Brewers Win, Rivera Likely To Sit Next 3 Weeks

Only the first part of the above statement is absolutely true (the Brewers won on a walk-off homer by Gabe Kapler (after going 0-6 in his previous at-bats)). But I wouldn't be surprised if Ned Yost decides to sit Rivera for another long stretch of games. Why? Because Yost prefers to allow struggling players to continue to struggle. If Rickie Weeks or Jason Kendall were sinking in quicksand, Yost would let at least 2 weeks pass before thinking about tossing a rope to them.

Rivera went 2-for-3 today, with a key 2-out double that drove in 3 RBIs to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rivera also drew 3 walks in the game. For the season, the seldom used catcher is hitting .333, with 1 HR, 14 RBI, and 8 runs in just 17 games (54 at-bats). Do I think that he should replace Kendall everyday in the starting lineup? Of course not, especially because Kendall has an edge defensively. But Yost has clearly used him not enough, and it would be nice to see him get an increased number of at-bats in the coming weeks.

Kendall's numbers:

.243 Avg., 1 HR, 33 RBI, 35 Runs, 107 Games, 367 at-bats