Just when you think you can write something positive about the Milwaukee Brewers, they come back and get swept by the Atlanta Braves. Not to mention, Ryan Braun got hurt in game one but that still doesn’t excuse the fact the pitching staff decided to lay a stink bomb in the form of Manny Parra and Carlos Villanueva. I cannot understand how the pitching staff could give up five or more runs in three straight games to a team who is 14th in batting and an awful road team. As I did with Marquette in the middle of the season, I cannot put too much stock in the Brewers because they always seem to let me down.
Can someone give me another reason to go Miller Park other than enjoying a tailgate and a couple beers? I mean the Crew right now are the worst team at home so far this season. They have played good teams at home but still that doesn't excuse putting a bad performance at home. If you are still reading, my title can be explain perfectly from my recent watching stint of the Sopranos... When the Crew is with their mistress (on the road) they play pretty well and seem to loose out there. But when they are back with their wife (the fans) the team looks tired, disinterested, and have no desire to be there. In addition, this is the same thing that happened with Tony Soprano when he is with his Russian mistress he doesn't have a care in the world and then at home he just seems pissed all the time ready to whack somebody on sight.
Also I am starting to lose faith in Ken Macha. I am not saying I am ready to call for his head but some decisions he has made in the past couple of days makes it appear that Macha might pulling a Griffey Jr. and sleeping in the clubhouse between innings. I already discussed the decision to bring in Parra on Monday, and then on Wednesday, the Brewers had a big inning started in the six inning, already run in (2-1 ATL) and runners on first and second. Prince Fielder flies out again which has become natural occurrence for the big fella, then Casey McGehee comes out who is the hottest Brewer right now comes to plate....
In what way would it be a good idea to steal Jody Gerut to third? I could understand maybe if Gregg Zaun/Corey Hart/Alcides Escobar, but McGehee?! This guy has hit everything in sight in the past week and is really hitting the ball. After sending Gerut who is called out, the Brewers had two outs and wouldn't you know McGehee drives in the lone run on the base with a deep double. I understand Macha trying to create offense but it makes no sense when the middle of the order is up to the plate.
My confidence level for the Brewers against the Phillies this weekend: 3. The Phils always have our number and seem to dominate us every time they play the Crew. I expect 1-2 or even a sweep leaving them with a pathetic home stand. I wish I had listened to the anonymous commenter who told me the Brewers finish no better than fourth, I had too much faith and now I have none.
-Charlie.
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Showing posts with label Atlanta Braves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlanta Braves. Show all posts
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
NL East Preview
We are moving on to the National League and unlike the American League where I think 10 teams could legitimately make the playoffs, I believe only about six teams maybe could make the playoffs in the NL.
1. Philadelphia Phillies- KEY ACQ: SP Roy Halladay I LIKE: Jayson Werth-He basically is everything that I want Corey Hart to be, I absolutely love him as a player and the first year I haven't had him in fantasy baseball. I HATE: Raul Ibanez- He just keeps getting older so I cannot imagine him pulling out another huge year like last year. PREDICTION: I think they have the ability to get to the World Series but I believe Cole Hamels has to be in 2008 form to get there because not just Halladay will carry them there.
2. Atlanta Braves- KEY ACQ: 1B Troy Glaus RP Billy Wagner I LIKE: Jason Heyward- LOVE him seriously, probably the biggest man crush of the spring. I agree with people who say the hype is comparable to Ken Griffey Jr. I am willing to bet he hits as high as five in the order come June. I HATE: Nate McClouth- He is a good player but I am not sure that he will be an ideal leadoff hitter for the Braves. I could see him contributing better as a two or seven hitter. PREDICTION: It's very likely that Atlanta could get back to the playoffs, but I am not sure that Billy Wagner will be a great option plus Derek Lowe doesn't excite me that much.
3. Florida Marlins- KEY ACQ: SP Nate Robertson I LIKE: Cameron Maybin- He was one of the top prospects a couple years ago and I believe that he could be ready to take it big time. I HATE: Josh Johnson- He is a great pitcher but he has shown some health issues in the past, never a good sign. PREDICTION: Does it bother the 82 Marlins fans that Joe Girardi was once their manager, and now a World Series winner? Tough, the Fish might be able to get into the Wild Card discussion if their pitching holds up and everybody is real excited about Ricky Nolasco's season.
4. New York Mets- KEY ACQ: OF Jason Bay, C Rod Barajas I LIKE: David Wright- I know you shouldn't look into how players do in the spring, but Wright has had one of the best springs so far therefore it's hard not to notice what he is doing. I HATE: Oliver Perez- He hasn't looked the greatest this year and I have never been a big fan of Perez, the only team he seems to do well against the Brewers. PREDICTION: Jerry Manuel will be out before July and Omar Minaya by the end of the year. The Mets do not have enough pitching to carry them in a brutal NL East.
5. Washington Nationals- KEY ACQ: C Ivan Rodriguez, RP Matt Capps, SP Jason Marquis, 2B Adam Kennedy I LIKE: Ian Desmond- A prospect who got the starting nod over long time shortstop Cristian Guzman, which to me show signs of a bright future. I HATE: Livan Hernandez- Seriously how old is this guy? You cannot keep thinking that he will be able to win 10+ games and be alright. PREDICTION: The Nationals will take some bumps but they will be a better team this year plus the city will be alive once Stephen Strasburg makes it to the majors.
-Charlie.
1. Philadelphia Phillies- KEY ACQ: SP Roy Halladay I LIKE: Jayson Werth-He basically is everything that I want Corey Hart to be, I absolutely love him as a player and the first year I haven't had him in fantasy baseball. I HATE: Raul Ibanez- He just keeps getting older so I cannot imagine him pulling out another huge year like last year. PREDICTION: I think they have the ability to get to the World Series but I believe Cole Hamels has to be in 2008 form to get there because not just Halladay will carry them there.
2. Atlanta Braves- KEY ACQ: 1B Troy Glaus RP Billy Wagner I LIKE: Jason Heyward- LOVE him seriously, probably the biggest man crush of the spring. I agree with people who say the hype is comparable to Ken Griffey Jr. I am willing to bet he hits as high as five in the order come June. I HATE: Nate McClouth- He is a good player but I am not sure that he will be an ideal leadoff hitter for the Braves. I could see him contributing better as a two or seven hitter. PREDICTION: It's very likely that Atlanta could get back to the playoffs, but I am not sure that Billy Wagner will be a great option plus Derek Lowe doesn't excite me that much.
3. Florida Marlins- KEY ACQ: SP Nate Robertson I LIKE: Cameron Maybin- He was one of the top prospects a couple years ago and I believe that he could be ready to take it big time. I HATE: Josh Johnson- He is a great pitcher but he has shown some health issues in the past, never a good sign. PREDICTION: Does it bother the 82 Marlins fans that Joe Girardi was once their manager, and now a World Series winner? Tough, the Fish might be able to get into the Wild Card discussion if their pitching holds up and everybody is real excited about Ricky Nolasco's season.
4. New York Mets- KEY ACQ: OF Jason Bay, C Rod Barajas I LIKE: David Wright- I know you shouldn't look into how players do in the spring, but Wright has had one of the best springs so far therefore it's hard not to notice what he is doing. I HATE: Oliver Perez- He hasn't looked the greatest this year and I have never been a big fan of Perez, the only team he seems to do well against the Brewers. PREDICTION: Jerry Manuel will be out before July and Omar Minaya by the end of the year. The Mets do not have enough pitching to carry them in a brutal NL East.
5. Washington Nationals- KEY ACQ: C Ivan Rodriguez, RP Matt Capps, SP Jason Marquis, 2B Adam Kennedy I LIKE: Ian Desmond- A prospect who got the starting nod over long time shortstop Cristian Guzman, which to me show signs of a bright future. I HATE: Livan Hernandez- Seriously how old is this guy? You cannot keep thinking that he will be able to win 10+ games and be alright. PREDICTION: The Nationals will take some bumps but they will be a better team this year plus the city will be alive once Stephen Strasburg makes it to the majors.
-Charlie.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Yanks Partyin' Like It's 2004
There are many that are praising the New York Yankees for getting back Javier Vasquez from the Atlanta Braves for Melky Cabrera with a bunch of other pieces in that as well. I personally hate this trade for the Yankees because this is the guy that shit the bed in game seven of the ALCS in 2004 when the Yankees collapsed after being up three games to zero.
I understand that the Yankees needed to strengthen their pitching staff in general after the Boston Red Sox brought in John Lackey and the media began to get into General Manager Brian Cashman's head that he needed to make a move. When really I doubt that Dice-K will be a better option than Joba Chamberlain. Even Joba wins over Tim Wakefield, I mean there is no reason why the Yankees needed to send Melky Cabrera to Atlanta. I could see if the Yanks weren't finding production in the first half of the season in their fourth and fifth pitchers then making a deal to get a guy like Vasquez.
To the stat nerds, I understand that Vasquez is the only pitcher in this decade to have ten wins every year and 150 strikeouts. I also know that he eats innings and one of the guy on ESPN tells me that this will help C.C. Sabathia in the long haul. This is my response... Vasquez postseason record: 0-1 10.50 ERA. Any Yankee fan in their right mind knows that the postseason matters more than anything else in that town. I am telling you that Vasquez is a complete choke in the postseason.
Also can we say that Javier might be a cancer? He has been traded to six different teams since 2003. Either he is a very expendable opition to a lot of teams who have him or that he really doesn't provide much in the clubhouse. That is the only way I can explain why Vasquez is a cancer.
One thing I like about this trade is how Atlanta reels in Melky Cabrera. He is only 24, he hit over .275 and thirteen homers is not as good as you would probably want it for a corner outfielder. Still these aren't bad numbers for a six hitter and I think going to the AL to NL for hitters can help out guys see Matt Holiday, perfect example. He will be an All-Star in Hotlanta in three years.
-Charlie.
I understand that the Yankees needed to strengthen their pitching staff in general after the Boston Red Sox brought in John Lackey and the media began to get into General Manager Brian Cashman's head that he needed to make a move. When really I doubt that Dice-K will be a better option than Joba Chamberlain. Even Joba wins over Tim Wakefield, I mean there is no reason why the Yankees needed to send Melky Cabrera to Atlanta. I could see if the Yanks weren't finding production in the first half of the season in their fourth and fifth pitchers then making a deal to get a guy like Vasquez.
To the stat nerds, I understand that Vasquez is the only pitcher in this decade to have ten wins every year and 150 strikeouts. I also know that he eats innings and one of the guy on ESPN tells me that this will help C.C. Sabathia in the long haul. This is my response... Vasquez postseason record: 0-1 10.50 ERA. Any Yankee fan in their right mind knows that the postseason matters more than anything else in that town. I am telling you that Vasquez is a complete choke in the postseason.
Also can we say that Javier might be a cancer? He has been traded to six different teams since 2003. Either he is a very expendable opition to a lot of teams who have him or that he really doesn't provide much in the clubhouse. That is the only way I can explain why Vasquez is a cancer.
One thing I like about this trade is how Atlanta reels in Melky Cabrera. He is only 24, he hit over .275 and thirteen homers is not as good as you would probably want it for a corner outfielder. Still these aren't bad numbers for a six hitter and I think going to the AL to NL for hitters can help out guys see Matt Holiday, perfect example. He will be an All-Star in Hotlanta in three years.
-Charlie.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Bobby Cox: A Firey Class Act
I apologize for the lack of posting in the month of September but school has started plus a mild obsession with Dexter has led me to not post as much as I probably should. Maybe its better because you are getting my best work. Anyways, it will be a busy October with Brewer grades plus an overall thoughts on the season. Add that along with all the football stuff plus postseason baseball.
Lets talk some baseball to start off the day with the announced retirement of Bobby Cox in 2010 from the Atlanta Braves. This is a major loss for baseball and the Atlanta Braves franchise. He was a class act and he vaulted the Braves into one of the well-known MLB franchises throughout the 90s and early 00s. The one that I loved Cox's passion that he brought to game where honestly you could be hungover and still play like a champ (I believe many guys do but thats just me). I loved the fact Cox got ejected 100+ times and I always enjoyed see him get tossed.
There were so many players that made a name for themselves under Cox like Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, David Justice, Chipper Jones, Fred McGriff, and Jermanie Dye. There are many others that I could name too but Cox was a complete difference maker in many careers.
Many people could criticize Cox for the fact he could only get his team to the playoffs and not close. I think that is unwarranted because the New York Yankees and the rest of the American League at that time (still today) was dominant. In addition, you look at the Cleveland Indian team they played in 95 was a no-doubt about it one of the best teams to not win a World Series.
-Charlie.
Lets talk some baseball to start off the day with the announced retirement of Bobby Cox in 2010 from the Atlanta Braves. This is a major loss for baseball and the Atlanta Braves franchise. He was a class act and he vaulted the Braves into one of the well-known MLB franchises throughout the 90s and early 00s. The one that I loved Cox's passion that he brought to game where honestly you could be hungover and still play like a champ (I believe many guys do but thats just me). I loved the fact Cox got ejected 100+ times and I always enjoyed see him get tossed.
There were so many players that made a name for themselves under Cox like Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, David Justice, Chipper Jones, Fred McGriff, and Jermanie Dye. There are many others that I could name too but Cox was a complete difference maker in many careers.
Many people could criticize Cox for the fact he could only get his team to the playoffs and not close. I think that is unwarranted because the New York Yankees and the rest of the American League at that time (still today) was dominant. In addition, you look at the Cleveland Indian team they played in 95 was a no-doubt about it one of the best teams to not win a World Series.
-Charlie.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tom Glavine Released by Atlanta; Next Stop Milwaukee?
The Atlanta Braves decided to let go of 300-plus winner Tom Glavine today after they acquired Nate McClouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates for three prospects (Great deal for the Braves, McClouth is a great player and will give them a ton of production in the top of the batting order). This led me to wonder if the Brewers should take a one year flyer on Glavine.
Glavine said today that "He still wants to pitch and is looking forward to pitching in 2009." The other big thing that Glavine will have something to prove the rest of the year and show the Braves what they are missing a lot like Trevor Hoffman has this year after being left to the waste side by the San Diego Padres.
The reason for my campaigning for Glavine is the struggles of Manny Parra. I dont know if the Brewers can keep letting Parra pitch through his problems. To me, it seems like he is having a lot of the same issues Dave Bush had where he couldnt pitch on the road. I think Brewers Manager Ken Macha should consider starting Seth McClung in Manny's next start which would be against the Colorado Rockies and having Parra do some work out of the bullpen. Macha has been known for doing this with his hitters all throughout the year by giving them a mental break. I agree with General Manager Doug Melvin that sending Parra down wouldnt be the answer
-Charlie.
Glavine said today that "He still wants to pitch and is looking forward to pitching in 2009." The other big thing that Glavine will have something to prove the rest of the year and show the Braves what they are missing a lot like Trevor Hoffman has this year after being left to the waste side by the San Diego Padres.
The reason for my campaigning for Glavine is the struggles of Manny Parra. I dont know if the Brewers can keep letting Parra pitch through his problems. To me, it seems like he is having a lot of the same issues Dave Bush had where he couldnt pitch on the road. I think Brewers Manager Ken Macha should consider starting Seth McClung in Manny's next start which would be against the Colorado Rockies and having Parra do some work out of the bullpen. Macha has been known for doing this with his hitters all throughout the year by giving them a mental break. I agree with General Manager Doug Melvin that sending Parra down wouldnt be the answer
-Charlie.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Braves Get Lowe
Today Derek Lowe, one of the bigger named pitcher this free agency signed with the Atlanta Braves for four years 60 million dollars which if you are not math major, that is 15 million a year.
I understand that Lowe has done very well in the last couple of years in Los Angeles and has really been their most reliable pitcher for the Dodgers although it doesnt make up for the fact that he is thirty-five years old. Lowe shouldnt get that much money for the product he puts out on the pitching mound. I mean he might have one or two more solid years then fade off into the sunset in the final two years of his contract. I dont know the specifics but I would hope for the Braves sake that the contract he signed was front-loaded.
The Braves were the only team that was crazy enough to actually give Lowe 15 million a year. Even the crazy spending Mets only offered Lowe 12.5 a year which seemed a little high but made sense for the consistency he has put out year by year. A big stat to look as well is he has had a losing season every other year since 2005 so that would mean since he had successful year last year, he could hit the skids this year. I dont know if there is any truth to that but you never know. Speaking of stats, he has over ten wins since 2002 and only year he gave up more than 20 home runs in the a season. Also he had an ERA under four since 2003 so he has proved to be consistent and create problems for many teams. I just worry he is getting very old.
This was done because Braves had to make a move. They missed out A.J. Burnett (should be happy about that though) so they had to land Derek Lowe. I dont believe that Lowe is the savior to bring the Braves back to the playoffs, I still believe they need a couple extra tools to compete with the Mets and the Phillies.
-Charlie.
I understand that Lowe has done very well in the last couple of years in Los Angeles and has really been their most reliable pitcher for the Dodgers although it doesnt make up for the fact that he is thirty-five years old. Lowe shouldnt get that much money for the product he puts out on the pitching mound. I mean he might have one or two more solid years then fade off into the sunset in the final two years of his contract. I dont know the specifics but I would hope for the Braves sake that the contract he signed was front-loaded.
The Braves were the only team that was crazy enough to actually give Lowe 15 million a year. Even the crazy spending Mets only offered Lowe 12.5 a year which seemed a little high but made sense for the consistency he has put out year by year. A big stat to look as well is he has had a losing season every other year since 2005 so that would mean since he had successful year last year, he could hit the skids this year. I dont know if there is any truth to that but you never know. Speaking of stats, he has over ten wins since 2002 and only year he gave up more than 20 home runs in the a season. Also he had an ERA under four since 2003 so he has proved to be consistent and create problems for many teams. I just worry he is getting very old.
This was done because Braves had to make a move. They missed out A.J. Burnett (should be happy about that though) so they had to land Derek Lowe. I dont believe that Lowe is the savior to bring the Braves back to the playoffs, I still believe they need a couple extra tools to compete with the Mets and the Phillies.
-Charlie.
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