Game Thread (5/15/2022): Brewers (Woodruff) at Marlins (Hernandez) - 12:40 PM CDT

[Sir Illo]

Just a wildly impressive outing from Ashby. I’ll back others who suggest using Ashby as the utility knife in the pen ala early Hader and seeing what Small can do in the 6th/spot starter role. 

Happy to salvage a win at the end of a rough road trip. Welcome home Crew!

[Sixtolezcano]

1 hour ago, mtsportsfan said:

Way to go Wong ! Even game now. Just need Woody to shut them down !

Just need Ashby to shut them down.

[Sixtolezcano]

Just piggyback Ashby with each of Woody’s starts.

[Joseph Zarr]

I am going to be the advocate for: Use Ashby and promote Small and use him as you use Ashby. Both men are lights out Lefties to piggyback at this stage of their careers. I truly think this is a winning idea. ?

[Brewcrew82]

And we thought we were having a bad week...Dodgers on the verge of getting swept at home by the Phillies to follow up their series loss against the Pirates. Just goes to show how even the best of teams will have their poor stretches over the course of a 162 game season, and that doesn't mean that they are a bad team. 

[brewmann04]

Think the Crew might have found the perfect Role for AA

[Brewcrew82]

1 hour ago, Brewcrew82 said:

And we thought we were having a bad week...Dodgers on the verge of getting swept at home by the Phillies to follow up their series loss against the Pirates. Just goes to show how even the best of teams will have their poor stretches over the course of a 162 game season, and that doesn't mean that they are a bad team. 

Phillies bullpen and defense blows the game, but the point remains. 

[markedman5]

I’ve been hard on Ashby……the inconsistency and walks bother me…..but credit where it is due……when he is good……he is very very good.

 

[Robocaller]

2 hours ago, Julio Muchacho said:

I am going to be the advocate for: Use Ashby and promote Small and use him as you use Ashby. Both men are lights out Lefties to piggyback at this stage of their careers. I truly think this is a winning idea. ?

If you want ideal piggyback partners, you choose one RH and one LH.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, Robocaller said:

If you want ideal piggyback partners, you choose one RH and one LH.

Well, yes. I am merely suggesting: use Small in the same role. Out of the pen. Neither starting - give them the glorified Burnes/Peralta etc treatment. At this stage in their careers, and given the immense depth of the rotation as is we can afford to use both as piggy back specialists. And, that is my suggestion.

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 hours ago, Brewcrew82 said:

And we thought we were having a bad week...Dodgers on the verge of getting swept at home by the Phillies to follow up their series loss against the Pirates. Just goes to show how even the best of teams will have their poor stretches over the course of a 162 game season, and that doesn't mean that they are a bad team. 

An MVP level Yelich makes the Brewers an elite team and I'm fascinated that Brewers fans don't see it.

[yourout]

4 hours ago, markedman5 said:

I’ve been hard on Ashby……the inconsistency and walks bother me…..but credit where it is due……when he is good……he is very very good.

 

I remember Don Gullet. He was a pretty tough Lefty back in the day.

[Robocaller]

4 hours ago, Julio Muchacho said:

Well, yes. I am merely suggesting: use Small in the same role. Out of the pen. Neither starting - give them the glorified Burnes/Peralta etc treatment. At this stage in their careers, and given the immense depth of the rotation as is we can afford to use both as piggy back specialists. And, that is my suggestion.

piggy back usually means you're controlling innings by having one guy of a pair start one game and having the other guy of a pair start the next (or at least a future) game. 

I think what you're suggesting is just to have two long relievers (and spot starters) in the pen, not to actually piggyback them with another starter.

[SomewhereInTime]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

An MVP level Yelich makes the Brewers an elite team and I'm fascinated that Brewers fans don't see it.

What we haven't seen is an elite MVP level Yelich since 2019.  If his recent success is sustained, it will absolutely be a great season for the Brewers.

[Robocaller]

2 hours ago, SomewhereInTime said:

What we haven't seen is an elite MVP level Yelich since 2019.  If his recent success is sustained, it will absolutely be a great season for the Brewers.

I'd be happy with a >800 OPS Yelich.

[Joseph Zarr]

10 hours ago, Robocaller said:

piggy back usually means you're controlling innings by having one guy of a pair start one game and having the other guy of a pair start the next (or at least a future) game. 

I think what you're suggesting is just to have two long relievers (and spot starters) in the pen, not to actually piggyback them with another starter.

I think at this point we are getting into semantics. The main point is: At this stage of their careers, and especially seeing where Ashby is having success, I simply would prefer they not be viewed as 'Starters' in the traditional sense at the MLB level. Long-relief, piggy-backers, middle innings eaters, Bullpen games etc. Whatever we want to call it.