What We Learned: Tanking continues as Jungmann struggles

Yesterday's Results

Cardinals 7, Brewers 3

While I don't think the Brewers are trying to intentionally tank right now, their recent performance has cause them to fall in the standings. Last night started well enough, with the Brewers scoring three runs in the first inning. However, Taylor Jungmann fell apart in the fourth and fifth innings, as the Cardinals took a 6-3 lead and didn't look back. With the loss, the Brewers are currently tied for the 5th overall pick in next year's draft. The #1 pick may be out of reach at this point with the Phillies seven games worse than the Brewers with nine to play, but #2 is in play as the Braves are only two games worse.

Brewers News & Notes

• Jonathan Lucroy returned to action yesterday for the first time since sustaining a concussion on September 8. He apperaed as a pinch-hitter and hit a single. He could be back in the starting lineup as early as Saturday, though at first base.
• With his season over, Wily Peralta is looking to next season and what we can do to have a better season. Adam McCalvy reports that Peralta is determined to work harder this offseason so he doesn't struggle as much as he did this season.
• The Brewers are stocked at the shortstop position right now, but Yadiel Rivera still wants to catch on somewhere for the Brewers. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that Rivera is hoping to make an impression with his call-up, and his versatility could give him a chance to stick around.

Minor League Update

• Tony Blengino of FanGraphs ranked all 30 minor-league systems using minor-league statistics for some of their top prospects. The Brewers took the biggest leap forward in these rankings, jumping all the way to #11 overall.
• Also on FanGraphs, Chris Mitchell projects the WAR of the six Biloxi callups through their age-28 seasons.
• Brad Krause of Miller Park Prospects has a profile of one of the new Brewers pitchers, Jorge Lopez. Lopez is scheduled to make one start before the end of the season, on Tuesday against San Diego.

NL Central Update

• Pirates 5, Rockies 4
• Mets 6, Reds 4

This Weekend's Division Games

• Pirates @ Cubs
  Friday: Gerrit Cole vs. Jon Lester - 1:20 pm
  Saturday: Francisco Liriano vs. Jason Hammel - 12:05 pm
  Sunday: A.J. Burnett vs. Jake Arrieta - 7:08 pm
• Mets @ Reds
  Friday: Noah Syndergaard vs. Anthony DeSclafani - 6:10 pm
  Saturday: Matt Harvey vs. John Lamb - 3:10 pm
  Sunday: Jason deGrom vs. Keyvius Sampson - 12:10 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• The Red Sox promoted assistant GM Mike Hazen to the roles of senior vice president and general mananger.
• Royals reliever Greg Holland has been shut down for the season with a "significant" tear in his UCL. He is likely heading for Tommy John surgery, which would keep him out through 2016.
• So far, three playoff spots have been clinched. The Royals became the latest to clinch a spot yesterday when their win over Seattle clinched the AL Central for them. They also are the first team to clinch a division. In addition, the Cardinals and Pirates have clinched playoff spots, but not the NL Central. The Cubs could end the NL Wild Card race with a win today or a loss by the Giants.

This Weekend's Action

The series against the Cardinals continues through the weekend. Yesterday, Derek wrote a short preview for the series. Here are the starting pitcher matchups.

Friday: Ariel Pena vs. Carlos Martinez - 7:15 pm
Saturday: Tyler Wagner vs. Jaime Garcia - 6:15 pm
Sunday: Tyler Cravy vs. John Lackey - 1:15 pm