Tuesday's Frosty Mug: Wily sets the tone

EDITOR'S NOTE: Before we get into today's Mug, here's something I've had to say much too frequently over the years.

At times like this it can be hard to focus on or care about baseball, as our collective hearts go out to the citizens of Boston and those impacted by yesterday's tragic events there. However, at times like this I think it's also important to provide an escape to those who need it, which is why we carry on as scheduled. - KL

Some things to read while not sleeping.

The Brewers are back in action tonight after an off day yesterday and they'll send Wily Peralta to the mound to face Barry Zito at 7:10. Tom Haudricourt has a story about Peralta, who is still only 23, and has massive potential.

Tonight's game will be the first 2013 meeting between the Brewers and Giants. As part of his series preview, Peter Hartlaub of SFGate.com says he can't help but love the Brewers. We'll have our preview up in a few hours.

Barring a change, tonight's lineup will again feature Rickie Weeks batting cleanup despite the fact that he's hit just .045/.125/.091 since being moved there. Jaymes Langrehr offers a suggestion on what might have changed.

There's also a strong chance Yuniesky Betancourt will be in the lineup despite the fact that he's hitting .267/.303/.333 over his first ten games back as a Brewer. While Yuni has been roughly what one would expect at the plate, J.P. Breen of Disciples of Uecker has a note on something several of us have begrudgingly admitted over the last few days: His defense has been better than expected, especially at third.

Looking back a couple of days, The Book of Gorman has a recap of the Cardinals series and named Jonathan Lucroy the weekend's MVP. The Brew Crew Project also has a review and notes that Brewer pitching was very good, with the exception of a single inning.

Meanwhile, Ron Roenicke's managerial work in the late innings Sunday has also drawn some attention. Ron Roenicke Stole My Baseball has a look at pros and cons from the weekend series, while Tim Muma of Brewers Mix defended the decision to put the contact play on with Yuniesky Betancourt on third in the ninth inning.

At any rate, Sunday's late-inning comeback and eventual win could be a significant momentum-changer for this team. Dave Radcliffe of Yahoo has a look at five things from Sunday's game that may have turned around the season.

Sunday's comeback and win was largely fueled by home runs from Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy. Larry Granillo of Baseball Prospectus says they circled the bases in 23.41 and 19.41 seconds, respectively.

In the minors:

• Adam McCalvy has a story on the top pitching prospects in the Brewer organization, which represent a relatively new development in an organization that has consistently had better luck with position players.
• The affiliates went 2-2 last night and most of the hitting came from Wisconsin, where Chris McFarland, Jose Sermo and Tyrone Taylor each had three hits in Wisconsin's 14-2 win over Cedar Rapids. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• Chris Mehring of Rattler Radio has much more from Wisconsin's win, including a note on pitcher Damien Magnifico's possible 101 mph fastball and McFarland's near-cycle.
• Nashville broadcaster Jeff Hem has interviews with Sounds pitcher Chris Jakubauskas, third baseman Stephen Parker and manager Mike Guerrero.

Back in Milwaukee, the Brewers made big news on the off day by announcing that Paul McCartney will come to Miller Park on July 16 as part of his "Out There" tour. Even if you're not a McCartney fan this is a pretty big deal for the Brewers, as the Milwaukee Business Journal notes that "any money earned at the non-baseball events goes directly to the team."

If you'd like more Brewer coverage today but you're sick of reading, Nathan will be filling in for me on my weekly appearance on The Sports Den with Downtown Ollie Burrows on SportsFan 100.5 in Wausau at 5:30 today.

Finally, if you haven't yet please take a moment today to vote in this week's BCB Tracking Poll. It will remain open through the day today and results will be posted tomorrow.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Placed reliever Sergio Santos on the DL with a triceps strain and designated outfielder Casper Wells for assignment.
Dodgers: Placed pitcher Shawn Tolleson on the DL with a lower back strain.
Mariners: Placed pitcher Stephen Pryor on the DL with a torn lat muscle.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History marks the 75th birthday of infielder Rich Rollins, the first pinch hitter in Brewer history. Today is also Fernando Vina's 44th birthday, and Plunk Everyone notes that his 157 career HBP are easily the most ever for a player born on April 16. Rollins is second on that list with 39.

Now, if you'll excuse me, he didn't make any exceptions.

Drink up.