3/15/05 Brewers (Capuano) @ Giants (Schmidt), 7:50 CT WTMJ

[MassBrew]

There's also a split-squad night game at the Brewers' complex vs. the Rangers (Astacio vs. Sheets) -- I was hoping there'd be Texas audio there, as I'd volunteer to game log that one in a separate thread, but since information on that one will be sparse until the final's in (Jim Powell will probably provide an update or two), we'll go with the one game thread. Both box scores should include several kids brought up from the minor league camp for the night.

 

Brewers / Giants MLB.com audio link for out-of-town subscribers, you locals have WTMJ radio tonight!

 

mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ml...d=20050315

 

EDITED: To reflect proper audio game

[berniebrewer4life]

Hope cappy pitches well. i would actually not mind seeing him in the rotation over lil Ben.

[honuswagner521]

Looks like the game vs. the Rangers can be heard on 620 WTMJ in and around Milwaukee

 

www.620wtmj.com/620progra...lineup.pdf

[hardytheman]

Hope cappy pitches well. i would actually not mind seeing him in the rotation over lil Ben.

 

---

 

if he isnt injured by opening day, you can guarantee capuano is the 4th pitcher.

 

Question is, who fills out the 5th spot? Lil ben sure isnt helping his cause. Dela is pitching well, so are obie and glover.

[DHonks]

and I'm still hoping others step forward and make Santos expendable. I just don't trust him. I would feel very comfortable with Sheets, Davis, Cappy, and two kids.

[SenatorShriv]

I'll be watching Sheets and DLR today along with (I believe) Turnbow in Maryvale.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

and I'm still hoping others step forward and make Santos expendable. I just don't trust him. I would feel very comfortable with Sheets, Davis, Cappy, and two kids.

---

 

I doubt they lay out the rotation with 2 lefties next to each other in the top 3. At the beginning of spring training, I thought the rotation was basically a lock R-L-R-L-R combo with Sheets, Davis, Santos, Capuano and Hendrickson, but just looking at small-sample results from this spring, it looks like it might shape out something like Sheets, Davis, Obermueller, Capuano, De la Rosa/Glover.

 

Personally, I think Santos is a lock to make the team no matter how bad he pitches. Doug really seems like over-value veteran pitchers (hence the mention of Rick Helling yesterday), so I don't see Santos getting cut. He's probably trade bait, but Doug would require something substantial in return.

[DHonks]

I'll be watching Sheets and DLR today along with (I believe) Turnbow in Maryvale.

 

Keep an eye on Turnbow. When I saw him he was all over the place. They were strikes, but showed no command whatsoever.

 

And let's hope DLR keeps attacking and goes 3-4 strong

[bork]

Since this is the last split-squad game, I would think there may be some roster cuts tomorrow. Also, probably the last chance to see some of the youngsters in big league games.

[clancyphile]

Hendrickson isn't stepping up - I think we have to hope Santos holds up until Hendrickson sorts it all out in Nashville.

[nodderman]

I have no problem giving Glover a shot as he has looked descent. Until he proves otherwise I am fairly confident in getting 6 innings or so out of him for now. I know he hasn't produced well, but in his small sample last year he seemed ok.

[ja002h]

I think we have to hope Santos holds up until Hendrickson sorts it all out in Nashville.

 

The only problem of course being that he seemed to sort things out very nicely in AAA before...

 

Have there been other players that have absolutely dominated AAA, but never made it in the bigs?

[rluzinski]

Hendrickson isn't stepping up - I think we have to hope Santos holds up until Hendrickson sorts it all out in Nashville.

 

SIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGSSIX INNINGSSIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGSSIX INNINGSSIX INNINGSSIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGSSIX INNINGSSIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGSSIX INNINGSSIX INNINGS

SIX INNINGSSIX INNINGSSIX INNINGS

[hardytheman]

rlu, Im wondering what the excuse is gonna be when Lil Ben gets sent to AAA this year after 12 innings or 18 innings of crap pitching this spring? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

 

Seriously, if Lil Ben never makes it in the bigs, whats the reason you are preparing?

 

Im just playing. Im cutting ben some slack right now, even thugh I dont think his stuff is good enough to succeed at this level, all due to his mechanics changes.

 

If that is the case, maybe he should go to AAA to start the year and work those new mechanics out. We dont need a 5th starter that badly in April and Im sure if wise makes the team, he could fill that role til May.

[rluzinski]

I'm not saying Hendrickson is destined for greatness, I'm saying that we don't know WHAT he's destined for.

 

I DO know that based on his domination of AAA, he has nothing else to learn there. Any mechanical changes should be worked out using MEANLINGLESS spring training innings. He's also earned the right to get more than 46 MLB innings (and SIX spring training innings) before the Brewers should proclaim him a failure.

 

46 innings.... give me a break!

[hardytheman]

I'm not saying Hendrickson is destined for greatness, I'm saying that we don't know WHAT he's destined for.

 

I DO know that based on his domination of AAA, he has nothing else to learn there. He's also earned the right to get more than 46 MLB innings (and SIX spring training innings) before the Brewers should proclaim him a failure.

 

46 innings.... give me a break!

 

-----

 

I agree, I was playing around like I said. However, from watching him last year, and being a pitcher, I know I know, my background in the sport isnt valid, I do think his stuff isnt going to cut it in the bigs. Not unless he can consistently hit the corners and add another notch or two to his fastball, which I might add is very possible. His curve also, IMO, doesnt have the bite to fool really good ML hitters on a consistent basis, but that too can improve with more arm strength and better mechanics.

 

The only reason he should go to AAA IMO is due to him changing his mechanics, which like HE even says, takes time to get comfortable with.

[sheetswannabe]

I would like to see Big Ben do good today.

[BillScottCanRake]

If Ben H is really working in the 90-92 range as DHonks has reported (instead of 86-88), I think thats enough velocity given the movement on his pitches.

 

That doesn't guarantee anything, but I think it helps his cause and should give him a bit longer look.

[DevilDog1775]

My gameday prediction:

 

Both starters perform well. Both watered down bullpens give up runs late. But Branyan and Fielder both go yard in the Texas game to pull it out there. Brewers split the day 1-1. Branyan goes 2-3 with a HR, Helms 0-3 with an error. Tomorrow, Yost announces Helms has finally pulled away from Branyan at 3B.

 

Seriously, though, look for Branyan to stay hot. Pressure's on at 3B more than ever.

[FVBrewerFan]

Quote:

---

Hope cappy pitches well. i would actually not mind seeing him in the rotation over lil Ben.

---

 

Maybe confusing Capuano with Capellan?

[scoop53714]

BH is hitting 92 MPH now? If thats the case, he will be fine. If he tops out at 89, forget it.

[H0FFY]

It would be nice to know the truth. The 'rumour' is he is hitting 92-94. Perhaps the rumour can make it way toward triple digits.

 

Anyway, if we are now talking about a guy with low 90s fastball with great movement, and a killer curver, and and decent changeup, we are talking about a number 1 or 2 starter... or maybe even an ACE.

 

So, rumours aside, can somebody give sustainable, factual info that we can make judgements on.

[DHonks]

If Ben H is really working in the 90-92 range as DHonks has reported (instead of 86-8http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/glasses.gif , I think thats enough velocity given the movement on his pitches.

 

well, replace one word..."speculated" instead of "reported". Basically it just looks like he's bigger and stronger, and has added a 4seamer to his selection. I have no radar gun, and the cactus league facilities don't put it on the boards. But it just has seemed a touch faster. Even at 89, how many pitchers have succeeded? Doug Drabek, Daryl Kile, Greg Maddux, Doug Davis, Jamie Moyer, Pettite, Shane Reynolds, Cory Lidle, Paul Wilson, Reuter, Nomo, Leiter, Glavine, etc etc. Ben just needs to improve his command, learn to throw the curve where he wants it each time, and attack hitters.

[BillScottCanRake]

Maybe we need to take up a collection for a BF.net radar gun and have it shiped to DHonks.

 

It sure would be nice to know if he's added some velocity over the off season.

[SeriesFinale]

Sorry guys, I'm sure this has been rehashed a million times, but what how do I log-in to listen to tonight's game on the Gameday Audio on the Brewers' site? It's prompting me for a password...It's free for ST, right?