2018-09-19: Reds (Harvey) at Brewers (Gonzalez) 6:40 PM CDT [Brewers win, 7-0]

[Eye Black]

[pre]Reds Lineup Brewers Lineup

1. RF Scott Schebler L 1. LF Curtis Granderson L

2. SS José Peraza R 2. CF Christian Yelich L

3. 1B Joey Votto L 3. 1B Jesús Aguilar R

4. 3B Eugenio Suárez R 4. 2B Travis Shaw L

5. 2B Scooter Gennett L 5. RF Domingo Santana R

6. LF Phillip Ervin R 6. 3B Mike Moustakas L

7. C Tucker Barnhart S 7. C Manny Piña R

8. P Matt Harvey R 8. SS Orlando Arcia R

9. CF Billy Hamilton S 9. P Gio Gonzalez L[/pre]

 

Link: Brewers Game Notes

[Dadbauer]

A win tonight would feel good after a big letdown offensively last night. Losing two series in a row to the bottom half of the division wouldn't feel good especially if the Cardinals are getting hot. It would be nice to be able to have the luxury of setting our bullpen for the wild card game.

[82brewcrew82]

I start to think, it's the Reds. They can win the next one and everyone can lose the next one and all will be well. Then I come in here and am reminded of the pitching matchup and everything is shattered.

[wibadgers23]

We need to win tonight. Couple that with a Rockies loss and we’re 4.5 up with 9 games left. I would be feeling pretty comfortable at that point.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Braves up 2-0 on the Cards through 4. A Cardinals loss makes tonight a little less pressure-packed for me, so hope ATL can salvage one.

[jerichoholicninja]

Sorry to say it, but the division is out of reach now. Barring a total Brewers-esque collapse, we'll be in the Wild Card game with a very good chance to host it. I hope Craig manages the rest of the way to keep everyone fresh going into that game. I'd rather enter the "postseason" with everyone at 100% than burn out the bullpen or play Cain, Yelich, and the rest of the starters every day trying to catch the Cubs.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Sorry to say it, but the division is out of reach now. Barring a total Brewers-esque collapse, we'll be in the Wild Card game with a very good chance to host it. I hope Craig manages the rest of the way to keep everyone fresh going into that game. I'd rather enter the "postseason" with everyone at 100% than burn out the bullpen or play Cain, Yelich, and the rest of the starters every day trying to catch the Cubs.

 

I'd go through the weekend before saying the division is out of reach. If the Brewers could go into the final Detroit series within 3 games, there is very much a possibility that the Cardinals will need to beat the Cubs in their series to secure the #2 Wild Card. There is still a path, but it's getting narrower every day.

[dlk9s]

Probably more accurate to say that while there is still hope for the division, "realistically" it's out of reach.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Agree about the division. It's just going to be tough. Not impossible, but the Crew probably has to go something like 8-2 to catch the Cubs.

 

I imagine Cain gets the day off tonight. I would go with an OF of Grandy, Yelich, and Santana but can see Braun getting a start too.

 

My lineup guess:

 

Grandy

Yelich

Aguilar

Moose

Santana

Schoop

Kratz

Arcia

Gio

[TURBO]

As long as Broxton and Thames do not start... Or Perez... Geez.

[pacopete4]

Play Braun already. This is supposed to be the time he is still on the team for. It is put up or shut up time for him as well. His body should be well rested to give us a burst into the playoffs.

[rcc]

I just don't see winning the division. My hope is the wild card. A win tonight against Harvey please!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

We need to win tonight. Couple that with a Rockies loss and we’re 4.5 up with 9 games left. I would be feeling pretty comfortable at that point.

 

Braves beat the Cardinals 7-3. Win tonight, and watch the Dodgers sweep the Rockies, and there's some nice breathing room.

[markedman5]

Sorry to say it, but the division is out of reach now. Barring a total Brewers-esque collapse, we'll be in the Wild Card game with a very good chance to host it. I hope Craig manages the rest of the way to keep everyone fresh going into that game. I'd rather enter the "postseason" with everyone at 100% than burn out the bullpen or play Cain, Yelich, and the rest of the starters every day trying to catch the Cubs.

 

I hope cc manages to win games that are winnable until we clinch a wild card spot.

 

Hopefully we can get an early lead tonight......those have been rare of late..... so we can use Hader, Corey and JJ with an off day tomorrow.

[Boomer5]

They will get a WC slot. It would take an epic melt down to not get there.

[markedman5]

They will get a WC slot. It would take an epic melt down to not get there.

 

I agree but you still play to win until you clinch.

 

Those pitching matchups for the Cards series don't look favorable.

[wibadgers23]

Yeah hopefully we can create some breathing room between us and the Cards before Monday. That series worries me. Cardinals play the Giants at home this weekend so they'll probably take at least 2 of 3. Brewers just need to find a way to beat the darn Pirates. Oh, and winning tonight's game would help too.

[tmwiese55]

Yup, get this one and you're up 3 with 9 to go. Very tough to mess that up.

[KeithStone53151]

Lineup out. Biggest disappointment in my opinion is no Braun, considering Cain is also out. That surprises me. I feel like he needs to get more at bats to get going, unless of course he's nursing an injury.

[tmwiese55]

Lineup out. Biggest disappointment in my opinion is no Braun, considering Cain is also out. That surprises me. I feel like he needs to get more at bats to get going, unless of course he's nursing an injury.

 

Just like last season, after the year we'll probably hear about some injury that led to him slowing down the last couple weeks after being so good for 6ish weeks before. Rinse/repeat. If they can get the #1 WC while getting him and Jesus rebooted for the playoffs that would be great. At least this year they have the depth/luxury of him not playing through it (assuming an injury is the case), unlike last year where he forced it and did poorly.

[KeithStone53151]

Lineup out. Biggest disappointment in my opinion is no Braun, considering Cain is also out. That surprises me. I feel like he needs to get more at bats to get going, unless of course he's nursing an injury.

 

Just like last season, after the year we'll probably hear about some injury that led to him slowing down the last couple weeks after being so good for 6ish weeks before. Rinse/repeat. If they can get the #1 WC while getting him and Jesus rebooted for the playoffs that would be great. At least this year they have the depth/luxury of him not playing through it (assuming an injury is the case), unlike last year where he forced it and did poorly.

 

Fair point. The beat writers seem like they are going to try to get an answer on Braun. I agree it's very nice that we have the depth. If either are still struggling, we can roll Yelich, Grandy, Santana, even Perez/Broxton out there for 1 or 2 more games...and can put Thames in at 1b. I personally think Thames just doesn't care right now. His AB yesterday was just trash. I think he knows he isn't making the post season roster and is coasting to the offseason.

[Dadbauer]

McCalvy says a back flareup for Braun. Luckily Domingo has been hot so we will see if it carries over to a full start.

[fondybrewfan]

I am fine getting Santana a start in RF; he has earned it and it is becoming apparent he will be on the postseason roster. Get him as many AB's as realistically possible.

[KeithStone53151]

I am fine getting Santana a start in RF; he has earned it and it is becoming apparent he will be on the postseason roster. Get him as many AB's as realistically possible.

 

I wouldn't say apparent, but definitely moving in that direction. Anything can happen over the next week. For non-WC series, I view basically one position player spot up for grabs between him, Thames, Broxton.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

That is probably the best lineup they could have constructed, considering who is out tonight. Nice to see Shaw is back in there ... they can't afford to lose his bat. Hopefully Cain is back in the lineup against the Pirates on Friday.