Well, that's what business exec's like to tell their staff when sales/profit is low. Similar to that is probably what Ned Yost is saying to his club. Let's face it...the Crew needs to have a solid series in Miami in order to not spiral out of control. Playing a 3-game series against one of the youngest, underpaid, and highly skilled team in the National League will be a tough feat. Not to mention the rest of May looks to be a rough road:
-St Louis (4-game series) May 9-12
-LA Dodgers May 13-15
-Boston Redsox May 16-18
--------------------------
Pittsburgh and D.C. follow suit, the latter being a four-gamer. So there is a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. They then finish at home against Atlanta and Houston.
Tonight, we have Jeff Suppan (1-1) facing off against my Swedish counter-part, Scott Olsen. Once again, that's a tough match up for Suppan who gives up a lot of runs (as of late) and Olsen (3-1)who has really rejuvinated his career after hitting rock bottom. Last year he got in to a number altercations with teamates and was also issued a DUI. Keep in mind that Suppan is no sloach either. Granted he blew last week against against the Cubbies...but his first 3 starts were no-decisions. Those were 3 solid outings. So to hit the panic botton on Supp would be pre mature.
Gagne too, is someone the Brewers will not replace as the closer. Rightfield Bleachers has a good link to a story on him and the psychology of being a closer.
*Turnblow being looked at by NYMets.
TEAM WISCONSIN: A bush league blog that discusses news, rumors, and BS regarding the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Brewers have a horrid weekend.
First Villanueva, than Parra, than Gagne all blow leads/games this past weekend as the Brewers played in Houston. This was a pathetic series that resulted in the Astros jumping up in the standings.
Gagne is the only pitcher I am not at a loss of words for. This guy can still be a solid closer. Yes, I know he has blown a league leading 5 games. That being said, he is still up there on the leader board on saves. So, let him get his bad outings done early in the season. I would rather he do this now than in September. He is a veteran and has been in slumps before. I can assure you that he will make a huge impact on this team in 2008. It's going to be a rocky road though at first. Let's face it, he was pretty messed up being put in a set-up role for Boston. That really threw (no punn) him out of whack...I believe. Look at how bad it turned Turnblow. You don't move a closer out of that role unless he is going in to the starting rotation (see Dempster). Otherwise it's just mind games for a pitcher who usually is restricted to one inning a game...that being the finaly inning.
YOST WATCH: C'mon Yost, the owner has increased the salary in 08 and what do we have to show for it thus far? We're in third with the likes of Houston nipping at our heels. I hate to be a Yost Hater, but I am truly convinced that he is on the chopping block, or will be shortly. Melvin, you too should start to worry just a bit about job security as well. This was your vision to bring up the kids throw the farm system.
Two have not performed this season and the last. Weeks and Hardy, the latter having a solid first half in 2007, are both week and should be dropped in the batting order. Weeks needs to get out of the lead-off spot! Hardy can stay at 7 with Weeks folding down to 6. Cameron should be lead-off and that's a no brainer. He strikes out a lot, but he would have a better shot than Weeks.
Gagne is the only pitcher I am not at a loss of words for. This guy can still be a solid closer. Yes, I know he has blown a league leading 5 games. That being said, he is still up there on the leader board on saves. So, let him get his bad outings done early in the season. I would rather he do this now than in September. He is a veteran and has been in slumps before. I can assure you that he will make a huge impact on this team in 2008. It's going to be a rocky road though at first. Let's face it, he was pretty messed up being put in a set-up role for Boston. That really threw (no punn) him out of whack...I believe. Look at how bad it turned Turnblow. You don't move a closer out of that role unless he is going in to the starting rotation (see Dempster). Otherwise it's just mind games for a pitcher who usually is restricted to one inning a game...that being the finaly inning.
YOST WATCH: C'mon Yost, the owner has increased the salary in 08 and what do we have to show for it thus far? We're in third with the likes of Houston nipping at our heels. I hate to be a Yost Hater, but I am truly convinced that he is on the chopping block, or will be shortly. Melvin, you too should start to worry just a bit about job security as well. This was your vision to bring up the kids throw the farm system.
Two have not performed this season and the last. Weeks and Hardy, the latter having a solid first half in 2007, are both week and should be dropped in the batting order. Weeks needs to get out of the lead-off spot! Hardy can stay at 7 with Weeks folding down to 6. Cameron should be lead-off and that's a no brainer. He strikes out a lot, but he would have a better shot than Weeks.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Three Straight Dingers Doom Milwaukee
What turned out to be a good outing for the Charlie Villanueva, ended with the young pitcher giving up back-to-back-to-back home runs. Charlie (1-3) held the Astro's scoreless through 4 innings and retired the first 11 batters of the game.
That of course ended in a hurry. Milwaukee is near the top in giving up homers to opposing teams until last night. I would have to say they lead the league now having given up 5 homers.
Not much to talk about this game other than the fact that Charlie was throwing the ball too high in a park that is destined to see batters go yard. The left field wall is only at 315 ft, while center is 436. I do like that ballpark though. It has a deceptive design to it that makes left field look like it's much closer than it really is. While center has a damn flag pole that sticks out like a sore thumb and a incline that leads up to the fence.
That pole still marks the spot where Richie Sexon smashed, what looked to be, a home run when he was with the Brewers. Instead, the ball bounced of the pole to land in the park. There is still a white mark on the pole where Sexon's ball had hit some odd years ago.
Why does Rickie Weeks continue at the lead-off spot? He's batting a lowly .195 with 20 hits. Pretty sad considering the fact that it is his role to get on base. Even that is pretty low with an OBP of .326. I just don't know about him anymore. He has been in the big leagues now for 5 years. Every year we say...."He is due"....."This is his season to break out of his shell"......"yadda yadda".
I am tired of hearing that.
Braun picked up the pace by belting another HR (5) in the first inning.
Fielder is bad at base running but good at hitting doubles (7).
There is only one batter in the starting line-up that is batting over .300!
Cory Hart @ .302
Bill Hall has 5 errors thus far in the season at 3rd. There is some slack given to him considering the change of positions over the past 3 seasons.
Miguel Tijada promises to hit a home run in last night's game to a sick child.
That of course ended in a hurry. Milwaukee is near the top in giving up homers to opposing teams until last night. I would have to say they lead the league now having given up 5 homers.
Not much to talk about this game other than the fact that Charlie was throwing the ball too high in a park that is destined to see batters go yard. The left field wall is only at 315 ft, while center is 436. I do like that ballpark though. It has a deceptive design to it that makes left field look like it's much closer than it really is. While center has a damn flag pole that sticks out like a sore thumb and a incline that leads up to the fence.
That pole still marks the spot where Richie Sexon smashed, what looked to be, a home run when he was with the Brewers. Instead, the ball bounced of the pole to land in the park. There is still a white mark on the pole where Sexon's ball had hit some odd years ago.
Why does Rickie Weeks continue at the lead-off spot? He's batting a lowly .195 with 20 hits. Pretty sad considering the fact that it is his role to get on base. Even that is pretty low with an OBP of .326. I just don't know about him anymore. He has been in the big leagues now for 5 years. Every year we say...."He is due"....."This is his season to break out of his shell"......"yadda yadda".
I am tired of hearing that.
Braun picked up the pace by belting another HR (5) in the first inning.
Fielder is bad at base running but good at hitting doubles (7).
There is only one batter in the starting line-up that is batting over .300!
Cory Hart @ .302
Bill Hall has 5 errors thus far in the season at 3rd. There is some slack given to him considering the change of positions over the past 3 seasons.
Miguel Tijada promises to hit a home run in last night's game to a sick child.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Kelvin Sampson is new addition to Skiels' Staff!
I feel that this is a great addition to the team. He can connect with the younger players and help them make the transition to the NBA. Granted, he has questionable ethics...that being said he should fit right in to the NBA. Furthermore, he provides an in-depth analysis of the up and coming draft. Could we see DJ White or Eric Gordon in a Red & Green? Who knows. I do know that Sampson will only help this coaching staff turn around the team!
Gallardo Out Indefinitely....Torn ACL
This is horrible news for our team. He was our crutch if Sheets went out. We need to actively get out there and bring in a starter. Who knows...Cleveland could be getting a call from Melvin soon.
Turnbow Cut / Joe Dillon Is Summoned
No shocker here, only that it is well overdue. Yost tends to shell out too many chances with slumping players like Jenkins, Capuano, and Weeks. Turnbow should have been sent down last year but Yost waited far too long. Likewise with Capy and Weeks, the latter of course was sent down only after a couple of struggling months. Upon return he came back hotter than hemroids. One needs to get broken down and hit rock bottom before they can be rebuilt.
That being said, we now have one more batter/fielder to add to the line-up which is a good thing considering the abundance of pitchers on the roster (12 now). So, Turnblow & the Crew now have 10 days to decide his fate. There a considerable amount of money involved, like 3.2mm salary. There are some teams out there who would take a chance.
The next question is what to do with Dave Bush? His time is near.
Package the two? Perhaps bait teams for a strong left handed infielder, hell, maybe a shortstop/utility man? Councell just isn't the answer for me. We need a stonger, younger player is the jack of all trades.....master of none (well hitting would be good).
That being said, we now have one more batter/fielder to add to the line-up which is a good thing considering the abundance of pitchers on the roster (12 now). So, Turnblow & the Crew now have 10 days to decide his fate. There a considerable amount of money involved, like 3.2mm salary. There are some teams out there who would take a chance.
The next question is what to do with Dave Bush? His time is near.
Package the two? Perhaps bait teams for a strong left handed infielder, hell, maybe a shortstop/utility man? Councell just isn't the answer for me. We need a stonger, younger player is the jack of all trades.....master of none (well hitting would be good).
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