7/17/07 D'Backs (Petit) @ Brewers (Vargas): 7:05 PM CDT

[rluzinski]

His run support has been good, but it has been the same as Ben Sheets run support this year (5.5 vs. 5.4).

 

They both have gotten insanely good run support this year (min 80 IP):

 

LINK

 

That has helped both their records immensely. Baseball Prospectus calculates the expected records for starting pitchers, assuming they get average run support and (I believe) average relief help. Sheets' expected record is 11-8. Vargas's expected record is 5.0-4.3. In Vargas's 15 starts, the Brewers offense has scored 7 or more runs, 6 times and 5 or more runs 8 times. They better have a good record in those games.

 

That said, I'm not complaining that the Brewers' #5 pitcher has a 4.52 ERA. I'm a little concerned that his ERA has a bit of good luck in there and that the length of his starts have been relatively short but overall, it's hard to complain so far.

[rluzinski]

The problem with the aggressive pinch hitting Russ is that with those extreme splits the other manager can always comeback and get you at an extreme disadvantage the other way by subbing in again latter in the game.

 

I wouldn't want Yost to pinch hit Mench for Jenkins. I'd rather he use that decent, young RH corner outfielder that Melvin is going to trade for soon. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Lil Dummy]

Here's to seeing anyone not named Weeks starting at second tonight. Preferably Counsell.

[JohnBriggs12]

Weeks is not going to snap out of it sitting on the bench, especially in favor of a guy who's just 2 for 16 himself this month.

 

No, to win, they need the real Rickie Weeks. I thought he looked ready to break out a bit Friday and Saturday when he had a hit, 2 walks, and a SB. But having Graffanino hit for him and then having him sit Sunday seemed to have negated what confidence he might have gained in those two games.

[TooLiveBrew]

Unfortunately, I was in attendance Sunday to see the 'lineup' which included TG & CC. *barf!* Counsell was putrid, chopping his first three at bats to either the 2Bman or 1Bman. Awful. (his D, as always, was stellar)

 

Obviously JJ got really tired out drawing that one BB in the ASG, and Weeks needed a day off too, huh? Poor managing, Ned. And I'm one of your biggest backers. Having that duo in the lineup darn near cost us the game. No offense was clicking - at all - until very late. A better team would've handed us the loss on Sunday.

 

Here's to tonight! Back up Vargas! He likes to give up runs!

[Lil Dummy]

"But having Graffanino hit for him and then having him sit Sunday seemed to have negated what confidence he might have gained in those two games."

 

Yeah, pinch hitting Graffanino didn't work out at all. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

[TheCouga23]

Test.

 

I'm testing out my new signature.

 

Go Brewers!

[TheCouga23]

Hmmm, I think I like it with the underbars above it better... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[lbb020]

"Yeah, pinch hitting Graffanino didn't work out at all. "

 

It did work out for one game...possibly not the long run though. I also was dissapointed to see weeks get pinch hit for....If his wrist feels fine as he says it does along with everyone else in the brewers organization then his head must be whats messed up. Pinch hitting for weeks in that situation only destroys his confidence even more. I am all for giving him a chance to work out of this. What would we rather have in october: weeks playing like he did last year..hitting .290+ and flying around the bases or a counsell/graffy platoon hitting a combined .250.

[augie46]

If Weeks' wrist is healthy, then he is just bad and should be sent to the minors. I don't think that he is healthy. I know that he is committing way too soon on his swing. He looks like Rob Deer, except that the way he is hitting he makes Deer look like a contact hitter. When Rickie says his wrist is fine I think what he really means is that he can tolerate the pain. I think that the Brewers made a mistake by not sending him out on a rehad stint. They are paying for it now. With the decline in production of Estrada and Hardy, that makes it even harder to keep a guy like Weeks in the line-up.

[RightFieldCoder]

We really should come to a consensus: when the magic number changes, does it go at the end of the IGT for the last win, or at the start of the new IGT?

 

I can't get enough of the Magic Number to win the NL Central. Just saying that feels good rolling off the tongue. I'd love to see it about 20 times a game. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

 

I never like a game in which our entire team has only seen him for one PA. The Brewers always look a little lost in these situations. Here's to talking pitches and getting into the bullpen early. We know Arizona will be able to do that.

[trwi7]

Quote:

---

If his wrist feels fine as he says it does along with everyone else in the brewers organization then his head must be whats messed up.

---

 

Well I'd actually prefer to win the game when I have the chance and what were the chances Weeks was going to do something other than strikeout?

 

Let's be honest, he's 3 for his last 44 and has struck out in 43.2% of those AB's. I'd much rather have Graffanino or basically anybody else on our roster up in that situation.

[cruiserx43]

I honestly don't give a rip about Rickie's confidence. Ned needs to stay focused on the prize and most likely his job. He did the right thing by putting in the player that he thought would get the job done and it actually paid off. Had he left him in there just as many posters would be ripping him for not pinch hitting. It really is a battle that Ned cannot win.

[Oldcity]

Well the "prize" should be getting Rickie Weeks back on track. If they can, Weeks is by far the best option at second. You aren't going to do that by sitting him all the time.

[rluzinski]

If Weeks is healthy, I think Melvin should do the same thing that he did when BF.net was calling for the heads of Graffy, Mench and Bush... nothing.

[wOOgiE22]

Lineup:

Arizona

J. DaVanon, RF

O. Hudson, 2B

E. Byrnes, LF

T. Clark, 1B

C. Tracy, 3B

C. Young, CF

S. Drew, SS

M. Montero, C

Y. Petit, P

 

Milwaukee

C. Hart, RF

J. Hardy, SS

R. Braun, 3B

P. Fielder, 1B

J. Estrada, C

T. Graffanino, 2B

G. Jenkins, LF

T. Gwynn, CF

C. Vargas, P

[Gobias Industries]

I just heard on a AM radio station (I think it was an Action 2 News Update) playing here at work that Weeks is going to receive sporadic playing time for the forseeable future.

 

Ughh. I think a trip to Nashville would be more beneficial.

[rluzinski]

And Gwynn yet again. With Jenkins in a nasty funk, 5-9 is just not good at all right now.

[TauPentaRei]

my morale is very low. i need some dingers.

 

i want Braun to wrap up July Rookie of the Month tonite with 4 tater bombs and 12 RBIs.

[RU Rah Rah]

Rickie presents a conundrum -- he needs to play in order to get out of his funk, but the team still has to put a competent line-up out on the field and endeavor to win games.

 

No good solution here. It's not like Graffy is a huge upgrade (although he did come through on Sunday), but I can understand the temptation to play him.

[jloos19]

Estrada's throws seem to get more and more pathetic as the season progresses.

[rluzinski]

(although he did come through on Sunday)

 

I don't think a bloop single over a drawn in infield suggests anything about the future. I'm just going to pretend that Weeks' nagging health issues won't allow him to play everyday. It will make me feel better about this decision.

[jlau20]

I gotta head out to my softball game and it's 2-0, bummer. I much prefer leaving with the Brewers up.

 

Though it seems the games I can't watch or listen to turn out to be wacky scores anyways or games anyways.

 

Like when Gabe Gross hit 2 homers in one game. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/embarassed.gif

 

Go Brewers.

[JET15]

Johnny and Vargas are really showing the DBacks what they're missing

[Jopal78]

Brewers have their work cut out for them, the Cubs are currently playing a Giants team that does not feature a batter with an OPS above .746! Yipes.