Some things to read while growing a lot of potatoes.
So, with another tough loss last night, the Brewers dropped to 2-5, and have lost their last three games by a combined five runs. I'm starting to feel a little more urgency and panic out there the last couple of days, but I think it's important to remember that the Brewers were in the game in four of their five losses, and may have been a break or two from being 4-3 or 5-2 at this point, a record we'd all be pretty happy with.
Certainly, Edinson Volquez realizes he wiggled off the hook last night. If the Brewers could have capitalized on one of four opportunities with runners in scoring position after the third inning, it would have been a different game. And if the Brewers can stay in games with Jeff Suppan posting a 12+ ERA and Ryan Braun and J.J. Hardy scuffling, then this team could really turn around in a hurry when adjustments are made.
Suppan remains a hot topic of conversation today:
Lost in the coverage of last night's game was a scary moment in the early-going: Rickie Weeks was hit in the face by an Edinson Volquez fastball, but remained in the game. I'd rather not publish the picture itself on the front page of the site, but if you're someone who likes to see such things, here it is.
You know your team is scuffling when the biggest source of excitement is the new outfield grass, but that's what The Official Site is touting in their preview for tonight's game.
If you thought the battle for roster spots was over, think again. A bullpen battle might heat up over the next few days, as Trevor Hoffman is expected to throw a bullpen session tomorrow, step one towards getting back into a Brewer uniform. Barring another injury, the Brewers will have to make a roster move to open up a spot for him. Jorge Julio seems like a likely candidate to be moved, but Mark DiFelice might get sent to the minors instead, as he has options remaining and organizational depth may get the edge over day-to-day performance.
Some people shouldn't be allowed to write about sports. OnMilwaukee.com's Dave Begel is having a tough time writing about sports in Milwaukee because there's not enough controversy. He's more than welcome to quit his job and start a fashion blog.
FanGraphs has their top ten prospects for each NL Central team. Nine of their top ten also appear in ours: the lone exceptions are Cutter Dykstra (sixth on their list) and Cole Gillespie (tenth on ours).
Would you have guessed that, of all hitters with 100 career home runs, Prince Fielder has hit the fifth highest percentage to center field? The only active player who goes deep to center more often is Ryan Howard.
Around the league:
Astros: Are 1-6 after five straight losses (worst start since 1984), and have been shut out in back to back games.
Braves: Tom Glavine is headed to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Dr. James Andrews for an examination of his sore shoulder.
Cubs: Milton Bradley will be out 3-5 days with a sore hamstring.
Dodgers: Designated Delwyn Young for assignment.
Rays: Placed catcher Shawn Riggans on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis.
Red Sox: Jed Lowrie has been placed on the DL with a wrist injury.
White Sox: Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko each hit their 300th career home runs last night, in back to back at bats. Also, Dewayne Wise has a separated shoulder and will be placed on the DL.
If you're headed to Wednesday's game, I hope you're good at identifying players: everyone will be wearing #42 to honor Jackie Robinson on the anniversary of his first major league game.
With that said, don't tell your significant other if you're spending Wednesday night with The Cougar, which is apparently the new nickname for Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.
It feels like we've been doing this a lot lately: Baseball mourns two more losses today: former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych and Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. Both Bob Uecker and Brian Anderson commented on Kalas yesterday.
Drink up.
So, with another tough loss last night, the Brewers dropped to 2-5, and have lost their last three games by a combined five runs. I'm starting to feel a little more urgency and panic out there the last couple of days, but I think it's important to remember that the Brewers were in the game in four of their five losses, and may have been a break or two from being 4-3 or 5-2 at this point, a record we'd all be pretty happy with.
Certainly, Edinson Volquez realizes he wiggled off the hook last night. If the Brewers could have capitalized on one of four opportunities with runners in scoring position after the third inning, it would have been a different game. And if the Brewers can stay in games with Jeff Suppan posting a 12+ ERA and Ryan Braun and J.J. Hardy scuffling, then this team could really turn around in a hurry when adjustments are made.
Suppan remains a hot topic of conversation today:
- Ken Macha plans to meet with Suppan today to discuss what can be done to get him back on track. (Noted in FanShot)
- Meanwhile, it sounds like Bill Castro has already talked to Suppan about aiming his pitches.
- PocketDoppler suspects Suppan may be diagnosed with a mystery ailment and placed on the DL in the coming weeks.
- Quevedo at the Buffet discusses "pitching to contact."
Lost in the coverage of last night's game was a scary moment in the early-going: Rickie Weeks was hit in the face by an Edinson Volquez fastball, but remained in the game. I'd rather not publish the picture itself on the front page of the site, but if you're someone who likes to see such things, here it is.
You know your team is scuffling when the biggest source of excitement is the new outfield grass, but that's what The Official Site is touting in their preview for tonight's game.
If you thought the battle for roster spots was over, think again. A bullpen battle might heat up over the next few days, as Trevor Hoffman is expected to throw a bullpen session tomorrow, step one towards getting back into a Brewer uniform. Barring another injury, the Brewers will have to make a roster move to open up a spot for him. Jorge Julio seems like a likely candidate to be moved, but Mark DiFelice might get sent to the minors instead, as he has options remaining and organizational depth may get the edge over day-to-day performance.
Some people shouldn't be allowed to write about sports. OnMilwaukee.com's Dave Begel is having a tough time writing about sports in Milwaukee because there's not enough controversy. He's more than welcome to quit his job and start a fashion blog.
FanGraphs has their top ten prospects for each NL Central team. Nine of their top ten also appear in ours: the lone exceptions are Cutter Dykstra (sixth on their list) and Cole Gillespie (tenth on ours).
Would you have guessed that, of all hitters with 100 career home runs, Prince Fielder has hit the fifth highest percentage to center field? The only active player who goes deep to center more often is Ryan Howard.
Around the league:
Astros: Are 1-6 after five straight losses (worst start since 1984), and have been shut out in back to back games.
Braves: Tom Glavine is headed to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Dr. James Andrews for an examination of his sore shoulder.
Cubs: Milton Bradley will be out 3-5 days with a sore hamstring.
Dodgers: Designated Delwyn Young for assignment.
Rays: Placed catcher Shawn Riggans on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis.
Red Sox: Jed Lowrie has been placed on the DL with a wrist injury.
White Sox: Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko each hit their 300th career home runs last night, in back to back at bats. Also, Dewayne Wise has a separated shoulder and will be placed on the DL.
If you're headed to Wednesday's game, I hope you're good at identifying players: everyone will be wearing #42 to honor Jackie Robinson on the anniversary of his first major league game.
With that said, don't tell your significant other if you're spending Wednesday night with The Cougar, which is apparently the new nickname for Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.
It feels like we've been doing this a lot lately: Baseball mourns two more losses today: former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych and Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. Both Bob Uecker and Brian Anderson commented on Kalas yesterday.
Drink up.