 4.81) on the road this season.
"Beast Mode" is becoming one of the defining storylines of this Brewer postseason. Tom Haudricourt has a story on the national media's reaction to seeing it for the first time. Robin Yount did it after his first pitch yesterday and so did Zack Greinke after his base hit, leading to this review from Ryan Braun. Rickie Weeks did it after his triple yesterday, and Adam McCalvy said he's "never seen anything like that from him."
Prince Fielder had a hit, scored a run and drove one in yesterday. He was our final regular season Brewer of the Week.
The Nyjer Morgan Golden Era continues, and now it has a new home: Morgan launched a website over the weekend (FanShot).
In the minors:
- Seedlings to Stars has Taylor Green #96 on their list of baseball's top 100 prospects.
If you're looking for more coverage of this weekend's games, be sure to go back and check out Sunday's special playoff Mug. There was simply too much going on for me to take a day off at this point.
I must admit, I'm really enjoying having all the MLB.com writers (McCalvy, Schelling, Bastian and Rhett Bollinger) covering this series. That's a lot of eyes watching for interesting angles, and they use Twitter to make fun of each other in the airport.
If you'd like more Brewer content today but you're sick of reading, this week's View From Bernie's Chalet podcast is up. It was recorded late last week, but better late than never.
I don't have any transactions to report, so today's musical interlude is my favorite song off the new TMBG album:
I was asleep by the time it ended, but this morning I'm hearing the Cardinals came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Phillies and send their series back to St. Louis tied at 1. You already know that and much more if you've read this morning's edition of Around the MLB Playoffs.
There's another headline from that game, however, that I think might draw more attention going forward. Tony LaRussa was interviewed during the game by a TBS crew and called out the umpires for calling two different strike zones based on who was at the plate. As is usually the case with a TLR accusation, there doesn't appear to be any substance to the charges. LaRussa will almost certainly be fined for the comments, but saying something like that on camera during a nationally televised game puts him in somewhat uncharted territory.
I don't want to stare, but I just can't look away...Lookout Landing has today's list of playoff headline puns.
This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History covers one of the defining moments in franchise history, as the 1982 Brewers clinched a postseason appearance on the season's final day. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that it's also the anniversary of the final major league game of several notable former Brewers:
| Player | Season |
| Hank Aaron | 1976 |
| Sal Bando | 1981* |
| Jim Gantner | 1992 |
| Robin Yount | 1993 |
* - It was only the final regular season game for Bando. He played in all five games of that season's ALDS.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting back in the van.
Drink up.
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McCalvy
Seems like the kind of guy that would be cool to hang out with. Probably why I like his writing so much.
by E Tyme on Oct 3, 2011 11:43 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Mancrush!
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Oct 3, 2011 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Good thing it wasn't Bush League All Star talking about McCalvy.
He’s already making Tiger Woods look like someone who’s good at committing to one relationship.
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
I wonder what Haudricourt would say if he knew what kind of feelings McCalvy was evoking in fans
Then again, Tommy’s house is in OV, and he’s probably used to having empty beer can garland made for him at Christmas time, so maybe he wouldn’t mind.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Oct 3, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Now now!
I love you YAR NIVEK!
That dog just won't hunt.
by Bush League All Star on Oct 3, 2011 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
ipk
huh. not only did he say lucroy couldn’t hit, he said “There was a guy who can’t really hit, and Gallardo can swing it a little bit, so there was no thought at all, for me at least.” so i guess he was more worried about facing a guy that hit .221 instead of .265.
i guess that’s the kind of mentality a pitcher needs, i suppose.
I disagree that starting Zach didn't work
He wasn’t dominate but he left with the game tied after 5 and turned the game over to the bullpen who shut it down. The Brewers won yet another game started by Zach at Miller Park.
by Junked on Oct 3, 2011 11:45 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
It's Zack, not Zach
And you really think he was the only rested pitcher on staff who could’ve held the Diamondbacks to four runs over five innings?
Now that's great tasting chicken!
No
For me, anyway.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Oct 3, 2011 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
No
But he was the only pitcher who is very vocal about not being taken out of his comfort zone of pitching every 5 days and who was a huge question mark how he would handle the added pressure/scrutiny/press demands. Bullpen usage isn’t an issue in this series because they never play more than two games in a row and the team goes at least 6 deep in trustworthy bullpen arms, so it wasn’t an issue if he only went 4 innings so long as he left with the team in the game.
RRR put Greinke in the best mental situation he was going to get, and I think it worked out as well as RRR could have hoped. They kept Greinke on schedule, got his feet wet in the playoffs with a positive experience to build on and won the game. Greinke needs a certain level of hand-holding, and we can’t suddenly be shocked that the manager is going to do just that.
Right now we’re the douchebags in the bleachers from Major League arguing if the ball was too high. Who f’n cares, the Brewers won.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Oct 3, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Unless Greinke pitches game five of this series, his routine is going to be disrupted between now and game one of the NLCS.
I agree that the team is winning so it’s not a major issue.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
At the very least
Greinke lost his “I pitch when I say I want to pitch” card after yesterday.
That’s probably a good thing.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
In context
We also have to see how Marcum does. He’s been better on the road this year as we all know. If he pitches well on Tuesday, then the entire decision looks a lot better in context.
‘domiNANT’ – if you dominate, you’re dominant.
by MillerParkSouth on Oct 3, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
They ended up winning, so I don't see how it didn't work.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
With that kind of logic
Playing Betancourt at SS every game is working out.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
by sjlee on Oct 3, 2011 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
The decision to start Betancourt in Games 1 and 2 worked out, yes.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Think of it as analogous to evaluating a trade
You either evaluate it: 1) based on the decision prior to the results, or 2) based on the subsequent results.
Clearly nobody was questioning starting Greinke in Game 2 on Saturday, and clearly the Brewers ended up winning the game. So, what are we complaining about again…?
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Nobody?
I think a few people raised the concern…and I wasn’t too sure how he’d do on back-to-back short rest.
As far as Betancourt starting at SS, I think the Brewers are winning in spite of him. I wouldn’t really call it “working out”, but then again, it might just be semantics.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Well they sure were quiet about it if people were actually concerned...
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Really?
You didn’t see the front page post where I responded to people who raised the concern?
Now that's great tasting chicken!
Wasn't that in response to Diamondbacks fans saying it meant the Brewers weren't confident?
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 4, 2011 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't see anybody posting here that Greinke shouldn't start Game 2.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
Being concerned isn't the same as saying "he shouldn't start"
Yeah, I didn't see the beneifit of it
He can only go once in the series, why would you want him going on short rest when he could go on full rest? Especially when he could go Game 3 than Game 1 of the NLCS on normal rest.
That said, if Greinke says he’s OK to pitch, its not like I was really vocal at the time in saying that he couldn’t. I have no idea.
Like Rubie said, he used up his “No seriously Ron, I’m good to go” card for the 2011 postseason.
Get a ife broseph
Kennedy has been one of my favorites this year
but…what the hell?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
I love the airport trash talk...thanks for sharing with the non-Twitterers.
And the Yount beast mode was awesome!
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
Did anyone buy one of those terrible shirts?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Oct 3, 2011 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry about the typo (twice) Shouldv'e used ZG
The fact they won and lets them set up Marcum to start Tuesday on the road seems like the decision worked. He left with a tie game. He didn’t have to be bailed out and didn’t tax the bullpen. Do I think other starters could have done the same? Yes.
I don't think the decision was a disaster.
But I think Marcum could’ve done as much or better than Greinke did, and would’ve left the Brewers with Greinke fully rested for tomorrow.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
I am just happy that Marcum will be pitching in AZ
But I am very superstitious.
I hate Yuni.
by BrewCrewBrian on Oct 3, 2011 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I liked the idea of pitching Marcum between G&G for the change of pace, but I think RRR was really swayed by the home road splits. Zack pitched well at home and Marcum pitched well on the road and I know there are a lot of different splits, but I think to RRR that was the split that counted.
Greinke wasn’t fantastic but he wasn’t a disaster either. In fact, you kind of got what you expected: 5 innings 0 walks and 7 K. Its those pesky balls in play that we never know about with Greinke.
The other thing is that the Fantastic Flamethrowers all got to pitch to keep from getting rusty. That might not have happened if Marcum had gone eight.
It's not so much the balls in play
as the balls blasted out of play.
5 IP, 4 runs is not a good start
Just because the offense did well doesn’t mean it was a good decision or a good performance. If the offense isn’t clicking on all cylinders, that could have cost the Brewers the game.
And with the way he was missing with his fastball
it could’ve easily been six or seven runs.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
by Rubie Q on Oct 3, 2011 12:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe the Brewers only score 3 R tomorrow but Marcum holds Arizona to 2 R? Absolutely no reason to second guess a game that the Brewers won.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely no reason to second guess a game that the Brewers won.
That’d make for an awfully boring website.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
Well, that's probably true.
Although if there’s ever time for 100% positivity I think an undefeated march into the playoffs is a pretty good one.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know if the Upton AB is different with more rest
Seems like Greinke is most vulnerable when he gets behind a good hitter and is only trying to get a fastball over the plate, and that fastball is drilled.
Get a ife broseph
Nyjer Morgan's website
sorry, over the line. Its been past ridiculous, but the site is really ludicrous. But, if I was him, I’d probably try to make as much money as I could in this window of opportunity, so I understand it.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
Tony LaRussa?
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree but the guy is playing well and we are winning.
If the team was losing or he was getting into fights(that little almost fight with the Cards doesn’t quite count) I would want him gone. Probably a lot like Nats fans felt about him.
Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.
Hope they don't make the same mistake the Nats did
Morgan was had a 5.2 WAR season in 2009, and they gave him away for nothing in because Riggleman didn’t want him on the team.
Riggleman then quits half way into the 2011 season, they win 80 games with Rick Ankiel playing CF.
Get a ife broseph
Don't want to be a Debbie Downer
But my concern right now is that we’re simply out-managing the Dbacks. I mean, we’re playing very well, but a lot of our runs have been the result of poor managing decisions by Gibson. Assuming we make it to the next round, I don’t think we can count on that.
My goodness.
by BrewHaHeather on Oct 3, 2011 12:23 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I see you have been reading my newsletter
Yesterday at the game, I said to my friend after Brauns HR that the game was over. And even though the DBacks came back to tie, I tought it was too early in the game for the Brewers to not score another run.
Gibson did the Brewers a huge favor by taking Hudson out when he only had about 90 pitches to face Betancourt? huh?
Seeing as we are almost out of Cheerios
Gibson was nice enough to go to the store and get us a box of Lucky Charms. There was a sale on Fortunate Charms, so he might go back before Game 3 and stock up for the NLCS.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Oct 3, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Never mind that the Brewers had 9 hits and 4 runs off him in 5 innings
"If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be." - Yogi Berra
by mnbrewer on Oct 3, 2011 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hudson Betancourt is a much better match up
than Ziegler Betancourt, and unlike the night before, the pitcher wasnt running out of gas. Hairston’s double really wasnt so hard hit that Gibson had to worry about his pitcher getting hit hard.
Hudson wasnt pitching poorly at all, he made a mistake to Braun in the first inning and that was the only thing that you could have held against the guy.
Hairston's double wasn't hit hard because it was hit by Hairston
That was a really awful pitch by Hudson.
Get a ife broseph
Part of the reason that these are poor decisions, though
is that we’ve taken advantage of them. Imagine if after walking Kotsay, Hart hit into a double play. Doesn’t make it the right decision, but it’s unfair to just dismiss the fact that the Brewers made them pay for their mistakes. Maybe Gibson doesn’t walk Kotsay and he hits a home run. Unlikely, but who knows?
"If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be." - Yogi Berra
Eh...
How are the Brewers not outplaying the Diamondbacks in every facet of the game? Gibson’s “mistakes” are being way overblown. Give some credit to the Brewers players…
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I mean, IBB to Kotsay made no sense, but it didn’t exactly decide the game yesterday.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
It made sense to me
At that point the Crew was up 5-4 with one out and runners on 2nd & 3rd. It tells me that he didn’t trust his offense to get hot, and figured the best shot they had was manufacturing a couple of runs in the next 3 innings. If you don’t think your offense can get you more than 2 runs, then you do everything you can to set up that double play and get out of the 6th. It’s along the same thinking as bringing in the infield with no outs, you risk the big inning to cut down the run. Even if they struck Kotsay out, Hart getting a single would have plated 2 runs (assuming Lucroy would be moving on contact with two outs rather than freezing on contact).
by Andrew Heidke on Oct 3, 2011 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
"How are the Brewers not outplaying the Diamondbacks in every facet of the game?"
I agree, they are. In fact, this is probably the best I’ve seen them play all year. With the amount of confidence I have in them right now, I would be surprised if they didn’t make the WS.
Perhaps it would have been better if I said “the scores of these games would be a lot closer if Gibson wasn’t making all these questionable decisions.”
My goodness.
by BrewHaHeather on Oct 3, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
TLR had Corey Patterson taking big ABs in September
Charlie Manual starts Raul Ibanez and his .289 OBP and brutal defense in LF and the 6 spot.
I guess…why can’t we count on the other manager doing something stupid?
Get a ife broseph
If we compare manager to manager we would probably see that most managers make many of the same stupid mistakes. That does not mean we should be accepting of those stupid mistakes.
Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.
Precisely.
If every manager makes stupid decisions, then finding one that doesn’t (or teaching one not to) would raise a significant competitive advantage.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Oct 3, 2011 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I hope my post didn't imply I like bad managing
My point was that Gibson probably isn’t much different than TLR or Manual
Get a ife broseph
by Supertramp on Oct 3, 2011 10:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Greinke beast mode
via @LookoutLanding
by MKEtotheATX on Oct 3, 2011 12:47 PM CDT reply actions 14 recs
SHOW ME A MEAN FACE, KENNY!
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
by Rubie Q on Oct 3, 2011 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
BEAST AIRQUOTES
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
by Hyatt on Oct 3, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
that grin is my new favorite thing.
Ugh, Shortstop
by theBrouhaha on Oct 3, 2011 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Kyle
I think that Zack is telling the fans to start the wave. Get him!
Brewers:
2011 NL Central Champs!
National League #2 Seed
Franchise record for wins
That Joe West is always looking for more attention on TV.
Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.
The safety squeeze play has been coming up quite a bit.
On the Diamondbacks’ side, that play could have gone better, but there were no guaranteed outs. Everyone keeps saying he should have gone to first, but that wasn’t an option. On TBS last night, during their “Inside MLB” show, they showed the play. Not only did the pitcher charge the ball, but so did the first and second basemen. There was no one covering first base, so there was no play there.
Now, I’m not saying that Ziegler made the best possible decision. The better decision would have been to get the guaranteed out and hope your offense can add on. However, had he looked to first base, he would have seen no out available because no one was covering. Of course, in that situation, he could then just eat the ball and keep the other runners at first and second, bringing up a situation where they pitch to Kotsay instead of issuing the IBB.
So, Ziegler did make a bad decision on the play, but to say he should have taken the guaranteed out at first is wrong. There was no guaranteed out since no one was covering first on the play.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Of course, as I type that
I realize that there still might have been a chance to tag Lucroy out. Still, it’s not as much of a guarantee as everyone else thinks.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Agreed.
I’m wondering if the play should’ve been ruled a hit, not a sacrifice.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Oct 3, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I read somewhere this morning that Gibson said the communication was messed up by how loud it was.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
by Jordan M on Oct 3, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
That brings up an interesting question.
First of all, is it MLB or the Brewers that decides to close the roof for the postseason?
If it’s the Brewers the make the call, do you think they are closing the roof & panels to amplify the noise from the crowd? Yesterday was a good day to have it open, yet it was closed.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
They said over the weekend
it’s something of a joint decision; it’s MLB’s call in the end, but the Brewers have input on whether to do it.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
I don't hate the bunt quite as much in the postseason
You are playing better teams so the run environment is lower.
Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.
Better teams don't necessarily mean better pitching staff's
and, especially with the playoff field this year, the offenses are generally excellent.
I dont know what is better
Undefined might be better than 108
I hate Yuni.
by BrewCrewBrian on Oct 3, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't recall a more baffling decision from a manager than Gibson's walking Kotsay...
…and I watched Ron all season.
Sure, it creates a force. Sure it sets up a possible double play. But it also brings up a MUCH better hitter and puts you one batter closer to Braun/Fielder. He was just asking for a disaster, and he got it.
MAYBE you do that with #7 or #8 on deck and it’s Yuni or Counsell or someone. But HART? I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.
Oh, and if it’s true there was no one covering 1st on that squeeze, that’s just more bad managing. Kirk Gibson: Your NL Manager of the Year.
I don't think that decision
is more baffling that RRR’s decision to pinch-hit Kotsay for Lucroy and leave Kottaras in the on-deck circle in the bottom of the ninth earlier this year.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
Still think this is worse...
…and Ron stumps me regularly.
Kotsay is Gibson’s best chance for an out from #9 through #5. By FAR. But he chooses to pass on that opportunity and move to the big boys. It’s insanity.
Maybe he was thinking back to the '08 NLDS
when Hart came up with the bases loaded and one out in Philly and promptly grounded into a first-pitch, inning-ending double play.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
The funny thing about this is
I felt really good about Kotsay doing something good (at least a sac fly) in that situation. Really good.
by Archibaldcrane on Oct 3, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
True on all counts.
If he really didn’t want Ziegler pitching to a lefty, he should’ve taken him out. I mean, consider the circumstances:
His pitcher started off with a balk, which Gibson later admitted seemed to rattle him.
Then he walks Yuni, on four pitches.
Then he makes an error on a squeeze play.
I know it takes time to get a guy ready and whatnot, but he faced four more batters after that.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
almost as bad as when he pitched to Prince in game 1
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
As long as Rickie is behind Prince...
…I’ll never think that pitching to Prince is horrible. But choosing Hart over Kotsay? Amazing.
Yeah, and as Kyle brought up
letting him face 4 more batters after that. Not the brightest move.
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
To Kyle's point about getting someone up
Lucroy, Hart, Morgan, and Braun all hit the first pitch. He only threw 8 pitches after the squeeze play. The only balls he threw were intentional.
It's still possible to get someone warmed up quickly
I can’t remember who it was, but in the last month of the regular season someone did that against the Brewers… got a reliever warmed up before facing another batter. I think it involved two meetings on the mound (first with just the catcher, then followed by the manager coming out of the dugout).
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I’m to lazy to look it up, but I think Zeigler has crazy lefty/righty splits. That is pretty common for sidearmers. I think he had righties batting under .200 but lefties had hit him pretty well.
Plus he’s a sinkerballer, so they might have had a better chance at a GIDP. I think they would have walked any lefty (Counsell included)
Agreed
I think it was the right call to walk Kotsay. The big problem was that Ziegler was simply throwing meatballs up there at that point so it didnt really matter what the strategy plan was putting the guy on.
He hadn't given up a hit at that point, though.
Two walks — one intentional — and a sac bunt squeeze on the first pitch Luc saw. He wasn’t getting cuffed around when Hart came up.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
He walked Yuni B in 4 pitches
if that’s not screaming “HAY MANAGER GUY GUESS WHAT I DON’T HAVE IT TODAY” I don’t know what does.
by Archibaldcrane on Oct 3, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't disagree.
Perhaps I misunderstood what “meatballs” meant in BTC’s post; I take that to mean the guy’s lobbing made-to-be-crushed softballs up there.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
Ok, so my friend bailed.
I’m driving to AZ alone tomorrow. And if I have to go alone, I’m getting a good ticket.
$220 delivered for 3rd base box seat, 2nd physical row. In range to yell “YOU’RE MY BOY BRAUN” at every given opportunity, plus a great spot to see the game from. So stoked, only a 6-hour drive away.
Perk up your ears during his at-bats, I bet there’s a chance you could hear me yelling. I’m very loud.
by Archibaldcrane on Oct 3, 2011 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 10 recs
Awesome!
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Oct 3, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Great stuff
have yourself a rec.
Brewers:
2011 NL Central Champs!
National League #2 Seed
Franchise record for wins
Way to go !
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Are umps paid by the game in the playoffs?
Just curious if there’s added motivation for Cowboy Joe to be ridiculous behind the plate.
I can't imagine they are...
I think they’re salaried and probably get a per-series bonus. Although that may make them want to end the series sooner. To summarize…good question.
Be careful what you say about NBA refs
Or you’ll get an angry tweet from “Dick Bavetta”*
*I know this from personal experience.
REWIND YOURSELF!
No way
does Dick Bavetta know how to tweet.
Brewers:
2011 NL Central Champs!
National League #2 Seed
Franchise record for wins
Zack's pick-off move
Yay! (-.064 WPA)!
FanGraphs should consider a venue for a Gallery Night... they could even serve a cake with a Win Expectancy Chart of the 7/7/11 Brewers' game etched in the frosting, and 7-up. Oh, yeah - and t-shirts that say "SABR-Friday." I'm totally there.
by Jess'HittheBall on Oct 3, 2011 2:59 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
In the hopefully unlikely event we drop Game 3
is Wolfottaras a sure thing for Game 4?
I kind of like the idea of sending Yo out there on 4 days’ rest to shut the series down. That would also bring him back on regular rest for NLCS Game 2. Greinke would be back on regular rest for a Game 5 if that would be necessary.
Also, Wolf’s numbers against Arizona this year are not good.
by That's Not Chuckie's Game on Oct 3, 2011 3:01 PM CDT reply actions
I doubt it's a sure thing
I could easily see RR doing what you described.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
WWhich Brewer player leads the team in home runs hit at Chase Field in Arizona in 2011 ?
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Tim Dillard.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Oct 3, 2011 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Prince Fielder
We’re counting the HR derby and All-star game right?
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
25 | 20 | .555 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 21 | .543 | 0.5 | Lost 2 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 23 | .488 | 3 | Won 4 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
21 | 24 | .466 | 4 | Won 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 26 | .422 | 6 | Won 2 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 30 | .333 | 10 | Lost 10 |
(updated 5.26.2012 at 6:00 PM CDT)
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