Game Thread (5/30/2022 - Game 1): Brewers (Small) at Cubs (Swarmer) - 12:05 PM CDT

[BruisedCrew]

5 minutes ago, HarryDoyle said:

This could be a long day for the Brewers.

This is going to be a challenging week for the pitching staff as a whole with 8 games in 7 days. They’re going to need another emergency starter on Wednesday before facing the Padres for four games. 
 

Have to hope to get Adames and Renfroe back for the weekend to help out the offense and for Woodruff to be back in time for the Mets series in mid June which starts a string of 13 games in 13 days. 
 

The June schedule always looked challenging and now it is even tougher. 

[Brewcrew82]

2 hours ago, Simba2020 said:

I'm not wrong, I quoted his year two when he was 23 and still two years young than Small is now. I don't see Small adding much velo and his control has been awful the past two years and will have to improve significantly and at 25+ years old, I'm just not so sure that it's going to happen.

Velocity isn't the only thing that matters, either. Spin rate/movement is almost equally as important and Small's spin rate on his fastball is quite high. Also, I don't understand the whole "he's already 25 argument" when the history of baseball is littered with guys who have improved their velocity/command after that age. For example, see DeGrom, Jacob. And the fact that you are ruling out him ever becoming a good pitcher after only one appearance does place you pretty squarely in the wrong. 

[Eye Black]

Small didn't really do anything that should've surprised those who've paid attention to what sort of pitcher he is. He'll be fine long-term, but I agree that in order to dream about him being an effective starter long-term he'll need a third pitch and improved command. 

Also, a reminder that Asbhy's MLB debut also came against the Cubs and he didn't make it out of the 1st inning...

Rk	Date	Tm	Opp	Rslt	Inngs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA	BF	Pit	Str	StL	StS	GB	FB	LD	GSc	SB
1	Jun 30	MIL	CHC	W,15-7	GS-1	0.2	4	7	4	3	0	0	54.00	10	39	18	6	2	5	2	2	19	2

[mtrebs]

I didn’t get to watch but it sounds like Small struggled. I’m not worried or surprised. As a Brewers fan I’m used to our guys struggling in their MLB debut while the opponents often look like the next coming of Cy Young.

[Brewcrew82]

Starting center fielder Tyrone Taylor!

[HarryDoyle]

Cubs defense is keeping us in this game.

[Simba2020]

Before signing off, to all I've offended from questioning the greatness to come of Ethan Small, I will go purchase my Ethan Small jersey today, I will make sure I'm first in line for the inevitable Ethan Small bobblehead day, and will make sure if I ever have son, I will name him Ethan Robert,

And I do hope I'm way off in my initial analysis.

[damuelle]

It’s comforting knowing that the Cubs suck and we’re going to win.

[HarryDoyle]

4 minutes ago, mtrebs said:

I didn’t get to watch but it sounds like Small struggled. I’m not worried or surprised. As a Brewers fan I’m used to our guys struggling in their MLB debut while the opponents often look like the next coming of Cy Young.

He looked good the first two innings but collapsed in the third.

[LouisEly]

Major league debut, you don't think a guy's going to be nervous and not sleep well the night before?  Add to that a 90 degree day game wearing dark colored jerseys, thinking about a 25mph wind blowing out to left as a LHP. 

And speaking of memory, Small was hitting 94 in the 2nd inning.

[sveumrules]

8 minutes ago, Eye Black said:

Small didn't really do anything that should've surprised those who've paid attention to what sort of pitcher he is. He'll be fine long-term, but I agree that in order to dream about him being an effective starter long-term he'll need a third pitch and improved command. 

Also, a reminder that Asbhy's MLB debut also came against the Cubs and he didn't make it out of the 1st inning...

Rk	Date	Tm	Opp	Rslt	Inngs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA	BF	Pit	Str	StL	StS	GB	FB	LD	GSc	SB
1	Jun 30	MIL	CHC	W,15-7	GS-1	0.2	4	7	4	3	0	0	54.00	10	39	18	6	2	5	2	2	19	2

All time classic game thread...

 

[Brewcrew82]

Just now, HarryDoyle said:

He looked good the first two innings but collapsed in the third.

Yep. 11 whiffs in 2 2/3 innings is pretty impressive. Just completely lost his command a la Ashby, but in the third rather than the first. 

[Joseph Zarr]

I absolutely am a fan of 2022 Miguel Sanchez post-Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimps series. Something clicked after that series and he is just blowing strikes into the zone. His two-Change up mix can be so impactful when he's on like this. I just love to see it.

[sveumrules]

2 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

I absolutely am a fan of 2022 Miguel Sanchez post-Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimps series. Something clicked after that series and he is just blowing strikes into the zone. His two-Change up mix can be so impactful when he's on like this. I just love to see it.

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in!!

[Brewcrew82]

5 minutes ago, Julio Muchacho said:

I absolutely am a fan of 2022 Miguel Sanchez post-Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimps series. Something clicked after that series and he is just blowing strikes into the zone. His two-Change up mix can be so impactful when he's on like this. I just love to see it.

He was also really good for a prolonged stretch last year when he got called up, alongside Cousins, before losing it a little bit in August/September. I really like him and what brings to the middle to back end of the bullpen. 

[timpep]

Is Jace hurt or do we just need McCutchens bat right now?

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, Brewcrew82 said:

He was also dominant for a prolonged stretch last year, alongside Cousins, before losing it a little bit in August/September. I really like him and what brings to the middle to back end of the bullpen. 

Absolutely. There was that stint in the Middle of the season (if I recall correct?) where we all thought we might have another Junior Guerra-like success on our hands. He faded down the stretch. Ultimately, relegated. He's fought his way back to this spot he's now in. I hope he takes it and runs with it. With the amount of success and pitching dominance we are seeing in Nashville, it only makes sense to see if they can carry it up to the Big Club and help them maintain a sense of pitching normalcy amongst the injuries.

[stoutdude04]

Another double play.

[Brewcrew82]

Good grief, McCutchen. How many double plays can one guy hit into. 

[timpep]

Just now, stoutdude04 said:

Another double play.

Just wait until he comes up against a right hand in the 9th or 10th. I think CC just outsmarted himself.

[HarryDoyle]

Cain and McCutcheon need to be put out to pasture.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Good grief, McCutchen. How many double plays can one guy hit into. 

The actual answer would be: That's his sixth GDP in 143 AB's. I hear ya GDP's never feel great.

[NBBrewFan]

4 minutes ago, timpep said:

Is Jace hurt or do we just need McCutchens bat right now?

How bad does the rest of the lineup have to be before we need Cutch's bat?  Cain level?

[Opening Day]

Assuming the "starters" are Urias, Adames, Wong, Rowdy, Narvaez, Yelich, Taylor, and Renfroe", at DH I'd put McCutchen  behind Keston and Peterson against righies, behind Brosseau against anyone.

[mtsportsfan]

This ump is terrible ! So inconsistent.