The good news is that I have things to do other than watch and write about the Brewers. The bad news is that I'm not always able to update this blog after every game. Oh, the perils of enjoying the summer time.
The past six games have been very satisfying. While that is the type of comment you would expect after a 6-game winning streak, the effectiveness of the pitching staff is what I'm referring to. Narveson has arguable the worst start of the win streak today, yet he still went 6.2 innings and allowed only three runs. Meanwhile Gallardo, Wolf, and Marcum are humming along and Greinke is finally looking Greinke-like (he has a 2.27 ERA since blowing up in the Bronx on June 28th).
The only concern I have lies with the offense. The bats have not exactly been lighting it up recently, and that could be problematic when they start playing a team that can score more than four runs, such as the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Brewers swept the Cardinals when the two teams played in June, so I imagine St. Louis is looking for a little payback. Unfortunately for them, just like in June they will have to face Greinke, Marcum, and Wolf in the series. I like the Brewers to take 2 of 3 in this series, though 1 of 3 would not be the end of the world. But regardless of the outcome, the Brewers are playing a high-profile series in August. It doesn't get much better than that.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Game One Hundred and Seven: Brewers 4, Astros 0
Box Score
The Brewers' offense has been punch-less over the past four games, but that has not stopped them from winning every one of them. Having a good pitching staff and facing the dregs of the NL Central helps as well.
In my last post I mentioned the possibility of the Brewers catching lightning in a bottle while attempting to replace Rickie Weeks. Felipe Lopez going 2-4 with a run scored last night illustrates what I mean. Over the long term Lopez is nowhere near as good as Weeks, however, Lopez could be as good as Joe Morgan in his prime over a 4-6 game stretch. That's just how baseball works.
Other Notes:
-The Brewers will finish July with a winning record. They have a winning record in every month they played more than one game.
-Randy Wolf has pitched at least six innings in ten consecutive starts, and in only 2 of his 22 starts on the season did he fail to pitch at least five innings. Should the Brewers make the playoffs, he will be a big reason why.
-The Astros traded their best player during last night's game (Hunter Pence), which bodes will for the rest of this series and future games vs. the 'Stros.
The Brewers' offense has been punch-less over the past four games, but that has not stopped them from winning every one of them. Having a good pitching staff and facing the dregs of the NL Central helps as well.
In my last post I mentioned the possibility of the Brewers catching lightning in a bottle while attempting to replace Rickie Weeks. Felipe Lopez going 2-4 with a run scored last night illustrates what I mean. Over the long term Lopez is nowhere near as good as Weeks, however, Lopez could be as good as Joe Morgan in his prime over a 4-6 game stretch. That's just how baseball works.
Other Notes:
-The Brewers will finish July with a winning record. They have a winning record in every month they played more than one game.
-Randy Wolf has pitched at least six innings in ten consecutive starts, and in only 2 of his 22 starts on the season did he fail to pitch at least five innings. Should the Brewers make the playoffs, he will be a big reason why.
-The Astros traded their best player during last night's game (Hunter Pence), which bodes will for the rest of this series and future games vs. the 'Stros.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Game 105 & 106
There are few things I enjoy as a sports fan as watching my favorite team sweep the Cubs. Unfortunately this has not been a common event, so it was with great joy that I watched the Brewers take 3 of 3 from the northsiders. Under normal circumstances there would be only positive things to say about the sweep, but in this case the sweep came at price.
Rickie Weeks is going to be out for 2-6 weeks. The double whammy here is that Weeks is both a tremendous offensive asset and difficult to replace. While it's true that all-star second basemen do not grow on trees, the Brewers really don't have any remotely competent second basemen to take his place. I am as big a fan of Craig Counsell as anybody, but the man is clearly done as a major league baseball player.
On the bright side, if the Brewers' starters and relievers keep pitching this well the loss of Weeks will be mitigated. Keep in mind the Brewers just swept the Cubs despite scoring only nine runs in three games. Yes, it's the Cubs, but still.
Looking ahead, the Brewers need to take at least 2 of 3 from the Astros. But more importantly, they need to fine a short-term solution at second base. The good news is that no matter who the Brewers acquire, it's always possible to catch lightning in a bottle.
Rickie Weeks is going to be out for 2-6 weeks. The double whammy here is that Weeks is both a tremendous offensive asset and difficult to replace. While it's true that all-star second basemen do not grow on trees, the Brewers really don't have any remotely competent second basemen to take his place. I am as big a fan of Craig Counsell as anybody, but the man is clearly done as a major league baseball player.
On the bright side, if the Brewers' starters and relievers keep pitching this well the loss of Weeks will be mitigated. Keep in mind the Brewers just swept the Cubs despite scoring only nine runs in three games. Yes, it's the Cubs, but still.
Looking ahead, the Brewers need to take at least 2 of 3 from the Astros. But more importantly, they need to fine a short-term solution at second base. The good news is that no matter who the Brewers acquire, it's always possible to catch lightning in a bottle.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Game One Hundred and Four: Brewers 3, Cubs 2
Box Score
I started watching this game in the bottom of the second. At the time the Brewers were leading 3-2 and I was expecting to see a lot more runs. From that point on what the game lacked in runs in made up for in tension.
In the top of the 6th the Cubs had the bases loaded with nobody out. I expected Kameron Loe come in an pour gas on the fire. Instead he induced a 5-2 put-out and an inning-ending double play. This was not only exciting, but also goes to show that Loe, when used properly, is a valuable piece of the bullpen. He can get righties out quite well and with his sinker can conjure up a lot of grounders.
After K-Rod dominated his way through the 8th, Axford game in and went through the Cubs 1-2-3. Unfortunately Rickie Weeks did not want to stop playing, so he booted Fukudome's grounder, leading to a stolen base. With a runner in scoring position, Axford fell behind 3-1 and visions of a rotten birthday gift from the Brewers started dancing in my head. But all's well that ends well, and the Ax Man struck out Blake DeWitt to end the game. Happy Birthday to me.
One last note on the game: It was nice to see the Brewers play the Cubs and Miller Park NOT be dominated by Cubs fans. I will be very happy if this is a sign of things to come.
I started watching this game in the bottom of the second. At the time the Brewers were leading 3-2 and I was expecting to see a lot more runs. From that point on what the game lacked in runs in made up for in tension.
In the top of the 6th the Cubs had the bases loaded with nobody out. I expected Kameron Loe come in an pour gas on the fire. Instead he induced a 5-2 put-out and an inning-ending double play. This was not only exciting, but also goes to show that Loe, when used properly, is a valuable piece of the bullpen. He can get righties out quite well and with his sinker can conjure up a lot of grounders.
After K-Rod dominated his way through the 8th, Axford game in and went through the Cubs 1-2-3. Unfortunately Rickie Weeks did not want to stop playing, so he booted Fukudome's grounder, leading to a stolen base. With a runner in scoring position, Axford fell behind 3-1 and visions of a rotten birthday gift from the Brewers started dancing in my head. But all's well that ends well, and the Ax Man struck out Blake DeWitt to end the game. Happy Birthday to me.
One last note on the game: It was nice to see the Brewers play the Cubs and Miller Park NOT be dominated by Cubs fans. I will be very happy if this is a sign of things to come.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Games 101 & 102
The San Francisco Giants have an absurdly dominant pitching staff. They lead the NL in ERA (3.11), strikeouts (835), and walks allowed (298). In order to beat them you cannot beat yourself. Unfortunately the Brewers lead the league in beating themselves (they've made more outs on the bases than any other team in the majors).
In today's game the winning run was scored because the Josh Wilson lost a pop-up in the sun. This lead to a sac fly that otherwise would have been the last out of the inning. In addition to that mishap, Wilson struck out on three pitches with a runner on third and one out in the third. Given how well Gallardo was pitching and how feeble the Giants' offense is, a positive outcome on those two plays most likely would have led to a Brewers victory.
Yesterday the Brewers were victimized by Nyjer Morgan getting thrown out trying to steal third base. This not only ended the inning, but at the time Ryan Braun had a 3-1 count. Getting a hit is the hardest thing in sports to accomplish, so there is no guarantee Braun would have driven Morgan home. But still, the stupidity of Morgan in that situation is staggering. There is no need to provide any assistance to the best pitching staff in the majors.
Despite the last two games, I am happy with the road trip. The Brewers have survived a brutal stretch of games, are tied for first place, and have a very favorable schedule for the rest of the season. The only dominant team they will play for the rest of the season is the Philadelphia Phillies. The bulk of their remaining schedule features games against their mediocre NL Central brethren.
The road to the playoffs begins on Tuesday.
In today's game the winning run was scored because the Josh Wilson lost a pop-up in the sun. This lead to a sac fly that otherwise would have been the last out of the inning. In addition to that mishap, Wilson struck out on three pitches with a runner on third and one out in the third. Given how well Gallardo was pitching and how feeble the Giants' offense is, a positive outcome on those two plays most likely would have led to a Brewers victory.
Yesterday the Brewers were victimized by Nyjer Morgan getting thrown out trying to steal third base. This not only ended the inning, but at the time Ryan Braun had a 3-1 count. Getting a hit is the hardest thing in sports to accomplish, so there is no guarantee Braun would have driven Morgan home. But still, the stupidity of Morgan in that situation is staggering. There is no need to provide any assistance to the best pitching staff in the majors.
Despite the last two games, I am happy with the road trip. The Brewers have survived a brutal stretch of games, are tied for first place, and have a very favorable schedule for the rest of the season. The only dominant team they will play for the rest of the season is the Philadelphia Phillies. The bulk of their remaining schedule features games against their mediocre NL Central brethren.
The road to the playoffs begins on Tuesday.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Game One Hundred: Brewers 4, Giants 2
Box Score
The road trip I predicted would sink the Brewers has proven to be surprisingly enjoyable. Regardless of what happens in the next two games, this trip has be successful. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come on the road.
The road trip I predicted would sink the Brewers has proven to be surprisingly enjoyable. Regardless of what happens in the next two games, this trip has be successful. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come on the road.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Game Ninety Nine: Diamondbacks 4, Brewers 0
Box Score
One of the best parts of the baseball season is watching the Brewers play after they've had a nice stretch of success. I was very relaxed during tonight's game because after winning four of five (and stealing one last night) I knew I could let my guard down. This is a good thing, because this was a frustrating game.
Grienke had an excellent outing despite surrendering two solo home runs in the 4th, but his outing was spoiled because the Brew Crew was unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Nyjer Morgan flied out to end the inning with the bases loaded in the 5th and Braun grounded into a rally-killing double play in the 8th, which essentially sealed the defeat. Morgan and Braun are two players you want up in those situations, but tonight was just not their night. Oh well, it happens.
Looking ahead, the Brewers have a tough series ahead of them in San Francisco. Meanwhile the Cardinals and Pirates will square off, so you have to believe the Brewers will be in good shape regardless of what happens in San Francisco. With that said, anything outside of getting swept would make me one happy camper.
And looking back for some perspective, the Brewers were 46-53 at this point last season and hopelessly out of any sort of contention.
One of the best parts of the baseball season is watching the Brewers play after they've had a nice stretch of success. I was very relaxed during tonight's game because after winning four of five (and stealing one last night) I knew I could let my guard down. This is a good thing, because this was a frustrating game.
Grienke had an excellent outing despite surrendering two solo home runs in the 4th, but his outing was spoiled because the Brew Crew was unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Nyjer Morgan flied out to end the inning with the bases loaded in the 5th and Braun grounded into a rally-killing double play in the 8th, which essentially sealed the defeat. Morgan and Braun are two players you want up in those situations, but tonight was just not their night. Oh well, it happens.
Looking ahead, the Brewers have a tough series ahead of them in San Francisco. Meanwhile the Cardinals and Pirates will square off, so you have to believe the Brewers will be in good shape regardless of what happens in San Francisco. With that said, anything outside of getting swept would make me one happy camper.
And looking back for some perspective, the Brewers were 46-53 at this point last season and hopelessly out of any sort of contention.
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