Friday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while bringing it down to their level.

If you missed yesterday's game, you're one of the lucky ones: Zack Greinke's third worst performance as a Brewer and a near complete-game shutout by Matt Garza combined for a ugly day and 8-0 Cubs win yesterday. We've got the recap here, if you missed it.

A handful of us mentioned in the game thread yesterday that last night might have been the best possible time to reopen negotiations with Zack Greinke regarding a long-term deal. This week's BCB Tracking Poll showed that most of us still believe the Brewers have a better than 50% chance of keeping Greinke long term. Greinke seems a little less optimistic: After the game yesterday he told Adam McCalvy a contract extension "would have been nice."

Aramis Ramirez got his first day off of the 2012 season yesterday and was replaced in the lineup by Cesar Izturis, who went 0-for-3 and grounded into a double play. Brewers Mix says yesterday's lineup shows the bench's weakness.

Other notes from the field:

• Matt Garza threw 119 pitches yesterday, the most a starting pitcher has thrown in a game in 2011. That's a lot but it seems like less when you consider Roy Halladay threw 130 in a game last April.
• Jeff Sullivan of Baseball Nation has a gif of the throwing error that cost Garza the complete game.
• Corey Hart went 0-for-3 yesterday while batting cleanup for just the fifth time in his career.
• Matt Garza, Darwin Barney and Zack Greinke are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• We've got video highlights from the game's turning points and a transcript of Ron Roenicke's postgame comments.
• Carlos Gomez posted a photo in the Wrigley Field visitors' clubhouse.
• Looking back a day, George Kottaras rounded the bases in 20.15 seconds following his two run homer Wednesday.

The Brewers are in Atlanta today and will open a series against the Braves tonight when Randy Wolf takes on Jair Jurrjens at 6:35. Cash Kruth of MLB.com has the preview. I answered some questions about the Brewers for Talking Chop's series preview, but to be honest if you're easily angered you should probably skip them. There's something to be said for not feeding the trolls. We'll have our preview up around noon.

The weather in Atlanta should be a non-factor tonight, which will be a refreshing change from the rest of this week. The Weather Channel says temps should be right around 70 at game time and drop into the low 60's in the later innings.

Tonight will be the Brewers' third "home opener" of 2012: They opened the home schedule at Miller Park a week ago, Wrigley Field on Monday and now Turner Field tonight. The Braves are one of eight teams playing their first home game tonight.

Ryan Braun went 0-for-3 with a first inning walk and that was enough to make him the Brewer MVP yesterday. Reviewing the Brew has five facts about Braun.

If you didn't have an appreciation for Wrigley Field's ability to affect a baseball game before this week, you probably have it now after watching a few cold, windy games there. J.P. Breen of Disciples of Uecker has a look at the NL Central's ballparks and how they impact offensive performances.

Looking ahead, Mike Vassallo has the pitching matchups for next week's series with the Dodgers:

Jesse Temple of FS Wisconsin is the latest to join in on this refrain: The 2012 Brewers aren't necessarily going to suck just because Prince Fielder is gone.

In the minors:

• Things just aren't getting better for Zach Braddock. Adam McCalvy reports he's been returned to the temporarily inactive list after not appearing in Nashville's first seven games.
  
• At that link McCalvy also notes that outfielder Kentrail Davis (hamstring) and reliever Santo Manzanillo (shoulder tightness) have been placed on the DL.
• The affiliates went 2-2 yesterday, and Hunter Morris went 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles in Huntsville's 6-1 win over Birmingham. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• Jed Bradley showed up to the ballpark sick yesterday but was still perfect through five innings in Brevard County's loss last night.
• Chris Mehring of Rattler Radio has video highlights from Wisconsin's 4-2 win over Peoria. The video really doesn't do the final play justice.
• Mike Woods of the Appleton Post Crescent reports that Wisconsin outfielder Chad Stang, whose homer you can see in those highlights, has the fastest bat in the Brewer organization.
• Mitch Stetter will spend a week or so in extended spring training before reporting to Huntsville.
• Nashville broadcaster Jeff Hem has an interview with Sounds shortstop Hainley Statia.
• Cream City Cables has an interview with Wisconsin first baseman Jason Rogers.
  

If you're planning on attending any games during the April 23-25 Astros series or are open to the possibility, today is the day to get your tickets: The Brewers are selling select seats on the loge, club and terrace levels for $4.13 today in honor of Friday the 13th.

Looking further ahead, Adam McCalvy has more details and a map for the Brewers' planned half-marathon in September.

If you'd like more Brewer content today but you're sick of reading, here are some options:

• I'll be making my weekly appearance on The Home Stretch with Justin Hull on AM 1570 The Score in Appleton at 3 today. I'll be live in studio and taking your calls.
• The View From Bernie's Chalet Podcast is up. This week's topics include Opening Week, Zack Greinke and the bullpen.

If you're reading this before 6:30, there's still time to make your Prognostikeggers predictions for today. I'm going to go make mine right now so I don't forget.

Around baseball:

Royals: Placed outfielder Lorenzo Cain on the DL with a groin injury.

The game of the day in the Central yesterday was played in Washington, where the Nationals beat the Reds 3-2 in ten innings on a walkoff wild pitch. You already know about that and much more if you've read this morning's edition of Around the NL Central.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History marks the 59th anniversary of the Milwaukee Braves' first game in 1953. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that it's also the 58th anniversary of Hank Aaron's major league debut in 1954.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my chair.

Drink up.