Brewers Weekly

Wow what a shitty week this one was. I would like to completely forget that the Brewers played this week. There are not a lot of good things to point out from this week.

Reds (1-3)

Monday's game was an absolute pitcher's duel which was awesome to see Chris Capuano finally starting to pitch like we all know he can. Aaron Harrang for the Reds had a monster performance too, going 10 innings and 10 strikeouts. I would of like to see Johnny Estrada bust his ass a little harder because if anyone else is up, that is not a double play consequently ended the Brewers' chances in the 10th. Then Grant "Ball-Four" blows the game for the Crew which went downhill when he gave up a four-pitch walk to a guy who was bunting for Christ sakes.

Tuesday got better with a great performance by Yovani yet Fransisco Cordero looked very shaky in that game, almost giving up the game-winner to Ken Griffey Jr.

Wednesday was what we have see from Jeff Suppan most of the year-a shitty outing. He gave up five big runs and the Brewers were coming back which brought to 5-3. Then Matt Wise was thrown off entirely after he hit Pedro Lopez in the mouth which then led to two more runs.

Thursday, Dave Bush had an alright outing but he gave up a couple of runs in the 5th then was pulled from the game after the inning. I just do not get why these pitchers cannot go deep into ball games, it is like Ned Yost is worried so much about their pitch count or getting everyone equal time that he does not let these guys pitch deep. It is mind boggling to me. It was good to see the Brewers come back to lead going into the 9th with Mr. Autom.... wait a minute, Cordero blows the game and Jaiver Valentin wins the second game of this series in the 10th inning. At least the Cubs lost as well. Hopefully things would get better in St. Louis.

Cards (1-3)

Friday was a great game to watch because the Brewers were doing everything that they were suppose to. They hit the ball finally to opposite field and were seeing big results out of it. Is Claudio Vargas money or what? He is now 9-2 and the Brewers look to have a different swagger when he is on the mound.

Saturday featured a doubleheader which the Brewers needed at least one of two Manny Parra came up big for the Crew in a spot start and had a nice 6-3 cushion when he left the game despite only having one earned run. Then Coco blows up again in the ninth, allowing three runs to give the Cards the win. Just horrible, they had a six run lead and manage to give up seven runs. When will this club find their killer instinct, its like whenever they have a big lead, it goes to hell minus Friday's game. Then the nightcap features a better pitching Capuano versus Anthony Reyes who has not won since last September and what do the Brewers do. They get two fucking hits off of this ass clown, thats all two hits. Only two hits is horrible and they should be ashamed that they once again screwed Cappy out of a win because he pitched well after a horrendous first inning. They have now lost eleven consecutive games when he is pitching, yikes.

Today's game (Sunday) once again got the Brewers off to a quick start with a 5-o lead but then Yovani who was lights out through 4th inning, gave up four huge runs in the 5th therefore meant that it was another short day for Brewer starters. Then Derrick Turnbow gives up a couple of hits but then gives up an RBI single to tie the game and Carlos Villienueva walks in the winning run plus gives up a three run double to Albert Pujols. Pathetic, that what that is, they had a five run lead and manage to give up nine straight runs without getting any offense going late? Oh wait they had 14 singles, why on Earth Yost, would you not lay down a bunt here or there? Then the next single would get an RBI.

Trade

The Brewers got Scott Linebrink from the San Diego Padres for three pitching prospects, one being Will Ohman who is very good yet the Brewers have a ton of pitching in the minor leagues as it is so I am not worried about losing one of the many great pitchers we have. I think it will really assist the pen which it already has in the two games he has pitched. I want to see the Brewers go after Adam Dunn which I heard is not out of the realm. We would give up Tony Gywnn Jr. and Matt Wise for Dunn which would not be bad at all. Prince needs some better protection in the lineup with his recent struggles.

Now the Chicago Cubs have pulled within a half a game of the Brewers and lets all be glad their July is over. Yet when it comes to August, the Brewers have not had the best results. Hopefully this homestand will be the medicine they need.

Brewers Weekly

4 game set with the DBacks (3-1)

The Brewers came into Monday with a two game winning streak and ready to do some damage against the Arizona DiamondBacks. Chris Young had other ideas going yard in the first at-bat. Corey Hart and Ryan Braun responded with homers then Prince Fielder doubled in a run. The only worry of that game was Dave Bush giving up 3 homers but the fact of the matter was no one was on base which meant he was not walking a lot of batters.

Tuesday night, Claudio Vargas got into trouble early which put the Brewers in a hole in the 1st yet Tony Graffanino bailed the Crew out with a big homerun and the pitching was able to hold for a 3-2 win. I love the fact that Graffy has been hitting so well, he has been able to give some production out of 2nd base where Weeks had been awful.

Wednesday night brought Chris Capuano out of hiding and was able to get a great start out of him. He likely would not have gave up a run if it hadn't been for Kevin Mench falling in right yet made up for it with a 2 run dinger. Then Grant Balfour gave up a big fly to Mark Reynolds which I was able to let go being that it was his first appearance with the club yet I hoped it was not a sign to come. Thursday was pure dominance with Yovani being awesome, plus you know its a great day when Gabe Gross homers.

3 Game Series w/ the Giants (1-2)
Friday brought all of America's attention on the series because Barry Bonds was two homers away from breaking Hank Aaron's record. Barry did not do anything on Friday but the Brewers were not able to stop the Giants offense. Suppan looked good again but was not able to get past the 5th which is starting to get real annoying out of all the Brewers starters. Carlos Villieneuva looked unimpressive again which I guess I could of seen coming because everyone in the MLB hits the skids. Then Balfour was awful once again which added to the Giants lead although it was promising to see Manny Parra in his debut do so well.

Then on Saturday with it being a national broadcast, the Brewers bats fell asleep as Tim Linecum showed why everyone talks about how great he is. I watched most of this game and trust me he is going to be one special pitcher. The score also doesn't reflect the game, Bush was excellent despite the one bad pitch to Pedro Feliz. Chris Spurling then was horrible which I have let off on Spurling lately because he has been pitching well although I did not think it was smart of Ned to throw him into the fire coming off the bereavement list. Once again no noise from Bonds Then Sunday came Barry Zito who the Brewers roughed up earlier on in the year, were able to destroy Zito and come up with a big win. Vargas had an alright start and the pitching staff didnt come with the best stuff which made the bats even more important. Also Barry was kept on the bench in the 9th, thanks once again to Fransico Cordero.

It was an alright week and a decent homestand although I would of like to see the Brewers win another game against the Giants. The Cubs are creeping but I am sure with the Padres recent struggles that we could get the Wild Card.

Charlie.

Proof For What We Already Knew

Sorry for not being timely, I have been working a lot and have not got the opportunity to post. I will be better about it in the upcoming weeks. On to the post....

Honestly, think about watching an NBA game and have you not said to yourself, "Well the fix is in, they are screwing us out of the game." I know I said it a lot in the Eastern Conference Finals of 2003, where the Bucks got robbed by the refs who wanted Allen Iverson in the Finals. You will never change my mind about that one.

Now it was been revealed that Tim Donaghy a thirteen year NBA veteran referee had a serious gambling problem, got in very deep with the mob and bet on games which it is still not known whether he bet on his own games. Although there is plenty proof that shows that he did. The Journal had a Bucks game where they went over in points and Indiana sure as shit cover the spread with more fouls committed by the Bucks and so on. Yet that is not to say that he fixed game 3 of the Western Semi-Finals. He only made 20 calls that night which was the lowest by the three officials plus Nash was awful therefore I believe that game was not fixed. Other games during the season could definitely check out.

What does this mean for the NBA? They lose more fan support which is dwindling as it is. They could not afford something this severe at this point in time. During the Jordan years, it would of been a big deal but Jordan would of found a way to fix it. It will become even worse if more than Donaghy is in on it. Then it becomes a witch-hunt and then a lot of games will be pondered upon.

I honestly could not give you a suggestion for the what the NBA should do. The shit has hit the fan and I really see the NBA having a hard time digging themselves out of this hole. The only way is if they have a McGwire-Sosa type deal where its a huge playoff series possibly where everyone and their mother is intrigued to see what happens next. But one bad call in the game will make a couple wonder... Was it Fixed?

Charlie.

Michael Vick gets Dawged

As you most know already, Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday in the dogfighting scandal that has swept America in a few short days of this being released. When the national news is getting into it then you know its a huge deal. The reason is simple, Vick is accused of harming a "man's best friend" and when animals become involved, it's hard for people to stay quiet.

Michael Vick was never one of my favorite players ever since the debacle the Packers had in the playoffs that put Vick on the map. He got the Madden deal, he got a fat contract, he already had Nike yet it increased production in shoes. I did not care how much hype this guy got, he was not that good. He was a prototypical college quarterback, able to run the ball from the QB position but cannot throw an accurate pass to save his damn soul. He just was not that good and everyone failed to see that despite the Falcons dragging their heels in the last two years.

Vick was not perfect and not a role model for kids. He had flipped off the fans, had got herpes form some random chick (still love Ron Mexico name though), had a supposed substance in a water bottle, and did not show up to a Congressional meeting for after school programs, some role model eh? Then BOOM! Shit hit the fan when Vick was accused of running a dogfighting program and was considered a heavyweight in dogfighting all the way back in 2000 which would put him in college still, how is he getting all that money? Weird, Va. Tech.

Now just recently Nike decided to put his shoe on hold for the football season and all of the other deals he has have expired although he would be lucky to get a deal from anyone these days. PETA is pressuring the shit out of the NFL to get Vick suspended which Goodell is going to do because its only fair, Pacman was indicted yet never charged which lead to a whole year suspension. This will be the first and only time I am on PETA side.

Seriously Michael Vick, you had all the money in the world, you had a city that supported you for the most part, a lot of inner-city youth in the Deep South looked up to you, and you disappointed everyone to the fullest. You should tell the media that you are taking a year off of football because that's what a man does. Oh I forgot, your brother Marcus tried to get a 15 year old drunk and rape her,

so obviously the Vick family does not know how to act like men

Charlie.

Larry Harris' Hot Seat Just Got Warmer

According to report on Espn.com, the Chinese National Team is blocking Yi from playing with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Yi tell the national team to stop worrying about your playing time and the smaller Asian population. Trust me you will have fans no matter where you go because of your China background. Also you are going to the playing time you deserve, and if its just because you see the Bucks going nowhere then come out and say it. The Bucks can just swing a deal for Yi right now because his value is plummeting as we speak.

I don't blame Yi I blame---Larry Harris. What made you think that you could bring Yi to Milwaukee when he said over and over again that he did not want to play for the Bucks. You couldn't pull the trigger to trade him to Golden State which would of been ideal since Brenden Wright is a good player with a tremendous upside and Mickeal Pietrus who will give you better minutes than Bobby Simmons. That was a great deal and would give the Bucks some much needed help. Then he loses another one of our international players to a team in Barcelona. What is this soccer? That's not suppose to happen in the NBA. Larry Harris is an idiot and Herb Kohl needs to sell this team because they are going nowhere quick. The Bucks and their fans need fresh blood in the management department. This team reminds of the Brewers of the 90's they had some talent but just couldn't put it together.

Charlie.

Brewers Weekly

Sorry about the delay guys, I have been busy with work and have not got to opportunity to blog. Anyways here is the weekly wrap up for the Brewers.

All-Star Festivities
It was great to see Prince Fielder in the Home Run Derby and not go off like Carlos Lee did a couple of years back which lead to his second half of the year being like crap. So at least he was in and I am positive this will not be his last one. Then came to the All-Star Game which had a couple good moments but nothing special. The Brewers players did nothing note-worthy but I could care less because having 4 of the Brew Crew players brought me joy.

Weekend Series with the Rockies
Then it was back to baseball Friday night where we all hoped that Chris Capuano could rite his ship and have a spectacular second half. Wrong, he struggled with walks yet again and gave up a couple of homers as well and Carlos Villineuva looked horrible for the first time in awhile giving up 5 runs as well. Cappy just needs a dominating performance to get it all back together Saturday was looking very bad when Ben Sheets went down with an injury early in the game and the Brewers only managing a Corey Hart homer in the 6th as their only hit. Yet once again Yovani came up and had a huge game, he isn't starting because....? Then Yost wisely put in Graffy instead of Weeks with Jenkins on 3rd in the 10th and he got the game-winner. Sunday, as Brewers fan we hoped that the 40 Million Dollar Man, Jeff Suppan would put together a great start to give him a jump start on the second half. Granted he didn't figure in the decision, he still had a great game going deep into the game and pitching very well for the Brewers that afternoon. Jenkins and Mench gave the Brewers what they needed late in the game to win the game and the series over the Rockies.

Now the Cubs are hot at 9-3 (counting Monday) in July and are nipping at the Brewers' heels at 3.5 back yet I am not ready to push the panic button with Sheets on the DL. Yovani is going to give you what you need out of a starter and if Bush can keep pitching the way he is add Soup to that equation, we can win games without Ben Sheets, it has been done before.

Mo Back In Milwaukee, Mo Problems?

I know, I know cheesy Biggie Smalls line as my title bu I felt obliged to use it because it is worthy.

I think Larry Harris' ass is so warm from the hot seat that if Mo Williams struggles this year Harris will be gone. I can almost guarantee that, unless the Dairy Queen has a love affair with him as well.

Mo Williams is not the type of point guard I like, I would rather have a guy who is dishing 10 passes a game and maybe scoring 7 points yet its not needed for him to score because there are others around to do that. I do not want to rely on the guy who brings up the ball as my first/second scoring opition because I am scared he will just stop and pop a la Mr. Dom James from the Marquette Golden Eagles.

The only thing I like about Mo is he is money in the last two minutes of a ball game. He needs to keep that up because the Bucks need all the clutch shooting they can get. I just would rather had try to get a solid point guard such as Jason Williams or Mike Bibby instead of Mo Williams. Although I am glad my other favorite team the Heat didnt pick him up. I hope he can become more pass first yet I highly doubt that.

I do not feel very confident in the Bucks this year, they waste their draft pick on a guy who probably will go back to his native land or go to another team. I think Yi (which is a whole other topic) is a good player and could add alot for the Bucks so hopefully he can come to the Bucks.

Charlie.

Gary Sheffield: Driver of the Wambulance

Doesn't it seem like every two weeks Gary Sheffield is running his mouth about something that is wrong in baseball. He talked about how Hispanics "listen and do what they are told" , bashes Bobby Abreu (that one is deserving until his recent tear), and now this.

He has now accused Joe Torre of "calling out" the black players during team meetings, and other things of that nature. Also he referred to Derek Jeter not "being all black" Gary, shut up and quit your bitching. You are obviously doing this for attention to keep his name on the front page of sports websites and newspapers. I cannot stand Shef, he got pissed in Milwaukee when Moliter and Yount got all the attention and poor old Shef was not getting what he thought he deserved. Boo hoo, those guys can run laps around you Shef with all their accolades, not a problem.

I thought that Barry Bonds had a big ego but Sheffield one exceeds Baroid, he is somebody who I cannot stand. I think he has a sweet batting stance but that's about it. Its funny because I think he expected way more of a reaction then he got,

if I am the Yanks i hit Shef with the first pitch.

Charlie.

Coming to America

Lets all welcome Mr. David Beckham to the United States.

Some are probably saying that "we could give two shits about soccer and why is ESPN and other networks pounding coverage down our throats! " Well I am here to tell you today that you are wrong if you think soccer does not take much to do and I encourage you to watch a couple games with or without Beckham playing because they are damn good athletes.

I think it might be the hardest sport played, it takes somebody who can ran almost the entire field which equals to about the size of a football one for 90 minutes straight. People in football and basketball get breaks after every quarter of time, these guys only get one break. Also it takes somebody with amazing foot skills furthermore some strength is needed to be the best at the sport.

There is a part of me that hopes that Beckham will make people want to watch soccer again in the United States just like Pele did with the New York Cosmos back in the 70's. If he can light that fire, my biggest hope is that some of the greats will come over and play for the US. Which then will draw the appeal far greater than the players in MLS. There are doubters that say "Becks is washed up" I think the man still can nail a free kick better than anyone in the world and is still a great passer. I believe the Galaxy will be successful with him on it and he will end up doing very well in the US not only in soccer but marketing the sport to the rest of watching.

Good luck Becks.

Charlie.

The Rest of the MLB at the Break

As I continue to get older, I think that Major League Baseball is my favorite pro sport to watch. There are a couple things that I foresee happening in each division and I will give you my winners and who might choke down the stretch. I am not going to add trade rumors in here because they are going to change in the next couple weeks.

NL East: The Mets have hit the skids recently and have not been looking like they are living up to all the money Omar Minyana (sp) put into this team. I think that the Mets will have a big August (after getting swept by the Crew :) and will pull away from the Braves. Atlanta will not be able to capture the Wild Card and I do not think they cannot even think about moving Andruw Jones with the first half he had. Phillies might be able to give them a run but will need some help in the entire pitching staff before they can even be mentioned.

NL Central: I will come out in the first sentence, Brewers Win! It will not be easy though, the Cubs will nip at their heels and they might even nab the Wild Card eventhough it will be a long shot. I am just trying to keep our Cubs fans interested! The Cards will fall off and will not be a threat. The Pirates will need some pitching help and some big boppers to become a threat.

NL West: This is by far the best division in the NL yet it will belong to the Padres with a strong push by the Dodgers who will capture the Wild Card. The D-Backs and Rockies are not out of the question to make some noise but they will need to grow up very quick under a ton of pressure. Also Barry Bonds will hit 756 at home after visiting Milwaukee where he sits out every game to wait to break in San Fran.

AL East: This will be the Red Sox division no doubt about it. If Schilling is out for the year or for most of the second half, they will find somebody to fill that void. The Yankees will battle but they will continue to not become closer than 5 back. They should fight for the Wild Card but they will come up short there as well. The rest of the division... ho hum.

AL Central: What a great race this will be. Everyone including myself is pulling for the Cleveland Indians to take this division which I think they will because they have a great starting lineup and their pitching staff is led by arguably the Cy Young of the AL. Also their pen has been solid which the Tigers have been awful since Joel Zumaya injury. The Tigers will capture the wild card.

AL West: The Angels take this division and they are going to be the best team in the AL by the end of the season. I could see Seattle making a run at the Wild Card but I think the Tigers are way too good, they will pull that one away. Don't expect Oakland to make their typical run, they do not have some of the things they use to.

So now I will give you my predictions and I promised to be as unbiased as possible

NL 1- San Diego Padres vs. NL 4- Los Angeles Dodgers SD in 4
NL 2- New York Mets vs. NL 3-Milwaukee Brewers MIL in 5

San Diego vs. Milwaukee SD in 6

AL 1- Los Angeles Angels vs. NL 4- Detroit Tigers LAA in 5
AL 2- Boston Red Sox vs. NL 3 Cleveland Indians BOS in 4

Los Angeles vs. Boston BOS in 7

San Diego vs. Boston SD in 6- The Padres will win it because of the amazing pitcher they have and that is what matters in the playoffs.

Brewers at the Break

Wow, what a year it has already been for the Milwaukee Brewers. Came into the season with rather high expectations for the first time in years and they lived up to it with a huge start. Then came a large slump that they stayed in for most of May. But if I had to sum up the first half of the Brewer season, it would be a feel-good rollercoaster. It has sometimes felt like I was going to be sick with disappointed a la Justin Verlander's no hitter then it felt like I was going to collapse in a coma of joy such as the huge 5-4 win against the Cubs early on in the season.

Things that need to happen for the Brewers to be a playoff team

• Get rid of either Kevin Mench or Gabe Gross, preferably Gross but there is no need for both of them on this squad. They have a lot outfielders as it is without Bill Hall and Geoff Jenkins can hit lefties, he is never given the chance.
• Consistent pitching please. I think that is one of the most important things for the second half of the season is that the starting pitchers keep the consistency. Jeff Suppan was great in the beginning of the year but has since dragged his heels with a 5.00 ERA making everyone think how much Melvin wasted his 40 million yet lets not forget Soup had a huge second half last year, so lets wait and see. Where is Cappy? That man is looking like he is a classic "lighting in a jar" Brewer. Only comes up big in one year. Dave Bush has really got his shit together in the last couple of weeks which is making me very happy. Claudio Vargas has given the Brewers some great starts but needs to go way deeper in games. If it doesn't happen in the next couple weeks, then Vovani is the easy answer to our problems.
• Ben Sheets and Coco continue to lead this staff- Both of them have been very bright spots to the Crew and they need to have a great second half to really put a stamp on things. Showing teams, "if you meet us in the playoffs, you got to see Sheets once maybe twice" and "if you trail, then expect Coco in the 9th, tell the heart of the order to bring it."
• Don't Rely on the Longball: Too many of the Brewers are trying to make a difference by hitting the big homers when I would rather see Prince Fielder hit a double then Jenks driving him in with another double then pushed to third then a sac fly brings him. Those 2 runs are much refreshing for me then seeing a two run homer.
• Ryan Braun Bounce Back from your First Slump: It will happen as much as I like to think it will not, the guy I called "The Messiah" from day one and wish everyone at Tosa West a happy "Ryan Braun Day" the day he was called up will hit the skids. When it does happens, hopefully he will just come back better than ever, then that's really scary.
• Take Advantage Anytime the Cubs Lose- Enough said.

You will see what I like to call "Brewer Weekly" which means that I will wrap up whatever is going on with the Brewers that week. For example on this Sunday night or early Monday, I will talk about the All-Star festivities and the Rockies Series.

Charlie.

Welcome All

Hello everyone who probably does not read this blog but I hope that in the next coming years that most will read this. I started over because I think that my other one wasn't that great and I am going to try very hard to keep my grammar skills to a "college level". You will see a lot of sports being talked about and many random things being discussed. I just ask that you be respectful in what you say and if not, well do not read it then.

Please enjoy and I am going to start plugging away on many topics in different sports.

Charlie