2021-10-12 (NLDS Game #4): Brewers (Lauer) at Braves (Morton) [Brewers lose, 5-4 -- Freeman’s 8th inning HR off Hader breaks tie, and hearts]

[Eye Black]

 

Eric Lauer: Batter (Braves) vs Pitching Stats

 

Charlie Morton: Batter (Brewers) vs Pitching Stats

 

Statcast Game Preview for Braves-Brewers NLDS Game #4

 

Statcast Game Feed for Braves-Brewers NLDS Game #4

[Eye Black]

Must Win Game ™️

 

 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

“You get the feeling that Billy Chapel isn’t pitching against left-handers, he isn’t pitching against pinch hitters, he isn’t pitching against the Yankees. He’s pitching against time. He’s pitching against the future, against age, and even when you think about his career, against ending. And tonight I think he might be able to use that aching old arm one more time to push the sun back up in the sky and give us one more day of summer.” - Vin Scully, For Love of the Game

 

I can't help but think of this quote today. This has been a terrific season to follow Brewers baseball. This team has had quite a bit of magic in it. I just don't want it to end tonight.

[MrTPlush]

Can't say I really am going to look back fondly at this years team if they can't win the NLDS. Too high of expectations coupled with an implosion to the end the regular season and at the moment has a streak of two games scoring zero runs in postseason games.

 

I am sick of the franchise needing to hype up moments from runs that don't even make the World Series.

[Eye Black]

Can't say I really am going to look back fondly at this years team if they can't win the NLDS. Too high of expectations coupled with an implosion to the end the regular season and at the moment has a streak of two games scoring zero runs in postseason games.

I think once the season officially ends it could be a therapeutic exercise to discuss how we’ll all remember the 2021 Brewers, but for at least one more day the story is still being written.

[brewers4eric]

In 1982 we had to win 3 straight against Reggie Jackson and the Angels to make the World Series. Winning 2 in a row against the Braves in 2021 should be a piece of cake.

 

Our offense clicked this year when we drew walks. We've just run into a team that doesn't issue many.

 

Stay patient, Go Brewers.

[Eye Black]

“You get the feeling that Billy Chapel isn’t pitching against left-handers, he isn’t pitching against pinch hitters, he isn’t pitching against the Yankees. He’s pitching against time. He’s pitching against the future, against age, and even when you think about his career, against ending. And tonight I think he might be able to use that aching old arm one more time to push the sun back up in the sky and give us one more day of summer.” - Vin Scully, For Love of the Game

 

I can't help but think of this quote today. This has been a terrific season to follow Brewers baseball. This team has had quite a bit of magic in it. I just don't want it to end tonight.

Unpopular Opinion: I actually really like that movie.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

“You get the feeling that Billy Chapel isn’t pitching against left-handers, he isn’t pitching against pinch hitters, he isn’t pitching against the Yankees. He’s pitching against time. He’s pitching against the future, against age, and even when you think about his career, against ending. And tonight I think he might be able to use that aching old arm one more time to push the sun back up in the sky and give us one more day of summer.” - Vin Scully, For Love of the Game

 

I can't help but think of this quote today. This has been a terrific season to follow Brewers baseball. This team has had quite a bit of magic in it. I just don't want it to end tonight.

Unpopular Opinion: I actually really like that movie.

 

Me too. I'm kind of a sucker for sappy movies, though.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Can't say I really am going to look back fondly at this years team if they can't win the NLDS. Too high of expectations coupled with an implosion to the end the regular season and at the moment has a streak of two games scoring zero runs in postseason games.

 

I am sick of the franchise needing to hype up moments from runs that don't even make the World Series.

 

My thoughts exactly. IMO with a loss today, this team is 'fart in the wind' fodder. A less exciting finish than 2008, a team that had the distinction of making us respectable again.

 

We've had 3 good teams in the past 4 years; it's totally natural to feel how we do at this point. It's time to get over the hump. Winning divisions isn't satisfying anymore. I'm too young for '82, I grew up on ONLY losing and I still feel this way.

[StearnsFTW]

I see the game thread is off to a normal start.

[jonescm128]

I saw Counsell said yesterday that he wouldn't use Burnes today. Do you think that is a bluff? Would hate to not get him the opportunity to pitch again even if it is on short rest.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think you consider Burnes if your #4 is Jeff Suppan or something but that is not the scenario. We have a #4 who has played like a very good #2 so you go with the horse who got you here. If he doesn't pitch well, he doesn't, but there is nothing wrong with trusting him at this point. You have your ace for the finale if it works. Forcing him to throw on short rest just kicks today's "problem" down the road. And I don't think you can say Woodruff can play Game 5. At this point Woodruff isn't Burnes. He has clearly been less effective.

 

Lauer is the right play I think, and you go with Burnes at home in G5. If we have to use Burnes in relief, this thing has probably already gone sideways.

[KeithStone53151]

My unapologetic hot take of the day. The Brewers score early, and score at least 4 today.

[BruisedCrew]

Can't say I really am going to look back fondly at this years team if they can't win the NLDS. Too high of expectations coupled with an implosion to the end the regular season and at the moment has a streak of two games scoring zero runs in postseason games.

I think once the season officially ends it could be a therapeutic exercise to discuss how we’ll all remember the 2021 Brewers, but for at least one more day the story is still being written.

 

I will gladly withhold my personal feelings about this season until it is officially over.

[roadcrew3]

I have no doubt this team delivers today. They're due for a big game from the offense after some hard contact and unlucky outs yesterday.

 

Then we'll be heading back to Milwaukee for a game 5 with our ace on the mound. In 12 hours we're going to be feeling pretty good about where this team stands.

[jonescm128]

I think you consider Burnes if your #4 is Jeff Suppan or something but that is not the scenario. We have a #4 who has played like a very good #2 so you go with the horse who got you here. If he doesn't pitch well, he doesn't, but there is nothing wrong with trusting him at this point. You have your ace for the finale if it works. Forcing him to throw on short rest just kicks today's "problem" down the road. And I don't think you can say Woodruff can play Game 5. At this point Woodruff isn't Burnes. He has clearly been less effective.

 

Lauer is the right play I think, and you go with Burnes at home in G5. If we have to use Burnes in relief, this thing has probably already gone sideways.

 

And the Braves are slightly worse against lefties. Just don't let Houser pitch to Joc Pederson...

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I think you consider Burnes if your #4 is Jeff Suppan or something but that is not the scenario. We have a #4 who has played like a very good #2 so you go with the horse who got you here. If he doesn't pitch well, he doesn't, but there is nothing wrong with trusting him at this point. You have your ace for the finale if it works. Forcing him to throw on short rest just kicks today's "problem" down the road. And I don't think you can say Woodruff can play Game 5. At this point Woodruff isn't Burnes. He has clearly been less effective.

 

Lauer is the right play I think, and you go with Burnes at home in G5. If we have to use Burnes in relief, this thing has probably already gone sideways.

 

I agree with every word of this. The Brewers have managed to put together a starting rotation that most every other MLB team would drool over. They've followed their pitching plan all season, and it has been incredibly successful. They aren't going to deviate from that plan and start pitching guys on short rest when they haven't even considered doing that all year.

 

You give Lauer the start this afternoon, with the expectation that he pitches like the high-end starting pitcher he's looked like since June.

[StearnsFTW]

My unapologetic hot take of the day. The Brewers score early, and score at least 4 today.

 

Agree. This is the best I've felt about a game since game 1.

 

IF they win today, game 5 is going to be a war.

[jonescm128]

My unapologetic hot take of the day. The Brewers score early, and score at least 4 today.

 

Agree. This is the best I've felt about a game since game 1.

 

IF they win today, game 5 is going to be a war.

 

Clearly the results haven't been there but yesterday they finally started to hit the ball hard

[MrTPlush]

The bold prediction for the day:

 

Josh Hader pitches two innings.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

The bold prediction for the day:

 

Josh Hader pitches two innings.

 

I like that one! Very outside the box!

 

Mine is Yelich goes yard.

[TURBO]

The bold prediction for the day:

 

Josh Hader pitches two innings.

 

I like that one! Very outside the box!

 

Mine is Yelich goes yard.

 

Mine is Wong.

 

3 x 4, leadoff homer. 2 run 2B, BB, 3 RBI (the only 3 runs we score)

[Nola Beery]

Absent some unimaginable blunder --much more than merely a strategic move that doesn't work out-- Craig Counsell will not win or lose this game. It's not all THAT complicated: Whoever gets the ball must pitch, whoever steps up to the plate must hit.

 

It's like backgammon: Strategy matters, but the roll of the dice can make a joke of any plan.

No premature post-mortem while there are dice yet to roll.

[sveumrules]

Can't say I really am going to look back fondly at this years team if they can't win the NLDS. Too high of expectations coupled with an implosion to the end the regular season and at the moment has a streak of two games scoring zero runs in postseason games.

 

I am sick of the franchise needing to hype up moments from runs that don't even make the World Series.

 

My thoughts exactly. IMO with a loss today, this team is 'fart in the wind' fodder. A less exciting finish than 2008, a team that had the distinction of making us respectable again.

 

We've had 3 good teams in the past 4 years; it's totally natural to feel how we do at this point. It's time to get over the hump. Winning divisions isn't satisfying anymore. I'm too young for '82, I grew up on ONLY losing and I still feel this way.

 

Time to get over the hump?

 

Since their last World Series win the Yankees have been in 9 of 12 postseasons without so much as a WS appearance.

 

Since their last World Series win the Cardinals have made 7 of 10 postseason with a lone WS loss their best result.

 

The stacked Nationals needed five postseason trips in eight years before they got over the hump.

 

The even more stacked Dodgers needed eight postseasons & a pandemic weirdened season to get over the hump.

 

The Brewers are just getting started, expecting them to get over the postseason hump on an accelerated timetable compared to what organizations with more resources & talent did is probably setting one's self up for disappointment.

[Nola Beery]

I think once the season officially ends it could be a therapeutic exercise to discuss how we’ll all remember the 2021 Brewers, but for at least one more day the story is still being written.

This.