Brewers fans everywhere rejoice - we are heading to October baseball!
For an event 26 years in the making, it was amazing how many things had to happen on the last day of the regular season for the Milwaukee Brewers.
It took a career-defining pitching performance by CC Sabathia.
It took yet another dramatic home run by the franchise's new "Kid," Ryan Braun.
It took a professional at-bat by the cagey veteran, Craig Counsell, who worked a walk with the bases loaded to tie the game.
And hundreds of miles away, it took a go-ahead home run by a former Brewer, Wes Helms, a symbol of the franchise's futility for the past two and a half decades.
Three weeks ago, the wheels started to fall off. Two weeks ago, it was looking dire. One week ago, they were counted out. Today, the Milwaukee Brewers are the National League Wild Card Champions. And "wild" doesn't even begin to describe the past week.
In the years to come, fans will talk about CC's masterpieces, Braun's blasts, Prince's heroics, Gallardo's guts, Sveum's calm leadership, and several other moments that defined the final week of the 2008 regular season. But in the days to come, everyone will be focusing on the immediate future.
Brewers vs. Phillies. Playoffs. Enjoy it.
Showing posts with label Ryan Braun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Braun. Show all posts
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Brewers Notes
-After last night's dramatic walk-off winner against the Pirates, the Brewers remain in a tie for the Wild Card. Ryan Braun, who hit the game-winning grand slam, talked about his struggles lately, and the injuries that have plagued him.
-Meanwhile, in the celebration that took place at home plate after Braun's blast, JJ Hardy may have injured his hand.
-While Braun's homer was definitely the big highlight of the night, the start made by Yovani Gallardo can't be overlooked. Drew Olson compares Gallardo's comeback to Curt Schilling's "bloody sock" game. I don't think Gallardo's start was on the same level, but it was definitely significant.
In many ways, Gallardo's start last night can be seen as the emergence of Milwaukee's new ace. CC Sabathia will be gone next year. Ben Sheets will most likely be gone too - even if the Brewers could re-sign Sheets, I think it would be unwise to give a big contract to a starting pitcher who has proven himself to be injury-prone and unreliable. The Brewers are close to a playoff berth - which would be their first since 1982 - and Sheets has not been able to rise to the occasion, because of "soreness." Meanwhile, Yovani Gallardo takes the mound less than 5 months after tearing his ACL, and gives Milwaukee a chance to win a much-needed game. Pitching wins championships, and the future looks bright with Gallardo as Milwaukee's ace.
-If Ben Sheets can't pitch Saturday, it will be up to Dave Bush. By the way, this is what Sheets had to say Thursday after throwing a bullpen session:
“Nothing’s changed,” he said. “It went all right but it’s still wait-and-see. I’m fine at throwing 75%. I always have been. If they promise me they won’t swing at it, I’ll go out there and do that all day.”
Not exactly the words of an ace who is willing to do whatever it takes for the team to win.
-It will be interesting to see how much playing time the cub regulars get in this series. Chicago has already wrapped up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. In their last two games against the Mets, several cubs were given days off. Here are the pitching matchups for the series:
Friday:
Milwaukee - Jeff Suppan (10-10, 5.06 ERA; 1-1, 9.00 ERA vs. Chicago this year)
Chicago - Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.99 ERA; 4-0 vs. Milwaukee this year)
Saturday:
Milwaukee - TBA, Ben Sheets (13-8, 2.98 ERA, 1-1 vs. Chicago this year) or Dave Bush (9-10, 4.25 ERA, 0-2 vs. Chicago this year)
Chicago - Ted Lilly (16-9, 4.17 ERA, 0-1 vs. Milwaukee this year)
Sunday:
Milwaukee - CC Sabathia (16-10, 2.80 ERA, 0-1 vs. Chicago this year)
Chicago - Jason Marquis (11-9, 4.43 ERA, 0-2 vs. Milwaukee this year)
-Check out this ESPN feature on the Brewers as they enter the final weekend of the regular season.
UPDATE: Ben Sheets is now scheduled to start Saturday. Perhaps Gallardo's start last night has inspired Sheets.
-Meanwhile, in the celebration that took place at home plate after Braun's blast, JJ Hardy may have injured his hand.
-While Braun's homer was definitely the big highlight of the night, the start made by Yovani Gallardo can't be overlooked. Drew Olson compares Gallardo's comeback to Curt Schilling's "bloody sock" game. I don't think Gallardo's start was on the same level, but it was definitely significant.
In many ways, Gallardo's start last night can be seen as the emergence of Milwaukee's new ace. CC Sabathia will be gone next year. Ben Sheets will most likely be gone too - even if the Brewers could re-sign Sheets, I think it would be unwise to give a big contract to a starting pitcher who has proven himself to be injury-prone and unreliable. The Brewers are close to a playoff berth - which would be their first since 1982 - and Sheets has not been able to rise to the occasion, because of "soreness." Meanwhile, Yovani Gallardo takes the mound less than 5 months after tearing his ACL, and gives Milwaukee a chance to win a much-needed game. Pitching wins championships, and the future looks bright with Gallardo as Milwaukee's ace.
-If Ben Sheets can't pitch Saturday, it will be up to Dave Bush. By the way, this is what Sheets had to say Thursday after throwing a bullpen session:
“Nothing’s changed,” he said. “It went all right but it’s still wait-and-see. I’m fine at throwing 75%. I always have been. If they promise me they won’t swing at it, I’ll go out there and do that all day.”
Not exactly the words of an ace who is willing to do whatever it takes for the team to win.
-It will be interesting to see how much playing time the cub regulars get in this series. Chicago has already wrapped up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. In their last two games against the Mets, several cubs were given days off. Here are the pitching matchups for the series:
Friday:
Milwaukee - Jeff Suppan (10-10, 5.06 ERA; 1-1, 9.00 ERA vs. Chicago this year)
Chicago - Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.99 ERA; 4-0 vs. Milwaukee this year)
Saturday:
Milwaukee - TBA, Ben Sheets (13-8, 2.98 ERA, 1-1 vs. Chicago this year) or Dave Bush (9-10, 4.25 ERA, 0-2 vs. Chicago this year)
Chicago - Ted Lilly (16-9, 4.17 ERA, 0-1 vs. Milwaukee this year)
Sunday:
Milwaukee - CC Sabathia (16-10, 2.80 ERA, 0-1 vs. Chicago this year)
Chicago - Jason Marquis (11-9, 4.43 ERA, 0-2 vs. Milwaukee this year)
-Check out this ESPN feature on the Brewers as they enter the final weekend of the regular season.
UPDATE: Ben Sheets is now scheduled to start Saturday. Perhaps Gallardo's start last night has inspired Sheets.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Brewers To Yost: Your Services Are No Longer Wanted
Back in June, after a particularly pathetic loss, I was riding home from Miller Park and listening to the post-game radio show. The first caller, in a thick Wisconsin accent, loudly proclaimed "Ned Yost has got to go," and then hung up. Today that caller, and many other Brewer fans, got their wish.
The firing comes a day after Milwaukee was swept by Philadelphia, erasing their lead in the Wild Card. Ryan Braun had this to say afterwards. Did Braun's comments have an influence on the decision?
The timing of this decision is definitely questionable. If it were up to me, I would have fired Yost after the cubs came into Miller Park and swept the Brewers. John Kruk was on ESPN radio today, and he said that some Brewers players have told him that Yost would "tighten up" during big games and big series. That's pretty bad, especially because a team full of young players will look to their manager to lead during those situations.
Yost was clearly in over his head in pressure situations, and he consistently made poor decisions (especially when it came to managing his bullpen). The Brewers should have found a manager who was experienced and had shown an ability to win in pressure situations - just think what Jim Leyland did in Detroit and Jack McKeown in Florida. Now the question becomes, what kind of impact will the firing have on the team? And what can Dale Sveum do to right this quickly sinking ship? (I've never been much of a Sveum fan, but he does have coaching experience in the postseason - and Kruk on the radio today said that he is more relaxed and might have a calming influence on the team).
It's a frustrating time to be a Brewers fan. If Milwaukee wants to make the playoffs, they will have to win more games than Philadelphia the rest of the way, and also fend off Houston. Milwaukee has a 3-game road series against Chicago, then 3 games at Cincinnati, 3 games vs. Pittsburgh, and 3 games vs. Chicago. Pretty daunting schedule. Philadelphia goes to Atlanta and Florida, and then finishes at home against Atlanta and Washington.
Speaking of the Astros, they were no-hit by the cubbies last night - at Miller Park. It's ridiculous that that series is taking place in Milwaukee. Commissioner Selig and MLB really screwed up by turning a road series for Chicago into a home series. Not to mention the fact that Houston had to travel all the way to Chicago with less than 24 hours notice. So in addition to being mentally and emotionally fatigued by the weather tragedy in Houston, the team was physically tired. Anyone who thinks what happened at Miller Park last night was "remarkable" (Steve Phillips on SportsCenter called it amazing), is foolish.
The firing comes a day after Milwaukee was swept by Philadelphia, erasing their lead in the Wild Card. Ryan Braun had this to say afterwards. Did Braun's comments have an influence on the decision?
The timing of this decision is definitely questionable. If it were up to me, I would have fired Yost after the cubs came into Miller Park and swept the Brewers. John Kruk was on ESPN radio today, and he said that some Brewers players have told him that Yost would "tighten up" during big games and big series. That's pretty bad, especially because a team full of young players will look to their manager to lead during those situations.
Yost was clearly in over his head in pressure situations, and he consistently made poor decisions (especially when it came to managing his bullpen). The Brewers should have found a manager who was experienced and had shown an ability to win in pressure situations - just think what Jim Leyland did in Detroit and Jack McKeown in Florida. Now the question becomes, what kind of impact will the firing have on the team? And what can Dale Sveum do to right this quickly sinking ship? (I've never been much of a Sveum fan, but he does have coaching experience in the postseason - and Kruk on the radio today said that he is more relaxed and might have a calming influence on the team).
It's a frustrating time to be a Brewers fan. If Milwaukee wants to make the playoffs, they will have to win more games than Philadelphia the rest of the way, and also fend off Houston. Milwaukee has a 3-game road series against Chicago, then 3 games at Cincinnati, 3 games vs. Pittsburgh, and 3 games vs. Chicago. Pretty daunting schedule. Philadelphia goes to Atlanta and Florida, and then finishes at home against Atlanta and Washington.
Speaking of the Astros, they were no-hit by the cubbies last night - at Miller Park. It's ridiculous that that series is taking place in Milwaukee. Commissioner Selig and MLB really screwed up by turning a road series for Chicago into a home series. Not to mention the fact that Houston had to travel all the way to Chicago with less than 24 hours notice. So in addition to being mentally and emotionally fatigued by the weather tragedy in Houston, the team was physically tired. Anyone who thinks what happened at Miller Park last night was "remarkable" (Steve Phillips on SportsCenter called it amazing), is foolish.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Brewers Game - Friday, June 20
The view from 14 rows behind home plate.
Unfortunately I couldn't get my camera out in time to get a good picture of the honorary first pitch, which was delivered by the "Wizard of Waukesha," Les Paul.
Unfortunately I couldn't get my camera out in time to get a good picture of the honorary first pitch, which was delivered by the "Wizard of Waukesha," Les Paul.
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio was in attendance.
J.J. Hardy sends a home run out to center field. You can see the ball streaking toward the fence.
It was a short night for Milwaukee's starter, Jeff Suppan.
Prince Fielder connects for a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning.
And is congratulated by Ryan Braun after touching home.
It was a short night for Milwaukee's starter, Jeff Suppan.
Prince Fielder connects for a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning.
And is congratulated by Ryan Braun after touching home.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Random Brewers Notes
-JSOnline's Anthony Witrado does a good job of summarizing the Brewers' recent success.
-This Yahoo Sports report includes comments by Ned Yost and Doug Melvin on the Bill Hall situation.
-Milwaukee finally picked up a game on Chicago, and the Brewers are now 6 games behind the cubs. Greg Maddux pitched 7 innings of 3-hit ball to snap Chicago's win streak at 9.
-Is it too early to start thinking about the Wild Card? Jim Powell brought it up during yesterday's game broadcast. Right now, among non-division leaders, only St. Louis (35-25) and Florida (32-26) have better records than Milwaukee.
-Chicago's Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome are currently 1st and 2nd in the All-Star balloting, while Ryan Braun is 10th for NL outfielders. Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. is 3rd. Check out their numbers:
Soriano: .284 Avg, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 31 Runs, 6 SB
Fukudome: .301 Avg, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 38 Runs, 5 SB
Griffey Jr.: .255 Avg, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 27 Runs, 0 SB
Braun: .299 Avg, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 33 Runs, 2 SB
Let's get the vote out Brewers fans!
-Milwaukee's 6-game winning streak has benefited from a lot of offensive production, but check out the lines for the starting pitchers for the past 6 games:
May 30 - Manny Parra: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
May 31 - Ben Sheets: 8.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
June 1 - Dave Bush: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
June 2 - Jeff Suppan: 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
June 3 - Seth McClung: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
June 4 - Manny Parra: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Total: 6 Starts, 41.2 IP, 32 H, 8 ER, 9 BB, 34 K, 1.73 ERA
-A preview of today's MLB draft. Let's hope the Brewers get some strong pitching arms.
-Last year at this time, Milwaukee had a comparable record at 33-27.
-This Yahoo Sports report includes comments by Ned Yost and Doug Melvin on the Bill Hall situation.
-Milwaukee finally picked up a game on Chicago, and the Brewers are now 6 games behind the cubs. Greg Maddux pitched 7 innings of 3-hit ball to snap Chicago's win streak at 9.
-Is it too early to start thinking about the Wild Card? Jim Powell brought it up during yesterday's game broadcast. Right now, among non-division leaders, only St. Louis (35-25) and Florida (32-26) have better records than Milwaukee.
-Chicago's Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome are currently 1st and 2nd in the All-Star balloting, while Ryan Braun is 10th for NL outfielders. Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. is 3rd. Check out their numbers:
Soriano: .284 Avg, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 31 Runs, 6 SB
Fukudome: .301 Avg, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 38 Runs, 5 SB
Griffey Jr.: .255 Avg, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 27 Runs, 0 SB
Braun: .299 Avg, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 33 Runs, 2 SB
Let's get the vote out Brewers fans!
-Milwaukee's 6-game winning streak has benefited from a lot of offensive production, but check out the lines for the starting pitchers for the past 6 games:
May 30 - Manny Parra: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
May 31 - Ben Sheets: 8.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
June 1 - Dave Bush: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
June 2 - Jeff Suppan: 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
June 3 - Seth McClung: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
June 4 - Manny Parra: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Total: 6 Starts, 41.2 IP, 32 H, 8 ER, 9 BB, 34 K, 1.73 ERA
-A preview of today's MLB draft. Let's hope the Brewers get some strong pitching arms.
-Last year at this time, Milwaukee had a comparable record at 33-27.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Ned Yost's Seat is Heating Up
Apparently a blogger published a report claiming that Ned Yost was to be fired, however JSOnline's Tom Haudricourt has not found any truth in that claim.
Meanwhile, Ryan Braun has "called out" his teammates. I read the comments that Braun made after the game and didn't find them to be that inflammatory. Besides, I would rather hear a player admit that things aren't going well and need to be fixed, then hear the same old tired statements like "the season is still young." This season is getting old pretty quickly for Brewers fans.
Meanwhile, Ryan Braun has "called out" his teammates. I read the comments that Braun made after the game and didn't find them to be that inflammatory. Besides, I would rather hear a player admit that things aren't going well and need to be fixed, then hear the same old tired statements like "the season is still young." This season is getting old pretty quickly for Brewers fans.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Braun a Brewer Thru 2015
I think it's a great deal, especially if you consider some of the contracts that have recently been negotiated elsewhere.
You can see video of the press conference here.
Meanwhile, what does this mean, if anything, about the future for Prince Fielder? Will the Brewers have enough cash to sign the slugger? Will he feel slighted that Braun got a long-term deal before him? What will his agent, Scott Boras, be whispering in his ear?
You can see video of the press conference here.
Meanwhile, what does this mean, if anything, about the future for Prince Fielder? Will the Brewers have enough cash to sign the slugger? Will he feel slighted that Braun got a long-term deal before him? What will his agent, Scott Boras, be whispering in his ear?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
