Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while tailoring your skills.

The Brewers picked up a big win last night to open up a four game lead in the Central, but unfortunately that's not today's top story. Chris Narveson, who apparently was using a scissors to repair his glove in the Brewer clubhouse during last night's game, will miss his next start after cutting his thumb (FanShot). The wound required eight stitches, and caused this exchange between Narveson and Brewer trainer Roger Caplinger:

"It's the freakiest thing I've seen. (Head trainer) Roger (Caplinger) was sitting right there, and I said, 'Uh oh.' He looked over and said, 'That's not good.'"

Danny Knobler of CBS Sports said Narveson is headed to the DL, but I haven't seen that anywhere else. Because of recent off days the Brewers could simply skip a spot in the rotation, but Todd Rosiak is predicting they'll use someone else in Narveson's spot instead.

Jonathan Lucroy went 2-for-4 and drove in a run last night, improving his line to .355/.429/.516 over his last eight games. Vaughn's Valley praised the catcher as the Brewers' unsung hero. Meanwhile, Randy Wolf is scheduled to start tonight, so Lucroy will be on the bench.

Despite all the recent tension between these two teams, last night's game was played without incident. Prince Fielder told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports "at this point, we don't need anyone getting suspended." A Simple Kind of Fan still hates the Cardinals, though.

Other notes from the field:

• This is only the second time all season the Brewers have won four straight on the road. They also did it against the Marlins June 3-6.
• Corey Hart, Casey McGehee and Shaun Marcum are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn left the game with a strained oblique, and is likely headed to the DL.
• Corey Hart rounded the bases in 21.27 seconds following his home run. He wasn't in Ron Roenicke's initial lineup, but had a good session in BP and was penciled back in.

The two teams continue their series tonight, and Jon Star has the MLB.com preview. I forgot to mention it yesterday, but if you haven't yet you can make your Prognostikeggers predictions here.

Yuniesky Betancourt went 0-for-4 with an RBI last night. Ron Roenicke Stole My Baseball has a reminder that, while Yuni has been better lately, he's still a below average major leaguer.

How big has the recent hot streak been for the Brewers? AccuScore says the Brewers increased their playoff chances by 16.9% while going 5-1 between August 1 and 7, the largest jump in all of baseball. (h/t @cfly)

The ability to make strong contact anytime in the count is one of the things that makes Prince Fielder valuable. Baseball Analytics notes that Fielder has a .361 wOBA with two strikes, the highest in all of baseball.

In the minors:

• The affiliates went 3-4 yesterday, and Helena pitcher Mike Strong struck out 13 in their 2-0 loss to Billings. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
  

Around baseball:

Braves: Released pitcher Scott Proctor.
Pirates: Released first baseman Lyle Overbay.
Rangers: Placed infielder Andres Blanco on the DL with back inflammation.
Reds: Placed pitcher Logan Ondrusek on the DL with a forearm strain.
Rockies: Placed pitcher Matt Lindstrom on the DL with a lat strain.
Twins: Placed pitcher Scott Baker on the DL with a strained flexor muscle.

You already know about Ondrusek if you've read this morning's edition of Around the NL Central, which also includes a note on Astros pitcher Henry Sosa: He's scheduled to take the mound tonight and will be the ninth Houston player to make his major league debut this season.

Today in awful umpiring:

• Astros infielder Matt Downs will likely be fined for comments he made following last night's game about home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor. Pitch F/x confirms that Downs would have walked with the Astros down two in the ninth if not for a called strike that was roughly six inches off the plate.
• Orioles manager Buck Showalter was ejected last night for arguing with umpire and noted menace Phil Cuzzi after he got the call wrong on a stolen base attempt.
  

There have been times where it feels like the Brewers are on a streak like this: The Giants have hit 18 home runs since July 6, and every one of them has been a solo shot.

Today in bizarre souvenirs: Marlins catcher has been hit below the belt enough this season to break two cups.

Thankfully everyone appears to be ok, but two MLB.com writers were robbed at gunpoint leaving Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati following Monday's game.

Now, if you'll excuse me, someone found my cat. (h/t Pocket Doppler)

Drink up.