Some things to read while getting out of the editing business.
We're only a couple of hours away from the first pitch of today's series finale against the Reds, and Manny Parra is getting ready to make his first start of the year (FanShot). He last pitched in relief on Friday, throwing two innings (and 39 pitches) against the Phillies. He's probably good for roughly 80-90 pitches today, and the Brewers will have to hope that's enough to get them through five innings or more.
If the Brewers need long relief today, we'll likely see the debut of a new Brewer: Tom Haudricourt is reporting that Marco Estrada has been called up from Nashville (FanShot). Estrada started for the Sounds on Friday, so he could be available to pitch in relatively extended duty today. On the season, he's posted a 3.15 ERA in 40 innings for the Sounds, striking out 33 and walking just 11.
Looking back, Todd Coffey had the worst outing of his major league career last night, and hit Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs with a pitch after Jonny Gomes' three run home run. I haven't seen any confirmation/denial on the intent of the pitch, but C. Trent Rosecrans wonders if the Reds should have retaliated, or might today.
Jim Edmonds was only available for pinch running duties last night, and remains day to day with an oblique strain.
Other notes from the field:
- The Brewers managed just three runs despite 12 hits last night. Rickie Weeks and Jody Gerut were the only starting position players without a hit.
- Corey Hart's first solo home run ended a 12 inning scoreless streak for Johnny Cueto.
- Cueto, Hart and Jonny Gomes are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game Voting.
- CoolStandings has the Brewer playoff hopes at 8.1%.
- The first-place Reds still drew just 12,409 last night.
- The list of former Brewers working for the Reds is pretty thin, but Baseball Brew has it.
No news yesterday on Ken Macha, but Howie Magner made an interesting point regarding Prince Fielder's comments after Sunday's game: He noted that Fielder was given an opportunity to defend Macha, but instead called a potential firing "the business side," and "not something you can dwell on."
While Ken Macha's seat continues to get hotter, Fire Doug Melvin is encouraging you to direct your torches and pitchforks in another direction.
In the minors:
- Battlekow reports that Huntsville's Amaury Rivas has been named the Brewer Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April. According to Minor League Splits, Rivas posted a 3.42 FIP and 0.87 WHIP while holding opposing batters to a .158 average for the month.
- Chris Waters pitched six shutout innings for Nashville last night as they split a doubleheader with Portland. We've got all the details and more in today's Minor League Notes.
On power rankings:
- Craig Calcaterra has the Brewers at 24.
- ESPN dropped the Brewers from 17th to 25th.
- MLB FanHouse dropped the Brewers from 21st to 25th.
John Steinmiller has photos from yesterday's unveiling of "Brewers One," an AirTran jet recently repainted with the Brewers' retro colors and logo. Early passengers report that some days it takes off fast and coasts into its destination, but on others it hardly gets off the runway.
If you haven't yet, please take a moment to vote in this week's Brew Crew Ball Tracking Poll. The poll will remain open until noon today, and results will be posted at 7 am tomorrow.
Around baseball:
Blue Jays: Placed outfielder Travis Snider on the DL with a sprained wrist.
Diamondbacks: Acquired pitcher Saul Rivera from the Indians for cash and released reliever Bob Howry.
Padres: Placed outfielder Scott Hairston on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Phillies: Designated reliever Wilson Valdez for assignment.
In former Brewer notes: Noted knuckleballer and former Brewer farmhand R.A. Dickey could start for the Mets tomorrow.
The designated hitter rule is the source of one of baseball's longest running debates, but is it really all that relevant? The USA Today reports that the average AL DH was posting a .723 OPS entering play Monday, which is only slightly better than Gregg Zaun (.708).
Speaking of endless debates, interleague play opens on Friday, opening the floodgates of complaints about irrelevant matchups and whatnot. With that said, Jesse Spector used last night's Royals-Orioles matchup to make the case that intraleague play has also run its course.
Martin Prado, who went 5-for-16 with a grand slam in the Braves' series against the Brewers last week, was named NL Player of the Week.
Try not to spend all day on this: Baseball Reference has added Sean Smith's historical WAR database to their site. It'll also be updated daily on player pages.
Another day, another baseball economics note: The Biz of Baseball notes that the Rays, with baseball's best record, and the Marlins are both seeing double digit declines in attendance this season.
Happy birthday today to:
- 2002 Brewer Nelson Figueroa, who turns 36.
- 2002-03 Brewer Eric Young, who turns 43.
- 1984 Brewer Jim Sundberg, who turns 59.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've lost my helmet.
Drink up.