I swear, Ned Yost just doesn't believe in winning on the road. I'm convinced he goes home at night and tells himself that a team just doesn't need to show up in opposing stadiums. I've struggled to pinpoint how a team with one of the best records in the National League can be so futile on the road. I honestly believe it starts with management. The Brewers haven't been able to do anything in stadiums not named Miller Park for the past two or three years. It quite honestly could be their unraveling come mid-September.
With 28 home games left on the docket opposed to 32 road games, this statistic might loom larger than any other as the Brewers attempt to make the post season. Unfortunately, unless they find out a way to turn it around in a hurry (20-29 on the road going into the St. Louis series), it's a stat that could haunt them and cost them dearly.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Please, Brian, Please
Brian Anderson, I like you. For now. But can you please nip the jinxing the team crap ala Darron Sutton now before it's August which will become September and (hopefully) October? Exhibit number one, talking about how Yovani Gallardo has a scoreless inning streak of 18 2/3 going prior to taking the hill in the bottom of the seventh with a pitch count at 94. You can't tell me you were surprised when he gave up a run in the seventh tonight.
Then because of this unwitty banter, it triggers Bill Schroeder to plug how well Turnbow looked last night and needed very few pitches to retire the Reds in order, which of course led to a lead-off single by Brandon Phillips. Brandon Phillips, Brewers announce team, is the number one Brewers slayer, in case you missed the memo. When he comes up to bat, at any point during a game, you should say, "Brandon Phillips is up and he's good."
Then, with Phillips on first, you two start talking about how Turnbow is a power pitcher vs. a power hitter in Adam Dunn and he strikes out a lot. Why not just gift wrap that dinger he ripped of D-Bow?
The Crew hung on for the victory tonight, evening this extremely pivotal (in my mind) series with the Reds at 1-1. Soup takes the hill tomorrow vs. Lohse. The Reds pen is pretty taxed after tonight, something to keep in mind if the bats can actually recall how to make contact with the ball in the early innings.
Some other quick food for thought. After some quick research utilizing my media guide, in 2004, Manny Parra was the 4th best prospect and top pitching prospect in the Brewers minor league system according to Baseball America. He was behind (in order) Dick Weeks, Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy.
Then because of this unwitty banter, it triggers Bill Schroeder to plug how well Turnbow looked last night and needed very few pitches to retire the Reds in order, which of course led to a lead-off single by Brandon Phillips. Brandon Phillips, Brewers announce team, is the number one Brewers slayer, in case you missed the memo. When he comes up to bat, at any point during a game, you should say, "Brandon Phillips is up and he's good."
Then, with Phillips on first, you two start talking about how Turnbow is a power pitcher vs. a power hitter in Adam Dunn and he strikes out a lot. Why not just gift wrap that dinger he ripped of D-Bow?
The Crew hung on for the victory tonight, evening this extremely pivotal (in my mind) series with the Reds at 1-1. Soup takes the hill tomorrow vs. Lohse. The Reds pen is pretty taxed after tonight, something to keep in mind if the bats can actually recall how to make contact with the ball in the early innings.
Some other quick food for thought. After some quick research utilizing my media guide, in 2004, Manny Parra was the 4th best prospect and top pitching prospect in the Brewers minor league system according to Baseball America. He was behind (in order) Dick Weeks, Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy.
Monday, July 23, 2007
What I'd like to see...
Sorry for the delays on the posts wrapping up the home stand, I was a tad busy with Festa Italiana. Instead of rehashing the details of how Jimmy and I (and Trikes) once again put the screws to an opponent via a Sunday home game W, I thought I'd start a short list of things I'd like to see at Miller Park this season:
1. Less Grant Balfour - I didn't know you spelled Balfour HENDRICKSON. Put him on waivers as I'm sure he'll never pitch in a Brewers uniform ever again, so why waste the time and effort?
2. Fans standing for the entire top of the 9th when the Crew has the lead - All the fans get up on their feet after the second out is recorded. I'd love to see the entire stadium stand when CoCo enters from the bullpen and remain standing until he records the final out.
3. More novelty tees in the parking lots - We're working on this one. My personal favorite so far this season? "Bill Hall Wins Games."
4. More Manny Parra - I think this kids the real deal. What's not to like about him thus far? We'll find out a lot more about him after he most likely gets the start in the nightcap of the double header vs. the Cardinals this weekend.
5. An occasional curtain call - The Brewers are one dinger behind the Reds in total home runs this season. While it's no Great American Ballpark in which lazy fly balls land in the bleachers, Miller Park is definitely a hitter's haven. I'd love to see guys like Braun, Prince and Hart pop back out of the dugout to tip the cap.
Three games left in the Reds series, all of them winnable. A road series win would be much appreciated right now, even though Ned doesn't believe in winning on the road.
1. Less Grant Balfour - I didn't know you spelled Balfour HENDRICKSON. Put him on waivers as I'm sure he'll never pitch in a Brewers uniform ever again, so why waste the time and effort?
2. Fans standing for the entire top of the 9th when the Crew has the lead - All the fans get up on their feet after the second out is recorded. I'd love to see the entire stadium stand when CoCo enters from the bullpen and remain standing until he records the final out.
3. More novelty tees in the parking lots - We're working on this one. My personal favorite so far this season? "Bill Hall Wins Games."
4. More Manny Parra - I think this kids the real deal. What's not to like about him thus far? We'll find out a lot more about him after he most likely gets the start in the nightcap of the double header vs. the Cardinals this weekend.
5. An occasional curtain call - The Brewers are one dinger behind the Reds in total home runs this season. While it's no Great American Ballpark in which lazy fly balls land in the bleachers, Miller Park is definitely a hitter's haven. I'd love to see guys like Braun, Prince and Hart pop back out of the dugout to tip the cap.
Three games left in the Reds series, all of them winnable. A road series win would be much appreciated right now, even though Ned doesn't believe in winning on the road.
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