2017-09-11: Pirates (Brault) at Brewers (Woodruff) 6:40 PM CDT [Brewers lose, 7-0]

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I get the frustration. In a lot of ways, this team makes no sense. Look at first half versus second half offensive splits. Record against winning teams vs. losing teams. The last week. Etc. In other ways, though, that's kind of what you expect from a team with almost zero known quantities entering the season. I am as annoyed at being unable to put together a sustained winning streak and really make a go of the playoffs as anyone, but the reality is this team is 2.5 out with 18 to go? With four left against the division leaders and 3 against the other team they're chasing? That's the definition of right in it, 6-0 be damned.

 

All this team really needs to do is cut a game over the next week, going into the Cubs series. They do that, the chips will fall where they may. They don't, then we start celebrating what a massive success this season was. I'm not going to be annoyed about this loss if they take the series. Just getting beat right now.

[topper09er]

Basically, this team tries to hit a HR on every single AB. That leads to streakiness. Tough to keep up, MLB pitching is too good and you rarely get 8 straight games facing a pitcher who doesn't have their good stuff. The strikeouts totals are staggering, I wonder what the MLB tipping point will be after which teams finally start to care about them a little bit.

[adambr2]

There's no doubt that this season, no matter what happens now, has been successful. I think it's more likely than not that they'll fall short of the playoffs, but I never would have expected them to be playing meaningful baseball in September this year.

 

That said, the emotional yo-yo this last month of rising to the challenge when you least expect it against elite teams, and then completely disappointing against the bad ones, has been pretty tough.

[shanedog19]

Move on from this game as quickly as possible and go get these next two against the Pirates.

[yfinn6]

At least Barnes is pitching in a non-competitive game.

[3and2Fastball]

Basically, this team tries to hit a HR on every single AB. That leads to streakiness. Tough to keep up, MLB pitching is too good and you rarely get 8 straight games facing a pitcher who doesn't have their good stuff. The strikeouts totals are staggering, I wonder what the MLB tipping point will be after which teams finally start to care about them a little bit.

 

I agree. It is a faulty approach. This might be an area where analytics fails. What works in terms of big picture (go for the HR) probably won't consistently work in big games or in the postseason without an incredible pitching staff

 

I'll be somewhat fascinated to see the postseason results over the next few years because I suspect that teams that mix in high contact athletic players will win vs the 3TO teams.... We'll see

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I'm moving more into the "keep Hader as a reliever" camp. You got Knebel, offer a one-year for Swarzak, and start with those three guys next year. I think there's a place for Hughes and Barnes too, but my big request is a deeper bullpen. A contact hitter or two for the sake of balance would be next.

[brewmann04]

they again are really forced to win the next two to keep pace but it is so frustrating watching this team give away games at this point in a season. They really need to learn to build off winning big games to get to the next level.This game is worse since its in front of the Home crowd.

[3and2Fastball]

Just one of those games really. Woodruff made a couple of mistakes with pitches and paid for it. Marte and McCutchen will do that.... Our offense is inconsistent

 

They can bounce back from this

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I think it's kind of funny that Sogard GIDP during all the talk of contact hitting. That's the downside, I guess. The general point stands, of course. I do think the best lineups have more hitters capable of making consistent contact. I remember a Fangraphs review of the Crew's offense in 2016 that basically said, if the concept of strikeouts and walks didn't exist, the Brewers would be an elite offense because of contact quality. Of course, they do exist, so out of luck there.

[pacopete4]

Just checked into the game score. Man, it's like clockwork with these guys. It's not the loss as much as how the game was played.

[topper09er]

This is good, I assume Guerra pitching now means he will not start on Weds.

[superfly]

This is terrible. Seems there's motivation/focus issues to me, these guys have no trouble spanking the Dodgers and Cubs of the world and then get smoked by turds like the Reds the next day.

[topper09er]

I don't see any way Guerra doesn't give up a HR to Bell here.

[moofis]

Disappointing game for sure, but it's not the end of the world. I'd honestly rather have them lose like this than burn our best relievers and lose a heart-breaker. Put this game behind us, move on, go back at 'em tomorrow.

[brewmann04]

the issue now it not the end of the world but the games are dwindling to a precious few and that that issue with them losing to teams they need to beat. another frustrating loss after a gigantic series sweep. they really need to get on a roll with the remaining few weeks

[rcc]

Well, there ya go. They can beat division leaders but play like crap against sub .500 teams. Frustrating!

[brewmann04]

yes same old story just giving the games we took back. frustrating

[Crash2303]

well, Guerra looked pretty good outta the pen. there's that?

[Baldkin]

Got one great Uecker line tonight, "Heading to the ninth, 7 -0 Pirates, they haven't trailed tonight." (Long, long pause)

[JosephC]

I'm moving more into the "keep Hader as a reliever" camp. You got Knebel, offer a one-year for Swarzak, and start with those three guys next year. I think there's a place for Hughes and Barnes too, but my big request is a deeper bullpen. A contact hitter or two for the sake of balance would be next.

 

Don't forget Jeffress. ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.20 since rejoining the Brewers.

[pacopete4]

I'm moving more into the "keep Hader as a reliever" camp. You got Knebel, offer a one-year for Swarzak, and start with those three guys next year. I think there's a place for Hughes and Barnes too, but my big request is a deeper bullpen. A contact hitter or two for the sake of balance would be next.

 

Don't forget Jeffress. ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.20 since rejoining the Brewers.

 

I want to see what Hader can do in a starting role. If it doesn't work, it can always be that he moves back to the pen. He is too valuable of an arm to put in the pen for the Brewers. It is not every day that they have an arm like his in their system. He could be the ace this team has been searching for for a long, long time. If he's not given the opportunity, we will never know. That would be truly sad IMO.

 

Also, a back end of Knebel, Swarzak, Jeffress and a free agent addition would look just fine to me. If you add in the possibility of Taylor Williams and maybe resigning Hughes, you have plenty of arms to go around. That is even leaving out guys like Wilkerson, Guerra, Jungmann who could very well be pen arms as well.

[jerichoholicninja]

Are the Pirates a bad enough team that they sweep us or a good enough team that we sweep them? Those are the only two outcomes for this series.

 

I guess we're getting swept and I can't say that I'm surprised.