Game Thread (5/21/2022): Nationals (Corbin) at Brewers (Woodruff) - 6:10 PM CDT

[DuWayne Steurer]

1 minute ago, DoubleSwitch said:

Urias now has a 158 wrc+ and only one more strikeout than walk. I don't want to get too excited, but he might be taking another big step forward.

 

He's finally really showing the elite contact skills he was hyped for and blending that with the power gains he made last year.

Ueck's comparing him on the radio to Altuve.  I'll take that as a comp.  Without the cheating.  ?

[LaprilOne]

Perhaps I am naïve, but I do not see that the front office is writing lineups on a daily basis.  They probably have review meetings, but I doubt they fill out the lineup card.  I will defer to solid, not hearsay evidence.

[DoubleSwitch]

2 minutes ago, CdrbrgMark said:

 

So what's the point  of having a "manager" if others help make the decisions

I really hope you've never been put in charge of anything in your life because this is the worst possible attitude a manager can have

[Brewcrew82]

Granted, we're playing the Nationals and our schedule thus far hasn't exactly been a murders' row, but I am starting to believe, with the overall weakness of our division, that this could be the first Brewers team to top the 100 win mark, or at the very least, get quite close to it. 

[DuWayne Steurer]

2 minutes ago, SomewhereInTime said:

Makes you wonder how long of a leash Cain will be given.  All of the sudden the Brewers have a surplus of guys who can hit.

I think the only reason Cain's still finding himself on the roster is the lack of a decent defensive option for CF.  Taylor is 'meh' in CF, and he hasn't hit much yet either.  Nobody else on the team is a CF, and if Cain were to (somehow) even get his OPS up around .600-ish, he's worth more than Taylor. 

[magnoliacrew]

5 hours ago, magnoliacrew said:

Would love to see Woody have a strong outing today to stabilize expectations.

I'll take 1 run over 6 innings.

[Brewcrew82]

Great stuff from Woody. Keep up the positive momentum, and he will sooner than later reclaim his spot among the top pitchers in the league. 

[edfunderburk]

6 minutes ago, SomewhereInTime said:

Makes you wonder how long of a leash Cain will be given.  All of the sudden the Brewers have a surplus of guys who can hit.

Unfortunately, none of those deemed MLB-ready can play strong enough defense in CF

[Brewcrew82]

Over/under on the day of Cain's first home run of the season? His power, which was never elite to begin with, has just completely vanished. Only three extra base hits on the season. too. 

[edfunderburk]

Vintage Cain … goes with the pitch & gets a solid line-drive knock into RF

I’d love to see him experience a hot streak & move above the Mendoza line 

[Brewcrew82]

7 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

Unfortunately, none of those deemed MLB-ready can play strong enough defense in CF

Turang might be able to give us something from that position. Particularly in a semi-platoon with Taylor. @Julio Muchacho how has Turang been looking in center?

[edfunderburk]

Nice defensive play at 1B by Hiura on a terrible routine throw from SS by Urius … saved an error & recorded the out ??

[edfunderburk]

Good to see Woody pitch six innings & only surrender one run on 100 pitches - & no BB 

[LaprilOne]

Drinking game: One shot every time Bill says "pulled this hands in."

[Brock Beauchamp]

39 minutes ago, CdrbrgMark said:

So what's the point  of having a "manager" if others help make the decisions, and what's the point of choosing a "manager" of the year. I guess the front office helps make decisions on relief pitchers coming in during the game too.

Are you complaining that the manager is being given quality information and is acting upon that information?

No offense but I truly do not understand some baseball fans. 

[Joseph Zarr]

32 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Turang might be able to give us something from that position. Particularly in a semi-platoon with Taylor. @Julio Muchacho how has Turang been looking in center?

Well, he's looked fine. BUT, 'Sweetie' has said on more than one interview occasion: this is just to give him some work out there. More than anything, Turang is just a good baseball player. He's not a CF'er. Just so we're clear. BUT, he could fill in in a pinch. That's the point. AND, I would add, it's kind of like how the Shuckers throw Valerio to LF. He's not a LF'er. At all. BUT, he's just a damn good defensive baseball player. So, they expand horizons. Valerio made an incredible play tonight to keep the game 4-5 (they ultimately lost) on an improbable throw-out in the deep right CF grass. Turang going to CF is like that: flexibility. HEY! Jakson Reetz (also having an incredible season) played LF last night. He's a catcher. And, only a catcher. A different transition, yes! BUT, it speaks to his athleticism and the way the Brewers approach their prospects.

[magnoliacrew]

5 hours ago, sveumrules said:

Hiura has hit RHP better than LHP so far in his career, yes, but analytics would indicate the sample is likely too small to draw any meaningful conclusions from about Keston’s true talent levels in that regard…

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/batter-pitcher-splits-crib-sheet/

 

• Batters don’t have their platoon splits stabilize until at least 1,000 plate appearances against each hand (around 2,000 for right-handed batters)

Good data. I (still) believe Hiura has reverse splits.

[Brewcrew82]

Counsell needs to ride this “wave” with Hiura and see how far it takes him. He has too much talent not to.

[Jopal78]

36 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Over/under on the day of Cain's first home run of the season? His power, which was never elite to begin with, has just completely vanished. Only three extra base hits on the season. too. 

He’s got a big guarantee salary wise but a guy with a .470 OPS has to get it going sooner or later or they’ll have no choice but release Cain.

I think almost any hitter they have in AAA could better a .470 OPS in the majors.

[CdrbrgMark]

5 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Are you complaining that the manager is being given quality information and is acting upon that I formation?

No offense but I truly do not understand some baseball fans. 

Not complaining, just stating my perceptions.

[sveumrules]

1 minute ago, magnoliacrew said:

Good data. I (still) believe Hiura has reverse splits.

It’s entirely possible that’s where things end up shaking out, they certainly have to a pretty extreme extent thus far in his scattered PAs.

Ultimately, the only way we’ll ever get closer to finding out is by giving him more consistent opportunities.

With Freddy’s extreme K & fly ball profile, I’d be playing Keston at 2B for most all of his starts. Then between 1B/DH they should be able to find another 3-4 games a week against both RHP & LHP.

[Eye Black]

12 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

Well, he's looked fine. BUT, 'Sweetie' has said on more than one interview occasion: this is just to give him some work out there. More than anything, Turang is just a good baseball player. He's not a CF'er. Just so we're clear. BUT, he could fill in in a pinch. That's the point. AND, I would add, it's kind of like how the Shuckers throw Valerio to LF. He's not a LF'er. At all. BUT, he's just a damn good defensive baseball player. So, they expand horizons. Valerio made an incredible play tonight to keep the game 4-5 (they ultimately lost) on an improbable throw-out in the deep right CF grass. Turang going to CF is like that: flexibility. HEY! Jakson Reetz (also having an incredible season) played LF last night. He's a catcher. And, only a catcher. A different transition, yes! BUT, it speaks to his athleticism and the way the Brewers approach their prospects.

It’s very similar to what the Dodgers have done for years as part of their player development and other teams are now [smartly] emulating. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, Eye Black said:

It’s very similar to what the Dodgers have done for years as part of their player development and other teams are now [smartly] emulating. 

Exactly. It's just super smart. Take your best prospects - the guys that can pretty much handle anything and are already extremely competent at their 'home' position - and stretch them out. It just makes so much sense.

And, oh, let's just toss in a Joey Wiemer missile over the wall; over the flags; into LF into the parking lot. He was a triple shy of the cycle. Surely, he regrets his weak pop-out in the top of the ninth. BUT, a 4-5 evening is quite nice.

 

[markedman5]

 

[magnoliacrew]

6 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

It’s entirely possible that’s where things end up shaking out, they certainly have to a pretty extreme extent thus far in his scattered PAs.

Ultimately, the only way we’ll ever get closer to finding out is by giving him more consistent opportunities.

With Freddy’s extreme K & fly ball profile, I’d be playing Keston at 2B for most all of his starts. Then between 1B/DH they should be able to find another 3-4 games a week against both RHP & LHP.

Agree. Don't think that CC will do adopt this approach. I would like to know about Hiura sooner rather than later.