9/16/08 Brewers (Sabathia) at Cubs (Dempster): 7:05 PM CDT

[wibadgers23]

CC Sabathia (15-8, 2.81 ERA, 55 BB/225 SO)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i289/brewers0048/a651c998-2fe7-4c24-bdc4-9da93911d2a.jpg

Previous Starts:

DATE	OPP	RESULT	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GB	FB	TBF	#Pit	Dec.	Rel.	ERA
9/10	CIN	W 4-3	7.0	8	3	3	1	1	8	9	6	31	113	--	--	1.59
9/5	SD	W 3-2	7.0	5	1	1	0	2	9	8	4	27	106	--	--	1.42
8/31	@PIT	W 7-0	9.0	1	0	0	0	3	11	7	5	29	117	W(9-0)	--	1.43
8/24	PIT	W 4-3	6.0	8	1	1	0	0	5	7	7	25	96	--	--	1.59
8/18	HOU	W 9-3	9.0	11	3	2	2	2	9	17	9	40	130	W(8-0)	--	1.60
8/13	@SD	W 7-1	7.0	9	1	1	0	1	8	12	4	31	114	W(7-0)	--	1.55
8/8	WAS	W 5-0	9.0	5	0	0	0	1	9	13	3	32	103	W(6-0)	--	1.58
8/2	@ATL	W 4-2	8.1	6	2	2	0	1	9	11	7	32	109	W(5-0)	--	1.88
7/28	CHC	L 4-6	6.2	9	4	3	1	2	3	10	8	30	124	--	--	1.82
7/23	@STL	W 3-0	9.0	3	0	0	0	2	7	12	7	31	106	W(4-0)	--	1.36

Versus

 

Ryan Dempster (15-6, 3.02 ERA, 74 BB/173 SO)

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2008/baseball/mlb/02/18/bp.nlcentral/t1_dempster.jpg

Previous Starts:

DATE	OPP	RESULT	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GB	FB	TBF	#Pit	Dec.	Rel.	ERA
9/9	@STL	L 3-4	7.0	7	3	3	1	2	6	7	8	29	103	--	--	3.02
9/3	HOU	L 0-4	7.0	8	3	3	1	3	7	11	4	30	110	L(15-6)	--	2.99
8/28	PHI	W 6-4	6.0	8	4	4	0	4	7	7	8	30	114	--	--	2.95
8/23	WAS	W 9-2	7.1	8	1	1	0	1	4	14	6	31	111	W(15-5)	--	2.85
8/17	@FLA	W 9-2	6.0	5	2	2	0	2	10	3	4	25	96	W(14-5)	--	2.92
8/10	STL	W 6-2	6.2	6	2	2	0	3	6	12	6	29	114	W(13-5)	--	2.92
8/4	HOU	L 0-2	5.0	5	2	2	0	1	7	6	2	21	75	L(12-5)	--	2.93
7/30	@MIL	W 7-2	7.0	5	1	1	0	1	9	7	6	26	111	W(12-4)	--	2.90
7/25	FLA	L 2-3	6.0	2	1	1	0	6	6	7	4	26	110	--	--	2.99
7/20	@HOU	W 9-0	8.0	6	0	0	0	1	7	10	7	30	104	W(11-4)	--	3.05

N.L. Central Standings:

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road	East	Cent.	West	L10	Strk
Chi. Cubs	90	58	.608	-	51-24	39-34	18-10	43-29	23-10	5-5	W 4
Milwaukee (6)	83	67	.553	8	44-31	39-36	16-19	40-27	20-13	3-7	L 4
Houston (4)	80	69	.537	10½	43-31	37-38	15-11	39-33	19-14	7-3	L 2
St. Louis (2)	78	71	.523	12½	40-34	38-37	22-14	31-37	18-12	3-7	L 5
Cincinnati (E)	68	81	.456	22½	38-36	30-45	18-17	26-40	15-18	7-3	W 2
Pittsburgh (E)	63	87	.420	28	37-38	26-49	15-17	31-44	11-17	3-7	L 1

Wild Card Race:

Team	W	L	PCT	GB
Milwaukee	83	67	.553	-
Philadelphia	83	67	.553	-
Houston (11)	80	69	.537	2½
St. Louis (9)	78	71	.523	4½
Florida (8)	77	72	.517	5½
Arizona (4)	73	76	.490	9½

The post-Ned Yost era begins...let's go Dale.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bOp7sga8a7tG/340x.jpg

[BrewCrewForever]

I like our chances. No better way to start the post-Yost era then with CC Sabathia on the mound.

 

In the words of our old friend Daron Sutton: "LETS SCORE SOME RUNS!"

[ELCABALLO45]

I hope the Brewers offense shows up.. I would like to see this line up

 

Durham

Hardy

Braun

Fielder

Hart

Cameron

Gamel

Kendall

 

Being realistic however, put in Counsell at 3rd.

[crewcrazy]

Hey, remember when the Brewers took 2 of 3 in each of the first two series in Wrigley? That was fun. Let's do it again.

 

I'm still having a hard time believing this guy:

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/pressbox/photos/headshots_players_coaches/123011_90x135.jpg

is actually the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers now, but hopefully he doesn't manage as dumb as he looks.

[sgtcluels]

I'd throw caution to the wind.

 

Durham

Hardy (3B)

Hart

Braun

Fielder

Cameron

Escobar

Kendall

CC

[BrewCrewForever]

Man I would totally approve sgtcluels or ELCABALLO's lineups. Those are fantastic, probably won't happen but fantastic.

[trwi7]

Milwaukee Brewers,

 

Please win for my sanity.

 

Thanks.

[hkdakd]

*points up*

 

Please win for everyone's sanity.

 

The downward spiral has been heartbreaking and maddening at the same time.

 

Please CC get a win tonight!

[MillerParkSouth]

Dear Dale,

 

I was planning on going to the next 2 games as a personal funeral for the 2008 season. I've got renewed hope (and really great seats) tonight so i'd really appreciate it if we can kick off the rest of the season with a W. Please don't be afraid to pinch hit for Kendall, Counsell, et all if the game is on the line.

 

Sincerely,

 

MPS.

[fondybrewfan]

For the love of God, just win you pathetic losers. the Crew is the suckiest bunch of sucks that have ever sucked.

 

What are the odds we get atleast 4 runs off of Dempster? I'll put the odds at 4:1.

 

I will be very curious to see what kind of lineup Svuem throws out there. Durham better be in their but I don't know what to do after that.

 

Perhaps:

 

Durham

Hardy

Hart

Fielder

Braun

Cameron

Hall/Counsell

Kendall

CC

 

I certainly think Hart could benefit from some protection. I don't think Prince or Braun need protection. If they aren't hitting they aren't hitting doesn't matter who is behind them. Both have seen plenty of hittable pitches of late.

 

CC should be on a strict 150 pitch pitch count tonight. I swear if we have a lead I would simply not take him out of the game before the 9th inning. If he is getting pounded that is one thing, but we need to win games and going to our bullpen with a small lead is not going to win games.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

Dale

 

I'm more nervous than Yost after his 13th cup of coffee.

 

We need another miracle...just like Easter Sunday 1987. Please sprinkle some pixie dust on those bats and score some runs!!!

 

Love,

One (of many) nervous Brewers fan

[craigharmann]

I have excitement for this game. After the weekend's debacle, I was about to give up on watching Brewer games for the rest of the year and resume if they made the playoffs. Now, I'm on board. I'm watching as soon as I get home tonight. This is about as much of a must win as you can get. You have your ace going against the vaunted foe who has desecrated your house for the past 2 games, and payback is DUE. The bats BEST be showing up tonight (I'm especially looking at you, Mr. first baseman) and lets make this a blowout victory.

[owbc]

Tonight is 1/12th of the Sveum era in Milwaukee.

 

Predicted lineup:

 

Weeks

Hardy

Braun

Fielder

Hart

Cameron

Counsell

Kendall

Sabathia

 

In that lineup, Sabathia should be batting cleanup.

 

I'm thinking the Brewers will score a few tonight, but the pressure to perform is even greater now than before, so I see them losing 8-5 with 13 strikeouts.

[sheethead]

We need someone to start something special, and the Brewers couldn't have a better guy on the mound. Start it up CC! Its a brand new season, and one that is absent of the germ!

[HOF4canrake]

I have no idea what Sveum will do, but this is the lineup I'd like to see...

 

Durham 2B

Braun LF

Fielder 1B

Cameron CF

Hardy SS

Hart RF

Lamb 3B

Kendall C

Sabathia P

[Oldcity]

Everyone wants to bench Weeks, even though he's literally the only starter hitting in September.

[sargennm]

I literally cannot stomach following these games anymore. The firing of Yost has not had the same effect it's had on some. I will check the score and hope for a win. If CC can get it going in the right direction, maybe that will have be feeling better about their chances. It can't get much worse right now.

[HOF4canrake]

As a baseball coach, I see many more positive attributes that help the team in Ray Durham as opposed to Rickie Weeks. I love

Weeks' range and flashes of brilliance offensively, but Durham's steadiness with the glove, experience, ability to hit good pitching, higher contact, etc. gives the Brewers more of what they need at this time.

 

In general in baseball, it is not the great plays you make that wins games, but the routine plays you do not make. Most games, at every level in baseball, are lost as opposed to won (exception being a dominant starting pitcher).

[2008 world champs]

I am so excited. I have to work until i think 8..but hopefully no later. I am considering finally saying no i can't to working later. (I have caught maybe 1 game in the past week due to working 2-3 hours a night past my scheduled shift!) I miss watching the team..yes, even given the circumstances.....Brewers gave me a birthday present yesterday with the Yost firing... the fire has been lit. Let's out play the Mets/Phillies.

 

What I would do......

 

2b Durham/Weeks... I don't care Weeks is hot ...and Durham is doing well. Pick a name from a hat..o wait, that will get me fired you mean?

rf Hart.. allow him to steal some freakin bases already.

ss Hardy

lf Braun

1b Fielder

CF Mike Cammeron

3b Mat Gamel!! PLEASE

P CC

C Jason Kendall

[jjgott]

http://www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/JustWinBaby.jpg

[sargennm]

As a baseball coach, I see many more positive attributes that help the team in Ray Durham as opposed to Rickie Weeks. I love

Weeks' range and flashes of brilliance offensively, but Durham's steadiness with the glove, experience, ability to hit good pitching, higher contact, etc. gives the Brewers more of what they need at this time.

 

In general in baseball, it is not the great plays you make that wins games, but the routine plays you do not make. Most games, at every level in baseball, are lost as opposed to won (exception being a dominant starting pitcher).

Again, it needs to be pointed out that both Durham and his former coach in San Fran have said for him to do all those things, he can't play on a regular basis. This isn't 28-year-old Ray Durham. Twice a week, Ray's a good option. Any more than that ...

[rupskinnn]

Why not have Dale pick the lineup out of a hat? It worked for the Yankees back in the day, what is the worst that can happen? (still not sure if I want this font in blue or not)

[HOF4canrake]

I do agree Durham's not an everyday player anymore, but I don't see any reason he can't start 2 of 3 games in each series, especially with the off-day Monday.

 

He clearly should start today with his numbers vs. Dempster, then I think it's a toss-up with which game Weeks plays versus Marquis or Harden.

 

Matchups will matter in the series after this one, but I think the edge, in general, needs to go to Durham. I think he can be extremely effective playing 8 games in 13 days... 5 days off (4 games plus Monday's team off day).

[logan82]

Except that Weeks is a better player than Durham. Has been since the All star break.

[HOF4canrake]

How has he been a better player since the All-Star break? Or overall? He has great potential and flashes, but that doesn't necessarily mean a better player.