2021-04-14: Cubs (Arrieta) at Brewers (Burnes) [Brewers win, 7-0 -- Burnes historic start to the season continues]

[adambr2]

I guess I'm as bad as Cub fans at judging flyballs because I thought that was gone off Bote's bat.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I guess I'm as bad as Cub fans at judging flyballs because I thought that was gone off Bote's bat.

 

I did too. I have no read on anything today, honestly. I've gotten used to having no idea on low line drives or sharp groundballs, but I harbored the illusion that anything hit above the shift was still decipherable. Not today, anyway.

[adambr2]

I guess I'm as bad as Cub fans at judging flyballs because I thought that was gone off Bote's bat.

 

I did too. I have no read on anything today, honestly. I've gotten used to having no idea on low line drives or sharp groundballs, but I harbored the illusion that anything hit above the shift was still decipherable. Not today, anyway.

 

 

Yep. The modern shift sure has ruined the momentary reaction of "Oh, nice hit up the middle."

 

"Oh, nevermind, routine grounder."

[markedman5]

Burnes apparently has mastered the ability to avoid the barrel.....so even when they look crushed they die in medium left field.

 

Just that little late movement on the cutter maybe?

[homer]

I guess I'm as bad as Cub fans at judging flyballs because I thought that was gone off Bote's bat.

 

I did too. I have no read on anything today, honestly. I've gotten used to having no idea on low line drives or sharp groundballs, but I harbored the illusion that anything hit above the shift was still decipherable. Not today, anyway.

 

 

Yep. The modern shift sure has ruined the momentary reaction of "Oh, nice hit up the middle."

 

"Oh, nevermind, routine grounder."

 

Yeah I wish the TV broadcasts would do a better job of showing you the positioning for each hitter.

[wildcat2237]

Vogelbach now hitting .118. If he's not going to hit, gotta figure he is shipped out of town pretty quick.

[trwi7]

A few days ago someone asked what is classified as a hard hit ball and I said I thought it was 95 exit velocity and above and I'm 99.9% sure that's right now because the hard hit percentage in this game was 36% and that Vogelbach liner had an exit velocity of 95.2 and the hard hit percentage went up to 39%.

[owbc]

Vogelbach now hitting .118. If he's not going to hit, gotta figure he is shipped out of town pretty quick.

 

Yeah he gave that 3-1 pitch a nice ride but that's a scenario where he needs to be hitting a Vogelbomb to stay on the team.

 

It feels like the 1B position is under the curse of Prince Fielder.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

A few days ago someone asked what is classified as a hard hit ball and I said I thought it was 95 exit velocity and above and I'm 99.9% sure that's right now because the hard hit percentage in this game was 36% and that Vogelbach liner had an exit velocity of 95.2 and the hard hit percentage went up to 39%.

 

I think I asked about that, and this is good to know. Thanks. This is one of the fun parts of game threads. Finding and confirming little details about the way the experience of watching baseball feels.

[nate82]

A few days ago someone asked what is classified as a hard hit ball and I said I thought it was 95 exit velocity and above and I'm 99.9% sure that's right now because the hard hit percentage in this game was 36% and that Vogelbach liner had an exit velocity of 95.2 and the hard hit percentage went up to 39%.

 

Not the be all end all but baseball savant has it at 95 MPH+.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard

[timpep]

Vogelbach now hitting .118. If he's not going to hit, gotta figure he is shipped out of town pretty quick.

 

He's only had like 20 plate appearances or something like that and he's had some really bad luck on hard hit balls. He works the count, and rarely swings at bad pitches. None of this matters if he can't eventually turn bad luck into hits though. I do hope they give him at least 50-75 at bats before cutting bait though.

[adambr2]

Unfortunately that AB by Happ may be the one that keeps Burnes out of the 7th inning tonight.

[owbc]

I have to say, I really like Sogard in a Cubs uniform. He might be my favorite Cubs player of all time.

[markedman5]

30 strikeouts and zero walks on the season for Burnes.......

[adambr2]

BA with the obligatory "see that's a luck play, not a skill play" when the ball pops out of Omar's mitt on the foul tip. I figured it would have been Rock.

[adambr2]

Not really sure what Rizzo was just standing there for. He pretty clearly went around.

[nate82]

When was the last time the Brewers had a pitcher start the year with 3 straight 9+ strikeout games?

 

Maybe Sheets though I don't think he ever did.

[jerichoholicninja]

Vogelbach now hitting .118. If he's not going to hit, gotta figure he is shipped out of town pretty quick.

 

He's only had like 20 plate appearances or something like that and he's had some really bad luck on hard hit balls. He works the count, and rarely swings at bad pitches. None of this matters if he can't eventually turn bad luck into hits though. I do hope they give him at least 50-75 at bats before cutting bait though.

 

Does working the count mean taking belt high fastballs over the plate? I haven't seen much of him but that's all I've seen him do today. He's had a bunch of very hittable pitches I thought he should have swung at but just stood there.

[KeithStone53151]

Come on, rip a grand slam here and give Contreras a "shhhhhh" when you cross home plate...

[Underachiever]

If they make it to Burnes' spot, they would have scored at least a run. Do you pull him?

Edit: I guess it's not a guarantee they would have scored.

[MrTPlush]

Vogelbach now hitting .118. If he's not going to hit, gotta figure he is shipped out of town pretty quick.

 

Yeah he gave that 3-1 pitch a nice ride but that's a scenario where he needs to be hitting a Vogelbomb to stay on the team.

 

It feels like the 1B position is under the curse of Prince Fielder.

 

It isn't a curse, 1B is a position they neglect by choice. The draft they heavily prefer athletic guys at more premium positions. It isn't hard to find acceptable production at 1B cheaply every year. That is why we never have a long term guy because why bother investing a bunch into such a non premium position?

 

We have had a number of guys be fine at 1st over the years. Were they stellar? No...but we can't have that at every position and we rarely put a lot of money into it. Chris Carter was decent, Eric Thames was solid for three years, Jesus Aguilar was amazing one year. Adam Lind was pretty good. Since Fielder left I can probably only count three years where first base was really bad. 2013, 2014, and in 2020. We have done pretty well at first base over the years.

 

Since 2011 we are #18 offensively at 1B and since 2015 we are #9. Sounds good to me considering we have invested so little into the position.

[KeithStone53151]

If they make it to Burnes' spot, they would have scored at least a run. Do you pull him?

 

Absolutely not, he's on a roll. I think you let him go minimum 7 innings. I think he's only around 80 pitches so 1 more inning should be easy enough.

 

If it was 0-0 and 2 outs with burnes up bases loaded...I think you pull him. With a 3 run lead I think you let him keep carving.

[wildcat2237]

Vogelbach now hitting .118. If he's not going to hit, gotta figure he is shipped out of town pretty quick.

 

Yeah he gave that 3-1 pitch a nice ride but that's a scenario where he needs to be hitting a Vogelbomb to stay on the team.

 

It feels like the 1B position is under the curse of Prince Fielder.

 

Vogelbach either needs to be hitting around .300 or needs to be hitting around .250 with power. If not, his value as a DH in the NL is extremely limited.

[MrTPlush]

Ouch, a bases loaded walk with zero outs.

[homer]

When was the last time the Brewers had a pitcher start the year with 3 straight 9+ strikeout games?

 

Maybe Sheets though I don't think he ever did.

 

Looks like they've had a few guys do it. I don't have a subscription to Stathead to see the results though.