Thursday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Aug 11, 2011 10:29 AM CDT
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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PrintSome things to read while carrying a spare for a friend.
The Brewers are 67-50, five games up in the NL Central and winners of 13 out of 14 games for the first time since 1987, and they got there via a very impressive performance from Randy Wolf. Wolf held the Cardinals to a run on just five hits over eight innings last night, striking out just one batter (Albert Pujols) and walking none.
Meanwhile, we have a new Brewer. The organization decided yesterday to put Chris Narveson on the DL with his thumb laceration and call up Eulogio (better known as "Frankie") de la Cruz to fill his roster spot (FanShot). De la Cruz is expected to be used as a bullpen arm while he's here. Noah will have more on him later today, but here's a quick primer:
- De la Cruz was signed as a minor league free agent this winter, and has a 3.88 ERA in 137 innings for Nashville.
- He's the Pacific Coast League leader in strikeoouts this season with 126.
- De La Cruz took the last vacant spot on the Brewer 40 man roster.
- @SessileFielder points out that this is a strong indication that Mike McClendon is one of the PTBNLs in the K-Rod deal.
With Narveson on the DL there's some confusion about what will happen tomorrow, his next scheduled start. Marco Estrada is the likely candidate to take the vacant spot in the rotation, but Zack Greinke could pitch on normal rest in the opener of the Pirates series. That would mean Estrada would start on national TV on Saturday.
Speaking of Greinke, 36% of voters in this MLB Trade Rumors poll think the trade that brought him and Yuniesky Betancourt to Milwaukee was Doug Melvin's best offseason move. That trade is likely part of the reason Melvin's approval rating remained over 90% in this week's BCB Tracking Poll.
Other notes from the field:
- Tony La Russa was ejected from last night's game in the ninth inning, and raised the possibility that the umpires will hold a grudge today (FanShot).
- Here's a transcript of Ron Roenicke's postgame comments.
- Randy Wolf, Prince Fielder and Corey Hart are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
- Carson Cistulli says Randy Wolf "looks perpetually like a Worried Dad."
The two teams finish off the series tonight (in a getaway-day night game), with Yovani Gallardo taking the mound against Chris Carpenter. Jon Star of MLB.com has the preview.
Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday missed last night's game after tweaking his back lifting weights, and may be out today as well. He downplayed the severity of the injury, though.
Prince Fielder went 1-for-2 with a walk and a sac fly and drove in the first Brewer run last night. Baseball America's Best Tools survey credited him with the NL's best power and third best strike zone judgment. You might not have known that he still has the longest and fifth longest homer in all of baseball this season. They also say Shaun Marcum is tied for the league's second best changeup.
It's certainly tongue-in-cheek, but Brewers' in 11's point that the Brewers have gotten hot without Rickie Weeks is worth noting. The Brewers certainly aren't better without Weeks, but the fact that they're winning while he's on the shelf is encouraging.
In the minors:
- The affiliates went 4-0 last night, with Matt Miller allowing just one run in 7.2 innings in Wisconsin's 3-1 win over Beloit. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
- Rattler Radio has video highlights from the game.
- Erick Almonte drove in five runs in an inning on a pair of doubles as the Sounds scored ten runs in the seventh en route to a comeback win over Reno.
We already know that the Brewers are unlikely to sign first round picks Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley before Monday, but it looks like one other decision is coming down to the wire: Shortstop Chris McFarland, an 18th round pick, says he won't decide whether he's turning pro or attending Rice until the signing deadline. (h/t @SessileFielder)
If you'd like more Brewer content today but you're sick of reading and you've already listened to my appearance on The Pulse Network, the View From Bernie's Chalet podcast is up. This week's topics include Yuniesky Betancourt, Casey McGehee, Yovani Gallardo, the minors and more.
Around baseball:
Astros: Designated infielder Tommy Manzella for assignment.
Cardinals: Placed pitcher Lance Lynn on the DL with an oblique strain.
Dodgers: Placed infielder Dee Gordon on the DL with a shoulder contusion.
Marlins: Placed shortstop Hanley Ramirez on the DL with a shoulder sprain.
Pirates: Released pitcher Mike Crotta.
Rays: Placed outfielder Justin Ruggiano on the DL with knee bursitis.
Royals: Released pitcher Kyle Davies.
You already know about Lynn, Manzella and much more if you've read this morning's edition of Around the NL Central.
Today in baseball economics: The Padres are expected to raise payroll to over $50 million next season, and are saying $70 million is possible within five years. This is a nice reminder of how good we have it as Brewer fans: The Padres have a slightly newer park and a bigger city, but the Brewers are outspending them by $20-40 million annually.
Here's a strange statistical quirk: There's a chance that no major leaguers will reach 50 doubles this season. It'd be the first time that's happened in back-to-back seasons since 1991-92. The Brewer leaders this season are Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, who each have 28 and are on pace for 39.
This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History remembers Doc Medich, who the Brewers claimed off waivers on this day in 1982. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times has a reminder that today is also the 50th anniversary of Warren Spahn's 300th win.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch cartoons.
Drink up.
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this is an all time Loe
"We have to beat these guys. All they do is (complain) and moan about everything, all of them. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals" - Brandon Phillips
by JAMOOL on Aug 11, 2011 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Nobody panic! It's not the real Brewpocalypse until He returns.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Aug 11, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Playing amateur psychologist
I really want to see greinke pitch on saturday, to see if he can handle the pressure from the extra hype. Closest to a playoff game the team has played this year.
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 Aug 11, 2011 11:25 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Really?
Against the Pirates (10.5 games back) at home? These last 5 games against the Cards have been bigger than anything they’ve played so far in regards to the playoff race.
Get a ife broseph
what?
I don’t think a fox game automatically makes it playoff-esque. In case you haven’t checked in a while, the pirates suck again.
by uwbadgers on Aug 11, 2011 11:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah
Being the second tier “Game of the Week” is really important stuff, the players must really care and probably feel the immense pressure of playing before the likes of Dick Stockton and Eric Karros…
This game is bigger than YOU or ME.
Without me, the game will go on...Without the game, I won't go on
As a Milwaukee native
Living here in San Diego, the fans here dont support their teams in the very least. Petco Park is a great park (Miller is better) with great views and located in a great downtown area but even when the team was having surprise success the last few years, attendance at the ballpark was flat out embarrassing. They make it so easy to get to the games from all over the county with a great trolley system, so there are no excuses. They do charge too much for tickets and concessions, however. Unless youre buying tickets in generous 13-game packs preseason or from CostCo, you arent leaving without spending 100 bucks.
::Another 95% plus FanGraphs win goes right down the fucking tubes:: Indians fan after Prince's Grand Salami
How much of that is the team developing a reputation for being cheap, though?
Last year’s team was surprising, and done with a small payroll. They responded to it by dumping more payroll.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Aug 11, 2011 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
As another Milwaukee native who lives in SD
A couple of thoughts:
- Some of it’s reputation. The team used to do well when the stadium was new and the team competed every year. But overall this is a city of transplants and everyone has allegiances elsewhere. For example: They were selling 2 for 1 tickets last year in mid-September when the NL Central-leading Reds were in town. Padres were in the thick of a pennant race. Chargers struggle to sell out the first game of every season even when they have Super Bowl chances.
- It’s difficult to compare the two places just by city size. SD’s metro market is 3 m and Milwaukee is 1.5 m. But the Brewers have the entire state, too, behind them. As soon as you drive 45 minutes north from SD you’re in Angels territory and another 45 minutes and you’re in Dodgers Land.
- I personally prefer Petco to Miller hands down. Petco just feels like it was built to be a ballpark. I feel like Miller was built to be an entertainment experience. Also, Petco is in the heart of downtown. I wish Miller was.
I disagree on the location of Miller Park
Just the fact that you would have to eliminate the parking lots (and, as a result, tailgating as well) would be too much in my mind. I think it’s located perfectly where it is.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
I don't mind the location at all
But it could have been awesome downtown, especially if they could have utilized the lake somehow. Would have ended tailgating, but people would adapt.
Get a ife broseph
You're probably right about people adapting
but the traffic and parking would be horrendous if it was downtown or near the lakefront.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I have faith (maybe I shouldn't) that they would have figured it out
Tons of teams have stadiums located in urban or downtown places. They would have figured out how to make it work.
I don’t remember the specific debates when they were deciding, obviously a lot easier to just put it right by County Stadium since they already had the land.
Get a ife broseph
selig wanted it by water st, iirc
and people threw a hissy fit.
by Capt Science on Aug 11, 2011 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I think downtown stadiums
all have problems with parking and traffic.
I think when the debate was going on, one location that was discussed was the former location of the Park East Freeway. I don’t recall any lakefront locations being discussed… probably because of the lack of real estate available.
Building another parking structure would help with the parking issue, but I’m not sure how much can be done about traffic. Parking and traffic is bad around the Bradley Center during Bucks’ games… and on average they draw less than half the people that a Brewers game does.
Having a downtown stadium helps the businesses in the area as people would go to bars instead of tailgating before/after the game.
Personally, I like tailgating and hate going to crowded bars. I could see if you preferred going to bars that you’d like having a downtown stadium.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I like bars, and I like not driving
Its fine now I guess – with a group a cab downtown from the stadium isn’t too expensive and Long Wongs is always a good time. Or you can tailgate and have fun that way.
Get a ife broseph
That's what I figured
I think that’s basically how the people fall on both sides of the debate.
As far as not driving, unless you live downtown, wouldn’t you still need to drive to get to the bars?
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Reading this as a (future) Urban Planner
There are ways of getting to ballparks without traffic or parking…
P.s. Using the Metrodome as a model for anything is a terrible idea, but people do tailgate outside of it for Vikings games, and it’s right downtown.
"If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be." - Yogi Berra
Ha
the stadium that had its roof collapse and that is so bad that it may force its tenants to move to Los Angeles.
Retro uniforms: 3-0 in July
Maybe if the Milwaukee Country Transit System were better I'd agree
I’ve been to Twins games at the Metrodome, but I don’t recall ever seeing anyone tailgating. I would think having MP downtown would be more like Wrigley… but without the benefit of having a decent mass transit system.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Yeah, totally
Milwaukee transit is a joke. People didn’t typically tailgate for twins games at the dome, and they don’t really at target field either, but I think that’s more because of its proximity to the main bar district downtown.
Still, the light rail and the commuter train have been huge successes especially for sporting events. You pay $2 instead of $20 to get to the game, you don’t have to deal with parking or traffic, and you don’t have to worry about having a beer or five.
"If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be." - Yogi Berra
Good point on tailgating.
It seems like you could figure out a way to do both though. What % of people tailgate? Perhaps you could just have a tailgating lot. There’s a pay lot right next to Petco.
I think it's safe to say no one lot would contain all the people tailgating at Miller Park
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
The downtown location of Petco is one of the best things about it.
It’s nice to walk out after a game and just wander into one of the many bars/restaurants in the neighborhood.
That is a great location
and the local talent at those bars/restaurants is nothing to shake a stick at.
Retro uniforms: 3-0 in July
the weird thing is that I see Padres fans everywhere on the road
I’ve seen the Padres play on the road twice—in Milwaukee and Denver—and been in Minneapolis for non-game reasons when the Padres were in town and I did not expect the amount of Padres fans I’ve seen in the wild when compared to the amount of people I actually see in the park.
Must be like Oakland—very few fans come but the ones who do are the hardest of the hardcore.
Just reading the Brewers blog.
Here is a comment from Jonathan Lucroy:
There’s always something when we play the Cardinals. I know that as a player we’re all kind of tired of La Russa’s antics. This is what he does. He does that to try and play mind games with you. And he wants to get you all mad and angry and get distracted. That’s just what he does. That’s how he plays the game. Same thing with the scoreboard (lighting) thing. He is just doing it to try and get any advantage he can. And for us, we’re all just kind of tired of it. He intentionally hit (Ryan) Braun after we unintentionally hit Pujols. So take that as whatever you think it means. That’s just the way he is. We’re not really worried about it. We don’t really care.
What we ought to do is just bury him out there, and just put it on him. That’s what we want to do. We don’t want to fight him. We don’t want to hit anybody. We just want to beat him on the field.
I love this comment.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
by -JP- on Aug 11, 2011 12:14 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
That mirrors the no more fighting comment from Fielder
It sounds like the players had their own little unofficial meeting about this and are on the same page with ignoring TLR. It’s got to be easier to keep him out of their heads when everyone is rallying around the concept of blocking out his influence. Keep it up crew!
That’s a mature comment from a 25-year old baseball player in his 2nd big league season. Good clubhouse influences there.
Founder of the BCBCU - Est. 2011
by ecocd on Aug 11, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is my favorite Cardinals response-to-losing archetype
“We weren’t good this year anyways and didn’t even want to win, so there”
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
Why else would a beat writer concede that his team is worse than the team they're in a division race with?
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
Very true, but I doubt he was saying that before the Cardinals fell 5.0 GB
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
I'd go black.
However, I’m just hoping that with the 3DS price decrease, the regular DS Lite (not the DSi with those cameras and stuff) price will drop as well. I have DS games but no system to play them on right now.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
They're soon going to stop manufacturing the DS Lite
They’re only $100 right now. You might catch a $20 price break at Thanksgiving, but I wouldn’t count on it going much lower than that.
Founder of the BCBCU - Est. 2011
Taylor Green has a pretty 1.000 OPS in AAA now
Sure hope the reason he’s not being called up isn’t because he’s on that PTBNL list.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
How about because there isn't a space for him on the roster?
If RRR is hesitant to use Hairstone, let alone Wilson, there’s no way in hell he’d use Green for anything other than pinch-running were he to come up to replace Wilson.
Founder of the BCBCU - Est. 2011
Well I certainly hope that you're right.
It’s becoming ridiculous though considering the current composition of the bench. But I guess at this point September is only a few weeks away.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
Roenicke pulling a LaRussa...
@Brewers 8/11 lineup vs STL: Hart RF, Morgan CF, Kotsay LF, Fielder 1B, McGehee 3B, Betancourt SS, Lopez 2B, Lucroy C, Gallardo P
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
Pulling a LaRussa?
You mean having Kotsay start for Braun? He’s done that already this season. Apparently the LF has to bat #3… regardless who it is.
Even LaRussa doesn’t always do that.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I'm trying to get upset about this, because I'd love to
but there aren’t a lot of options here: maybe you drop Hart to third and move Nyjer up to leadoff, but then you’d have to put Flip second, and I’m not thrilled with that possibility.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
Probably put McGehee #3, Yuni 5th (wow) then Lucroy?
Whatever.
Hope Braun’s injury isn’t serious.
Get a ife broseph
Agreed on the whatever.
RRR could do a lot of things here and I’d find a reason to complain about it, so I’ll just say: eh, and hope Kotsay runs into one tonight.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
Guess it depends on Braun's availability
That’s a disaster waiting to happen with Morgan-Kotsay-Prince since TLR can bring in his LOOGY late in the game. If Braun can PH for Kotsay late, its not that big of deal.
Get a ife broseph
I haven't heard anything about any injury yet
Maybe just a scheduled day off.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I know
Just throwing out explanations until something official is reported.
Maybe RR is giving the Cards a chance since they’re also sitting their regular LF.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I have no problem giving Braun a day off, but against the Cardinals in this series?
Why not wait a day and let Braun rest against Pittsburgh.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
So Hairston can fill in in CF, but not LF?
And Morgan can’t slide to LF? Bench from Hell strikes again. What the hell?
Founder of the BCBCU - Est. 2011
He's clearly got roles for everyone
So not too surprising.
How much longer does the Felipe Lopez thing last? He’s hitting like he hit earlier this year with TB, which was terrible. He was bad last year as well. With Hariston on the team, I don’t know how much longer than can keep starting Lopez.
Get a ife broseph
Hairston got the start at 2B last night
so it seems that RR is starting to consider giving more playing time to JHJ and not just limit him to being the other half of the CF platoon.
I agree that Lopez isn’t looking very good at the plate.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
RR might be playing Kotsay
to get an extra lefty in the lineup against Carpenter.
However, Carp is actually getting hit better by righties (.285) than by lefties (.253). Though righties have a ridiculous .352 BAIBP compared to lefties .289 (though that may not be a luck thing). Also, Carp is striking out nearly 2 righties/9 more than lefties (7.97 vs 6.06).
He hasn't been hitting very well lately
1 for 14 over the last three games with a bad error. RR probably figured he needed a day off.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Trying something crazy new...
Morgan 8
Lucroy 2
Hart 9
Fielder 3
McGehee 5
YUNi B 6
Kotsay 7
Flip 4
Gallardo 1
Don’t…like…money…order.
by Bush League All Star on Aug 11, 2011 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Cards lineup - no Holliday again
Furcal, ss; Jay, cf; Pujols, 1b; Berkman, rf; Freese, 3b; Craig, lf; Molina, c; Theriot, 2b; Carpenter, rhp.
Get a ife broseph
I think I may cry...
Also, the team has announced Zack Greinke will start Friday against Pittsburgh, and Marco Estrada will start Saturday. The changes were necessitated by Chris Narveson’s move to the 15-day disabled list.
There goes my one chance to see Greinke pitch in person…
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Enter the lottery for Game 1 of the World Series tickets.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
But you haven't missed out on
your one chance to see the great Marco in action!
Less than proud owner of Marmol Says Knock McLouth (BCB League III)
The NBA stole my wife
I already got that opportunity.
April 26th.
To be honest, that might have been his best performance as a Brewer…
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
It's a time thing.
If I could leave work early, I could try to plan another, but we’re in the busy season and my boss hates the idea of me taking even a little time off just to go to a Brewers game. Weekends are the best time, and I calculated it out. If the rotation stays as is, Greinke won’t make another start at home on a Saturday or Sunday.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Money also does factor in.
However, I can make the money part work if I want to.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Are you sure?
By my calculations, he should be getting the start against the Cubs on 7/28.
I’m assuming the rotation is as follows going forward…
Greinke, #5 starter, Marcum, Wolf, then Gallardo.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Had hope for a minute, then watched it get crushed.
I’m busy until about 12:30 p.m. in Madison that day.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Sorry to hear that
You never know… the rotation could get tweaked again and you might get an opportunity.
Otherwise, like the others have said… there’s always the playoffs. :)
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
26 | 20 | .565 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 22 | .531 | 1.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Lost 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 27 | .413 | 7 | Lost 1 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 31 | .326 | 11 | Lost 11 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 12:11 PM CDT)
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