2012-04-27 Brewers (Gallardo) at Cardinals (Westbrook), 7:15 PM CDT [Brewers lose, 13-1]

[MNBrew]

It's funny how the Cards really haven't been "in our heads" until last September, but then October got worse and April's been beyond ghastly!

 

At this point, Yo obviously needs to NOT pitch against these Cardinals for a while. His overall stats against them aren't great, but he's sure still had enough good games against them thus far in his career. Right now, however, it's like he's forgotten about that entirely.

 

The Brewers' mental fragility against the Cardinals has quickly become like the Twins' total "turtle" jobs against the Yankees -- where the opposition has gotten so "into their heads" that they actually keep making the problem far worse than it actually ought to be. The Cards are good, but they're really not nearly as good as the Brewers are making them look.

[trwi7]

Kudos to anyone who kept the game on past the third inning.

[Ennder]

Not to mention an extremely tight zone that definitely seemed a little looser (imo) when Westbrook was on the mound.

 

The same strike zone we have gotten since last year in the playoffs, which was right around the time Braun's test happened. Not so sure that is a coincidence to be honest, though that is probably because my opinion of professional officiating pretty much couldn't be lower in general.

[JohnBriggs12]

I'd like to see Yo backing guys off the plate more. He's hit one batter since the beginning of 2011. Cardinal hitters have seen him enough to know they can just dig in and if they can lay off his in the dirt curveball, they can get him. Obviously as a team they've studied him more than some other opponents and they've picked up on something. If Yo can't find a way to make them uncomfortable or find more late movement, they will continue to own him.

[GormanHarvey]

I'd like to see Yo backing guys off the plate more. He's hit one batter since the beginning of 2011. Cardinal hitters have seen him enough to know they can just dig in and if they can lay off his in the dirt curveball, they can get him. Obviously as a team they've studied him more than some other opponents and they've picked up on something. If Yo can't find a way to make them uncomfortable or find more late movement, they will continue to own him.

 

My thoughts exactly while watching last night. Those guys could not look more comfortable at the plate. Especially Jay and Holiday, who were diving across the plate after fastballs Andre Dawson-style. Back them up!

[Invader3K]

Yeah, the Brewers pitchers could all stand to pitch guys inside a bit more. Gallardo especially. He doesn't seem to make batters nervous, despite his obvious talent.

[MNBrew]

It's trite but true: If the pitcher doesn't own the whole plate (or at least pitch with that intention), the batters will own the pitcher.