2018-09-16: Pirates (Williams) at Brewers (Chacín) 1:10 PM CDT [Brewers lose, 3-2]

[WinkelsasVsSoriano]

Braun just isn't getting it done. Loyalty aside.

 

I'm for starting Granderson against most righties and giving Santana some ABs vs. lefties the way he's been playing. I feel like Santana has earned at least one start.

 

Also, not saying shut Braun out completely. But 2-3 times a week if probably sufficient right now unless Granderson/Santana play poorly and Braun knocks it around the field.

[WinkelsasVsSoriano]

What did Vazquez say there before he said, “...and then I shut’em down.”?

 

Edit: It was “You see why they call me nightmare? I give them hope, and then I shut’em down.”

 

Hah. Kind of dumb, in my opinion. "Yeah, I'll give you two home runs, then I'll shut you down!" The Pirates would probably be OK with him just not giving the Brewers any hope, but hey, I'm just a random guy who strings together words on a message board.

[mtrebs]

Time to solely watch the wild card. Division hopes are essentially over.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Time to solely watch the wild card. Division hopes are essentially over.

 

Cubs lost today too. They are scuffling on offense. Making up 2.5 games is still very much in play.

[adambr2]

Time to solely watch the wild card. Division hopes are essentially over.

 

Well, it's definitely a long shot but the Cubs did lose today, so no ground was lost there. So I'd say it's no more over than it was yesterday.

[mtrebs]

Time to solely watch the wild card. Division hopes are essentially over.

 

Well, it's definitely a long shot but the Cubs did lose today, so no ground was lost there. So I'd say it's no more over than it was yesterday.

 

It’s not over, but it’s a lot to overcome with the number of games left. It’s worse today than yesterday as there is one less game to catch up. Not enough games left to blow these chances.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Diamondbacks are scuffling, but are not dead yet They have something to play for against the Cubs this week. Reds don't against the Brewers. If the Brewers can take care of business, the rest can still work out.

[mtrebs]

Diamondbacks are scuffling, but are not dead yet They have something to play for against the Cubs this week. Reds don't against the Brewers. If the Brewers can take care of business, the rest can still work out.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Brewers lose two to the Reds.

[adambr2]

Diamondbacks are scuffling, but are not dead yet They have something to play for against the Cubs this week. Reds don't against the Brewers. If the Brewers can take care of business, the rest can still work out.

 

The Pirates had nothing to play for either and did just fine. Having something to play for is overrated when trying to predict results IMO. Sometimes there's something to be said for playing spoiler and able to go out and play relaxed.

 

That said hopefully the Diamondbacks can get the job done because the way the Cubs are playing there's no reason they can't take 2.

[lowblow]

It's a long way from over. But don't kid yourself, the Brewers lost ground today. The Cub's "magic number" and Brewer's magic number, both got smaller due to each other's losses, but each day off the schedule without an advantage for the Brewers makes winning the Central that much more unlikely. Of course, if the Brewer's win three in a row while the Cubs are losing three in a row, the math would the be against the Cubs for the same reason.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Diamondbacks are scuffling, but are not dead yet They have something to play for against the Cubs this week. Reds don't against the Brewers. If the Brewers can take care of business, the rest can still work out.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Brewers lose two to the Reds.

 

One 1-2 series, and you're ready to throw in the towel? This team was the hottest in baseball before this weekend.

[brewmann04]

I was worried from the start of these next two games series as since we have not fared well vs these two teams

[Outlander]

Diamondbacks are scuffling, but are not dead yet They have something to play for against the Cubs this week. Reds don't against the Brewers. If the Brewers can take care of business, the rest can still work out.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Brewers lose two to the Reds.

 

One 1-2 series, and you're ready to throw in the towel? This team was the hottest in baseball before this weekend.

In reality it isn't exactly a hot take. In baseball I am not surprised to see any team lose 2 of 3 to any other team.

[Devinep]

The Brewers last-inning-not-enough comeback was as predictable as Schoop chasing a ball for strike 3

[TURBO]

Hopefully the Reds don't decide to play spoiler. I can just see them scoring no runs against the Cubs this weekend, then go on a tear vs us...

 

This is a big series, like it or not, we have to take no less than 2 of 3.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Hopefully the Reds don't decide to play spoiler. I can just see them scoring no runs against the Cubs this weekend, then go on a tear vs us...

 

This is a big series, like it or not, we have to take no less than 2 of 3.

 

If they want to get to 95 wins, which I think is what it may take to get the division, they need to go 10-2 in their remaining 12 games. Going 6-6 gives them 91 wins, which will likely put them in one of the wild card spots, but also gives hope to the Cardinals if they get hot. Going 8-4 (winning every series 2-1) will give them 93 wins, which may take the division, if the Cubs finish out poorly.

 

They are at the point that if they want the division, they need to sweep the Reds, and play much better against the Pirates next weekend. If they can go 5-1 this week, they'll be in the thick of things.