2011-08-07 Brewers (Greinke) at Astros (Norris) - [Brewers win, 7-3]

[1992casey]

August 7 - 1:05 P.M.

http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/brewers.jpghttp://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/logos/astros.jpg

64-50

37-76

Pitching Matchup

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Zack Greinke

9-4 | 4.41

Greinke picked up his second straight win and after surrendering a first-inning home run he went scoreless for the next five. He's not sure why he's struggled on the road this season yet is a perfect 7-0 at Miller Park.

Astros vs. Greinke
Greinke Game Log

Bud Norris

5-7 | 3.47

A blister on Norris' throwing hand forced the starter to leave Monday's start against the Reds after facing one batter in the sixth inning. His previous start against St. Louis was cut short for the same reason.

Brewers vs. Norris
Norris Game Log

Starting Lineups

1. CF Nyjer Morgan
   
2. 2B Felipe Lopez
   
3. LF Ryan Braun
   
4. 1B Prince Fielder
   
5. RF Mark Kotsay
   
6. SS Yuniesky Betancourt
   
7. 3B Craig Counsell
   
8. C Jonathan Lucroy
   
9. RHP Zack Greinke
   

1. RF J.B. Shuck
   
2. 2B Jose Altuve
   
3. CF Jason Bourgeois
   
4. 1B Carlos Lee
   
5. LF J.D. Martinez
   
6. 3B Jimmy Paredes
   
7. SS Clint Barmes
   
8. C Carlos Corporan
   
9. RHP Bud Norris
   

Media Coverage

http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/brewfan/2011/media/media-fsn.jpg

Brewerfan Game Chat

MLB GameDay 2011 | ESPN GameCast | 620 WTMJ Affiliates

Fan Sites

Astros Fan Forum | Astros Baseball Talk

[DuWayne Steurer]

The way I see it, the Astros best (realistic) chance to get one in this series was yesterday off of Narveson.

 

Take care of business today, and head into St. Louie with at least a 3 game lead.

[gregmag]

Well, according to TH, the lineup today against Norris is Plush, Lopez, Braun, Fielder, Kotsay, Yuni, Counsell, Lucroy. That's about as beatable a lineup as the Brewers have fielded all year. Also, it's a good retest of the "protection" shibboleth: if it's legit, Fielder should walk on four pitches every time he's up, including with the bases loaded.

[bigredrobbo]

I'm going to preempt the expected "worst Brewers lineup - ever" posts, by saying that it doesn't matter today. It's Bud Norris! THE Bud Norris! Here's to not hitting like we did last time against him.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Good gracious that's an awful lineup.

 

I realize with Weeks and Hart out, there's not much to play around with, but why does RRR continue to try to squeeze Kotsay into run producing spots in the order? I don't care about 'protection', that's an overblown myth. I DO want someone hitting behind the .400 OBP cleanup guy who might have a chance to drive him in though.

[wisconsinfan47]

I'm going to preempt the expected "worst Brewers lineup - ever" posts, by saying that it doesn't matter today. It's Bud Norris! THE Bud Norris! Here's to not hitting like we did last time against him.

Bud's actually been Houston's best pitcher this year, not that that's saying much. He's still solid though, provided his blister problem doesn't reemerge.

 

Disappointed not to see Hairston in place of either Kotsay, Counsell, or even Lopez (Betancourt I begrudgingly understand).

[Funketown]

Can we add Jerry Hairston Jr. to the group of Brewers who probably ran over Ron Roenicke's dog?

 

Maybe the worst lineup of the season, but it is still the Astros, and it's still Greinke vs. Norris (although he has been surprisingly effective this season).

[razzzorsharp]

What's the verdict on Hart? Any new news?

[crossface21]

X-rays for Hart were negative. Give him a day off today, coupled with tomorrow's day off to give his hand time to heal. Pretty awful line-up. At least it's against the Lastro's and they can get everyone ready to go for St. Louis.

[hawing]

What's the verdict on Hart? Any new news?

Per Adam McCalvy:

 

Good news this morning from the Brewers — Corey Hart’s x-rays were

negative, and the right fielder is day to day. Hart was struck on the

left hand by a pitch last night.

D'oh, I didn't type as quickly as crossface21. Well, Sunday lineup vs. Sunday roster (albeit with Houston's perhaps best starter).

[theavrock]

Why the heck are Kotsay and Counsell coming off the bench before Hairston?

 

As much as we've been riding McGehee he has actually looked decent but Counsell is starting.

 

Ridiculous that RRR can get away with this crap.

[thablingster]

When RR says "we need Mark Kotsay," apparently he means it. Sunday lineup is Sunday, but against Norris we may as well try something different since he's been pretty good against us in his career. Here is hoping for the best.

[pebadger]

I'm guessing this has nothing do to with the lineup today, but I'm assuming the little limp Casey had after the game-ending play at 3rd last night was just one of those tamporary knocks that's no big deal?

 

I honestly don't have that much of a problem with the lineup today, given the fact that it's been announced loud and clear that these are the guys on the roster and they will all be counted on to do something at some point. From that persepctive, Kotsay needs some ABs and Casey needs a day off so Counsell gets some work. With both Hart and Weeks out it's not like there are really overwhelmingly great options anyway. Just win the thing and move on to STL. I have no problem putting some of the pressure on ZG here. Not like they're asking him to shut down the Red Sox or Yankees.

[Oldcity]

Both Kotsay and Counsell ahead of Hairston. Absurd.

[The Truth]

Sure wish we had traded for a player like Jerry Hairston Jr at the deadline so at least one of Felipe Lopez, Mark Kotsay or Craig Counsell wouldn't be starting on a day like today!

[whizkid]

I agree Hairston hasn't been used enough, particularly for Lopez. I assume this is the lefty/righty thing but Norris' career splits vs. lefties isn't a lot.

[FVBrewerFan]

I'll just add I'm sick of seeing Lucroy in the 8 hole with the likes of Counsell, Kotsay, and Lopez higher up in the line-up. Clearing the pitcher must be far more important than scoring runs.

[dlk9s]

Non-lineup note: I was listening to an interview with Michael Bourn Atlanta sports radio the other day and he said that Bud Norris has the best pickoff move in MLB, at least that he's seen.

[fondybrewfan]

If Lopez continues to be mediocre I think Hairston will start getting some starts at 2nd; but by then Weeks might be back anyways. I don't think RR has any intention of using Hairston at SS or 3B unless it is an emeregency or a double switch situation late in the game.

 

The lineup is pretty weak, but I still like Grienke vs this Astros lineup. You really only have worry about 3 guys and they really aren't all that good (Lee, Martinez, and Frenchie).

 

Better to start guys like Counsell and Kotsay against Houston than against a good team like the Cards. Kotsay has started 2 times in the last 2 weeks; I guess I don't have that big of a deal if he gets a start a week. It probably makes sense to give Counsell the start against a somewhat tough righty in Norris. McGehee hasn't had a good series anyways. If you have to go with this starting 9 I at least would have moved up Lucroy a couple spots (him and Yuni at 5/6 would be fine with me)

[Pudster13]

Bud Norris is a right handed pitcher. Jerry Haristson is a right handed batter.

 

Also, Jerry Hariston Jr. is a terrible hitter.

[igor67]

Can I just say that I really can't for the life of me still believe that Corporan made it to the majors. I'm happy for the guy, but I don't think he ever posted an acceptable OPS at any level of baseball.

[The Truth]

Bud Norris is a right handed pitcher. Jerry Haristson is a right handed batter.

 

Also, Jerry Hariston Jr. is a terrible hitter.

Not sure who Jerry Hariston is, but Jerry Hairston, the guy we traded for, is a better hitter than Lopez, Kotsay & Counsell

[Funketown]

Bud Norris is a right handed pitcher. Jerry Haristson is a right handed batter.

 

Also, Jerry Hariston Jr. is a terrible hitter.

Based on what? He's below average, but to call him terrible is pretty unfair.

[logan82]

Bud Norris is a right handed pitcher. Jerry Haristson is a right handed batter.

 

Also, Jerry Hariston Jr. is a terrible hitter.

Not sure who Jerry Hariston is, but Jerry Hairston, the guy we traded for, is a better hitter than Lopez, Kotsay & Counsell

Don't forget Betancourt.

[The Truth]

Hairston has a .335 OBP this season and a .714 OPS. Kotsay has a .297 OBP and a .614 OPS, which is unbelievably bad for a corner outfielder. Counsell's OBP this year is .244 (!). Lopez has a .555 OPS and a .254 OBP

 

This is an unbelievably horrible lineup Roenicke has put together today. Our pitcher, Zack Greinke has a better OPS than our RF, 2B & 3B and a better OBP than our RF, 2B, 3B & SS!!!!