2018-10-20 (NLCS Game #7): Dodgers (Buehler) at Brewers (Chacín) 7:09 PM CDT [Brewers lose, 5-1 -- 2018 Season Comes to a Close]

[clancyphile]

For all the frustration that we're feeling, this was a team that never had Jimmy Nelson all year, lost Chase Anderson for a month, lost Zach Davies for two-thirds of the season, had Wade Miley out for half the season, and lost Brent Suter for the last two-fifths of the season...

 

They had a gutted rotation, they had to patch one together, and they still took the Dodgers to seven games.

 

This is a team that had one hell of a good season.

[TJH123]

To whatever you can to trade for Paul Goldschmidt this offseason

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Love the pitching for next year. The offense is going to be brutal. Have to figure no Moose and no Schoop (such as that is).

 

I don't know if I buy that. If Arcia and Santana have figured something out, that will help. I think Schoop sticks around, but even if not, there ar some FA possibilities in the MI that we could put his 10 mil toward.

 

We will have depth. Get some contributions from Hiura or Ray or Nottingham, and that roster looks really competitive.

[Boomer5]

Love the pitching for next year. The offense is going to be brutal. Have to figure no Moose and no Schoop (such as that is).

 

Yep ... need to solve the 2B hole again. And it can't be another free swinger. The need a guy that cares about OBP. Maybe Hiura is that guy at some point, but that point is more than likely not in April.

 

I’d say stop gap type for half a season until Hiura. Even without Schoop we are still going to be at $100m or so.

[topper09er]

Verducci says "keeps the bat parallel" at literally the exact moment they show him dropping the bat head

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Well, one positive we have learned from this postseason is that Brandon Woodruff has stud starter or multi-inning relief ace written all over him. This guy's stuff is electric.

[adambr2]

I might need a break for a week or so before I worry about the offseason. Just wasn't ready to shift to that tonight.

[lcbj68c]

Throw one over Machado's head please.

[YelichPosse]

We will be fine, especially with the arms we have ! It’s exciting as much as this sucks balls!

[folly412]

How long until Hiura is ready? I don't think he's up next year, is he?

 

Unlikely. We'll have to keep second warm for a year. Dubon injury really hurt too, since he can't be expected next year either.

[WinkelsasVsSoriano]

So, the Brewers have a bunch of good choices to put in as starters next year that are currently in the bullpen (Woodruff, Barnes, and Freddy.) Where does that leave Hader? Is he too valuable out of the pen or do you have to at least see what he could be as a starter?

[jason21nl]

This team reminds me of the 2015 Cubs. They needed a guy that put together quality ABs and picked up Zobrist. They win it all the following year. They need a guy like that

[TJH123]

Woodruff hitting 99, damn

[MrTPlush]

There big problem for next year is not only do they need offense, but they need big impact offense and it needs to be RH. Not only that, but the obvious postitions are SS, 2B, and C.

 

That’s a big barrier and a big reason I bet we go into next year with the same sad offense. Unless they have the balls to trade Shaw or Aguilar OR negate Braun to a total bench role I doubt we empty the farm or payroll to get it done.

[TJH123]

Haha mods got me

[WinkelsasVsSoriano]

They're lauding the Machado bunt, but you just know if he fouled that off they'd be asking why a guy that can launch one out of the park who very rarely bunts would even try it.

[brewcrewdue80]

How long until Hiura is ready? I don't think he's up next year, is he?

 

Not with what he has shown thus far. I’d say still half a year away minimum.

 

That's all that matters. Can't act like Hiura vs whomever they play at 2b is the difference between Brewers making a postseason or not. If he's available for the postseason, the offense is better for these important games. It'd be a far better acquisition than Scope was.

[MrTPlush]

Y’all can stop booing Machado. He whooped us multiple times this series and is on his way to the WS while we go home to our couch. Just looks silly now.

[jason21nl]

Woody over JJ would have looked nice.

[adambr2]

My interest level in the World Series will be just about zero. I hope the Red Sox win, but I'm not invested in it at all. Seeing a massive battle of the ginormous payrolls for the 2 teams who proved you can buy a pennant doesn't sound very exciting to me.

[topper09er]

Well if nothing else this season provided me with excellent crap talking opportunities towards all the Cubs fans I work with

[The stache]

Sorry if I've been snippy guys. I'm just so frustrated. Been waiting so long, and to have one game, at home, to go to the Series, and put up this kind of offensive (and I don't mean hitting) performance is just....there are no words. I know I'm not alone. I just wanted to believe that for one night this team could surprise me, and rise to the occasion.

 

There will be plenty of time for, "the future is bright" and, "we're ahead of schedule" talk. Right now, I just want to punch something.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Top of the order coming up in the 8th. Bat around and they can win this game. Now is the time!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

So, the Brewers have a bunch of good choices to put in as starters next year that are currently in the bullpen (Woodruff, Barnes, and Freddy.) Where does that leave Hader? Is he too valuable out of the pen or do you have to at least see what he could be as a starter?

 

I personally would love to see if Hader has the chops to make it as a starter. I don't think it happens, though.

[Fear The Chorizo]

c'mon top o' the order - give us a reason to stop talking about the flipping hot stove in a NLCS game 7 game thread!