Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while getting over your bad first date.

Is J.J. Hardy ready to go off on a hot streak? Hardy has hits in three straight games after getting on base five times last night, and Tom H. talked to him about it.

Meanwhile, Two Fisted Slopper noticed that last night was another Great Success for Jeff Suppan. His ERA is under 6 now.

Despite the Pirates closing the gap to three runs in the late innings last night, Trevor Hoffman was unavailable, having pitched each of the last two games. Carlos Villanueva was called upon to close instead.

Bill Hall was also unavailable last night, but is expected back today. He's not blaming his brief stint in the outfield for the injury, but that doesn't change the fact that it was a strange move.

The Brewers won't see the Pirates again until July, but they might already be getting excited for it. Chuckie Hacks has a game-by-game recap of the Brewers 17 wins against Pittsburgh.

Jason Kendall went 1-for-4 last night to raise his OPS to .541. Between the Green Pillars wonders what the Brewers will do with Kendall, especially considering Angel Salome's slow start in Nashville.

After several seasons spent as a reliever, the Brewers made the decision to move Tim Dillard into the starting rotation in Nashville this season. It raised some eyebrows, but it also appears to be working: Dillard is 5-0 for the Sounds this season. I'm hoping to see a Sounds/Iowa Cubs game today, weather permitting.

Matthew Pouliot of Circling the Bases continues to rank potential 2010 free agents. Braden Looper checks in at #57 and Trevor Hoffman is #71.

The National Post ranked the Brewers sixth in the NL in their most recent power rankings, up from tenth.

For so long, I've felt like the only fan fighting for the end of the cursed retro logo, but today I know that is not the case. Welcome to the cause, Andy Kendeigh of WISN Milwaukee.

Around the league:

Mariners: Reliever Shawn Kelley may have a torn oblique and could be out for a month.
Tigers: Placed Carlos Guillen on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Yankees: Placed Jorge Posada on the DL with a hamstring strain.

Fans across baseball are breathing a sigh of relief today, as Rick Ankiel is expected to be fine following his headfirst collision with the wall Monday night. Surprisingly, Ankiel remembers the whole thing.

Zach Greinke has a 0.40 ERA in 2009, and he's won his last nine starts. Those numbers by themselves are pretty impressive, but Joe Posnanski has a lot more, including a mention of Cal Eldred.

The new Mets caps might be fitted with a set of earnuffs. The Mets are removing New York tabloids from their clubhouse. Depending on who you ask, it's either to shield the team from criticism and negativity or simply a byproduct of the fact that most players don't fit the "newspaper reader" demographic.

And yes, Ed Sedar lit his pants on fire.

Drink up.