08/23/06 - Rockies (Kim) @ Brewers (Sheets) - 7:05pm CDT

[sgtcluels]

Colorado Rockies (59 - 66)

Byung-Hyun Kim RHP (7-8, 4.94 ERA, 1.54 WHIP)

http://www.espn.go.com/media/pg2/2006/0306/photo/a_kim_195.jpg

Kim has struggled mightily on the road this season, going 2-5 with a 7.35 ERA. He lost his off-speed stuff on Saturday and gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 6-3 loss to the Mets at Shea Stadium. Kim is hoping to make amends at Miller Park, where he is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in four appearances.

 

@

 

Milwaukee Brewers (60 - 65)

Ben Sheets RHP (3-6, 5.54 ERA 1.27 WHIP)

http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/images/2005/09/06/BwAMrmT8.jpg

Sheets has pitched seven innings in each of his last two starts, but has surrendered 12 runs -- all earned -- on 16 hits while going 1-1. He was downright befuddled after his most recent outing, when his fastball sat in the 88-92 mph range and Sheets was forced to throw more changeups than usual. He insists that his shoulder -- which has given him trouble all season -- was perfectly fine. He's 3-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies with a respectable 39:8 strikeouts to walks ratio.

 

TV: FSN (642 DTV, 31 TWC Milwaukee)

Radio: 620 WTMJ.

 

Chat with Yost!

1pm CST, MLB Live Event Chat.

 

Series Probable Pitchers

Thursday Brewers (RHP Tomo Ohka, 3-3, 4.01 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) vs. Astros (RHP Josh Fogg, 9-7, 4.62 ERA, 1.48 WHIP), 1:05 p.m. CT

 

Next Series

Brewers travel to Miami metro area to face NL East's Florida Marlins (59 - 66, 30 - 30 at home) for a 4 game series starting Friday the 25th.

[rluzinski]

Compared to last year, Sheets currently has a:

 

? lower walk rate

? higher strikeout rate

? lower home run rate

? lower line drive percentage

 

Here's his problem this year, in a nutshell:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/710_P_season_full_7_20060822.png

 

and:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/710_P_season_full_8_20060822.png

 

While his reduced velocity in the last outing shouldn't be ignored, I think most of his struggles this year is a result of bad luck with balls-in-play. He has maybe 7 more starts to try and prove that theory.

[tomwopat]

I'm going tonight, my second Sheets game in a row. Hope his stuff is better.

[pitchleague]

thanks russ for explaning what BABIP was, since I totally brainfarted on what that was. Yeah, I'd agree with your stats that it is a major part of his problem. Otherwise, I think he looks great.

[MillerBombers]

With the Reds losing today we really need this one tonight.

[crewcrazy]

How many hits does Kim give up tonight? 2? 3?

 

Seriously, though, I hope Sheets comes out with another quality outing after an iffy game against Houston. An outing like he had in Atlanta after the 1-inning fiasco against the Cards would definitely be nice (minus the two earned runs coming home after leaving the game in the 8th).

 

I missed last night's game while hanging out with friends, so I still haven't gotten to see Laynce Nix play on TV yet. Hopefully he's in the lineup again tonight.

[thefutureishere2006]

this is a must win. enough said.

[thablingster]

Quote:

---

this is a must win. enough said.

---

 

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eek.gif

 

Don't let them hear you say that!! lol

 

Those Sheets stats are pretty interesting. Hopefully tonight he'll have his velocity back up and we'll be able to scratch out enough runs for a W.

[thefutureishere2006]

i feel good about benny tonite.. i would like gross in center as well.

[thefutureishere2006]

aye i mean nix.... whoops!

[Ayt]

We may even have a Jenks sighting with Kim on the Hill. I'd go with Gross, Nix, and Jenks in the outfield.

[giffted1]

I think we're gonna knock Kim around tonight. Rockies pitchers don't know what to do with regulation baseballs.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[sweepscc]

all lefty outfield sounds good to me.

[Rob]

I can't believe how high that batting average is. Logic dictates that it has to come down--hopefully soon.

[milwaukeesportsfan]

Jenkins gets the start. Booo.

[Ayt]

Kim is amazingly bad versus lefties. They are hitting .315 with a .410 OBP and a SLG of .502 against him this year.

[JoeH33]

No David Bell tonight. That alone makes me excited for this game.

[giffted1]

Quote:

---

Jenkins gets the start. Booo.

---

 

What do you mean? Isn't he a great player.

[bullox]

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5563/ronaldmchummertr4.jpg

[JoeH33]

Nine pitches and two walks. I like how this is going.

[fondybrewfan]

Good way to start!!

[JoeH33]

Alright Prince, way to make him pay for those walks.

[fondybrewfan]

I thought Turnbow couldnt throw strikes, Yikes!!! I hope this one gets ugly real fast

[JoeH33]

I expected so much more from Billy when I saw "In play, run-scoring play" pop up. I guess I can live with the sac fly though.

[augie46]

Nix is picking up the slack for Bell.