What we learned: August 18, 2014

This Weekend's Results

Brewers 6, Dodgers 3

Zack Greinke was as tough as usual, but not quite himself. He didn't allow a run, but only pitched five innings and walked five in the process. The Brewers just couldn't take advantage of it to back Jimmy Nelson, who turned in another quality start with two runs allowed in six innings. The Brewers offense did get to the Dodgers bullpen, though. A five-run eighth inning capped by a Lyle Overbay bases-clearing RBI double put the Brewers ahead, and they held on for the 6-3 win.

Brewers 3. Dodgers 2

A pitcher's duel broke out on Saturday night, and the winner wasn't the Cy Young winner that pitched the complete game. Clayton Kershaw was as tough as usual, allowing only five hits, striking out eleven, and walking no one. The difference on this night was that two of those hits left the ballpark, with one of those coming with a runner on base. Home runs by Ryan Braun and Carlos Gomez accounted for all of the scoring, and it was enough to back Yovani Gallardo, who pitched eight innings and allowed only one run. Francisco Rodriguez made it interesting late, but closed the door for the Brewers win.

Brewers 7, Dodgers 2

There was no doubt about how this game was going to go. The Brewers were up 2-0 before recording an out thanks to a Jonathan Lucroy home run. They built the lead to 5-0 in the second with a Lucroy bases-clearing RBI double, Lucroy's 40th double of the season. They tacked on a few more runs to make it 7-0, more than enough to back Wily Peralta's six scoreless innings. The Brewers did allow two runs in the eighth off of Marco Estrada, but allowed the Dodgers to get no closer than that.

Injuries have taken their toll on the Brewers pitching staff.

It's mid-August, and injuries are piling up on roster all around the league. The Brewers are no exception here, and their pitching staff is starting to see the injuries piling up. On Friday, the Brewers announced that Tyler Thornburg and Jim Henderson would not be returning this season. Both have been out for months, with Jim Henderson going out on two rehab assignments but not able to improve enough to return. Henderson could be headed for shoulder surgery, while Thornburg received an injection in his elbow. The Brewers are still hoping to improve the bullpen through a trade, but still have not had any luck.

Meanwhile, they also announced that Kyle Lohse will skip a start, and with off-days, the Brewers can just pitch the rest of the rotation on regular rest. They also said that Matt Garza played catch on Friday, though still has no time table for his return.

Cram Session

• In his notebook for Saturday, Adam McCalvy notes that Ron Roenicke filed a report to MLB on Saturday's interference call, Scooter Gennett should be back to 100% from his quad injury soon, and looks at the career of former Brewer Jamey Wright.
• With his save on Friday, Francisco Rodriguez tied Rollie Fingers for 11th on the all-time saves list with 341. He would go ahead of Fingers after Saturday's save.
• Despite all of the doubters about the Brewers, they keep winning. Ryan Topp of Disciples of Uecker looks at how the Brewers keep winning and what is ahead for the team.
• The Brewers have had to play seven games against Cy Young award winners in the last three weeks. Bill Berg of Reviewing the Brew breaks down what the Brewers did in each of those games.
• The Brewers did something against Clayton Kershaw that very few have been able to do: hit home runs. Adam McCalvy looked at exactly how rare it is for the Brewers to be able to accomplish that.
• Tim Dillard tackles the subject of why baseball players spit so much in his blog.
• If you've been around BCB for a while, you've probably noticed that we use some more advanced statistics when talking about the team. FanGraphs has a glossary of these terms if you ever want to learn more about them, and they just updated their library on one of the terms we use the most: FIP.

Minor League Update

Playoff Update

• Nashville Sounds: Have fallen one game behind Memphis Redbirds for division playoff spot. Elimination number is at 16.
• Huntsville Stars: Have clinched a playoff spot.
• Brevard County Manatees: Four games behind Daytona Cubs for playoff spot. Elimination number is at 12.
• Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: Remain two games ahead of Peoria Chiefs for a second half playoff spot.
  
• DSL Brewers: Eliminated from contention.
• Helena Brewers: Four games behind Billings for playoff spot. Elimination number is at 14.
• AZL Brewers: Ten games behind AZL Indians for playoff spot. Elimination number is at 2. Also one game behind AZL Reds for second in overall standings, can make playoffs if AZL Indians win second half and AZL Brewers finish second in overall standings.

News & Notes

• Brad Krause of Miller Park Prospects has a photo gallery from Sunday's doubleheader for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
• The Brewers agreements with Nashville and Huntsville expire at the end of the season, but there is currently no news on a renewal for either affiliate.

Division Update

• Padres @ Cardinals
  Friday: Cardinals 4, Padres 2
  Saturday: Padres 9, Cardinals 5
  Sunday: Cardinals 7, Padres 6
• Pirates @ Nationals
  Friday: Nationals 5, Pirates 4
  Saturday: Nationals 4, Pirates 3
  Sunday: Nationals 6, Pirates 5
• Reds @ Rockies
  Friday: Reds 3, Rockies 2
  Sunday: Rockies 10, Reds 9
  Sunday: Rockies 10, Reds 5
• Cubs @ Mets
  Friday: Mets 3, Cubs 2
  Saturday: Mets 7, Cubs 3
  Sunday: Cubs 2, Mets 1

Today's Division Games

• Reds (Mike Leake) @ Cardinals (Justin Masterson) - 7:15 pm
• Braves (Ervin Santana) @ Pirates (Vance Worley) - 6:05 pm
• Cubs (Kyle Hendricks) @ Mets (Carlos Torres) - 11:10 am

Today's Action

The Brewers have the day off today. They will return to action tomorrow as they start a two-game series against the Blue Jays at Miller Park.