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Here is a thing that should not be happening on any Major League team that has a modicum of respect: 2014 Lyle Overbay batting cleanup.
The Brewers have the largest divisional lead in MLB, the second-best record in MLB, and the best record in the National League. The Brewers are starting Lyle Overbay and using him as their cleanup hitter.
Over the past few weeks, the Brewers have been putting out some of the best lineups they ever have. Braun batting second! Gomez cleanup! Lucroy third! Things were going so well! Today, the team decided to just reverse pretty much all of that and put out the worst possible lineup they could while still playing guys at their normal positions.
I get that it's a day game after a night game, and, I mean, it's not like this lineup is ever going to show up again after today. More than anything, it's pretty entertaining to see. This is one of the best teams in baseball! They're starting Elian Herrera and Martin Maldonado and Lyle Overbay! Their offense has already been shut out twice by Washington -- today they are facing arguably the toughest pitcher on the Nationals' roster. So, I guess, why not just throw out the most futile lineup possible and see what sticks.
They'll probably end up scoring eight runs.
And that still might not be enough to win. Marco Estrada takes the mound again today, and oh boy does he need a good start. Estrada has been, well...not good recently. Since the beginning of May, he has made 10 starts and has a 6.48 ERA. He has been giving up an incredible 919 OPS to opposing batters. He easily leads the league with 24 home runs allowed. I don't think the Brewers can possibly keep him in the rotation with another bad start. We'll probably find out exactly what they'll do in that case following today's game.
Go Brewers!
