The Crew is really clicking now after sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the middle series of a nine game homestand. Milwaukee has won four in a row, 7 of 10, 23 0f 35 at home and has the best record in the National League since May 20 (following three losses in Boston).

In a remarkable twist, every team in the NL Central has lost 3 in a row (including the front running Cubs), except the Brewers, who have won four straight. Thus, an extraordinary climb in the standings as the Crew has picked up three games in the last three days.

The Brewers open a three game series tonight with Baltimore trailing the Cubs by 5.5 games in the Central Division standings.

Meanwhile, the Orioles have won three in a row as well, having swept the Astros at Camden Yards with a win Thursday.

These two teams haven’t played in Milwaukee since September of 1997. Baltimore has won four of its last five games against Milwaukee. The clubs have not met since the 2003 season.

The Orioles are 11-6 (.647) so far in June, which is tied for the fourth-best record in the majors this month.

The Brewers have the second-best record in the majors this month (11-5, .688).

After losing their first five interleague games this season, the Brew Crew has now won four in a row, outscoring its A.L. opponents 24-13 during this streak.

In seven appearances on the road, Friday’s starter Radhames Liz is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA, walking 14 in just 20.0 innings.

O’s 2B Brian Roberts has had a hit in 15 of his last 16 games, batting .348 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBI over this stretch.

Jeff Suppan is 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six home starts this season. Dating back to last September, he has won his last six decisions in home games.

Russell Branyan has hit 10 home runs in his first 20 games (61 AB) this season. That is the fewest games it has ever taken a Brewers’ player to hit 10 homers (previous mark – 25 games by Carlos Lee (2006) and Rob Deer (1987)). Branyan has hit homers in three straight and in four of his last five games.

Hope to see you at the ballpark and remember Vote Brewers!

-BA

The American League skunk is finally out of the box after the Brewers 4-2 victory over the Twins on Sunday snapped a six-game Milwaukee losing streak against the AL that stretched to last June.

The Crew was literally an inch away from winning 2 of 3 from the Twins after Prince Fielder’s walk off homerun turned into a keep playing triple Saturday night. It was one of the most entertaining games of the year outside the cruel ending. Credit the players for dusting themselves off and salvaging the finale.

Now, Milwaukee welcomes the Toronto Blue Jays for the middle leg of this 3-team, 9-game homestand.

These teams have met just once since the Brewers moved to the National League in 1998, with the Brewers coming away with two wins in three games against the Blue Jays in June 2005. The Brewers lead the all-time series, 155-115.

After losing 10 of their last 14 games, the Blue Jays are below .500 for the first time since May 22.

David Eckstein has hit in 13 of 15 games since coming off the disabled list May 27, batting .365 over that span. He’s raised his overall average from .246 to .282 during the spurt.

Between Russell Branyan and Bill Hall, Brewers third basemen have hit 15 home runs, tying for the most in the major leagues.

Tuesday’s Starters:

Dustin McGowan is 3-0 with a 3.29 ERA in his last four starts. He’s fanned 25 hitters while issuing just five walks over that span.

While Manny Parra has compiled a 7.24 ERA and .369 average allowed in road games this season, he’s 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA and .234 average allowed at home.

All games with the Blue Jays will be on FSN Wisconsin with Brewers Live beginning at 6:30pm each night.

Have a great week!

-BA

As for the Twins series, some numbers:

The Twins dropped to 1-6 on the current road trip and seven of their last eight games, giving up double digits in runs in four of the contests (an average of 7.6 runs per game overall in this span).

Beginning play Friday, there are six teams above .500 in the American League and six teams in the National League. Three of the six in the NL reside in the NL Central (Cubs, Cards, Brewers).

The Twins have had two managers since 1986 when Tom Kelly took over for Ray Miller (Tom Kelly, Ron Gardenhire). The Brewers have had seven in that time.

Minnesota is 25-21 versus Milwaukee in Interleague play. At Miller Park, the Twins have won 11 of 21 contests between the teams.

The Brewers have won six straight home games and are 11-3 in their last 14 home contests. Their six straight home wins is the second-longest active streak in the National League (Cubs, 11).

Twins’ pitchers have walked 172 batters in 2008, the fewest total in the Major Leagues. The last time Minnesota issued the fewest walks in a season was 1981.

Corey Hart is riding a seven-game hitting streak. During the streak, Hart is hitting .400 (12-for-30) with four home runs, 11 RBIs and four doubles.

Well, if you’re only going to win one game in a series, win the last one. It makes travel and an off day much more enjoyable. The Brewers dropped 2 of 3 in Denver, losing a series for the first time since being swept by Boston. The Crew begins a three game series versus the Astros Tuesday before returning home for another nine game homestand. It’s “go” time. This series marks the third with Houston in a five week span. The two teams have swapped sweeps and the Brewers hope the pattern doesn’t continue. Houston dropped 2 of 3 to St. Louis over the weekend and have lost 9 of 11. Cecil Cooper has concerns about his offense and his bullpen’s workload as the Astros have yet to post a complete game.

 As for the Brewers, Rickie Weeks is on the disabled list until June 22nd with a sore left knee. Ned Yost has some tough decisions to make concerning the top of the order as he searches for the right combination to set up Braun and Fielder. With Weeks out for two weeks, Hernan Iribarren was recalled from Triple-A Nashville. He’s an excellent defender and a good left handed hitter. As a side note, Hernan told me the Sounds are making quite a rally up the standings after a sluggish start. He also added that Derrick Turnbow and Jeff Weaver have both pitched well lately. The Brewers have to make a promotion/release decision on Jeff Weaver by June 15 (unless Weaver extends the deadline).

With 99 games to make up 6.5 in the standings, here are some nuggets for the Astros series:
 

The Brewers are 17-13 against its Central Division foes in 2008–best of any team in the division.

Russell Branyan is 8-for-22 (.364) in his last eight games–of those eight hits, five have been home runs.

Houston is 29-2 (.935) when tied or leading after eight innings this season–best in MLB.

Brewers at Astros, Last 12 Games (since 2007)
                     Brewers              Astros
Wins                    6                     6
ERA            4.06 (49/108.2)   4.26 (54/114.0)
– Starters    4.90 (35/64.1)     4.84 (36/67.0)
Walks                  40                   49
Strikeouts            84                   99

Milwaukee Brewers Pitching, Since May 26 (w/ MLB Ranks)
Record       10-3 (.769)    (3rd Best)
ERA          2.69 (35/117.0)  (2nd Lowest)
Opp BA     .223 (96/430)   (3rd Lowest)
Pitches/G   137.7 (1790/13)  (2nd Fewest)

Ryan Braun, March/April vs. May/June, 2008
                      First 26 Gms      Last 36 Gms
                     (Thru 04/30/08)   (05/01/08 & Since)
Batting Average        .273              .308  (45/146)
On-Base Pct.            .296              .348  (54/155)
Slugging Pct.            .436              .664  (97/146)
Home Runs                   3                13
AB per HR                36.7              11.2  (13/146)

Prince Fielder in June, Career
          AVG  OBP SLG
2006   .208  .280  .479
2007   .258  .377  .581
2008   .333  .448  .625

With a sweep of the Astros, the Brewers are now 5-1 on the homestand and hoping to continue their winning ways versus the Western Division leading Arizona Diamondbacks. This series will feature some of the brightest young talent in baseball. The D-Backs are coming off back to back shoutout wins against the Nationals and seemed to have weathered their first slump of the season. The Brewers will miss Brandon Webb and Dan Haren in this series but Arizona is as deep as any in baseball on the mound and will send out Doug Davis, Randy Johnson, and Micah Owings in the three game set.

We’re tight with the crew from FSN Arizona. It’s always great to catch up with old friends. King Buckethead Daron Sutton returns to Milwaukee and former Brewers TV director Mitch Riggin now cuts cameras for the D-Backs. Our Producer, John Walsh, spent a number of years covering the Diamondbacks for FSN Arizona. We’ve got a big golf match with those guys this week that includes many of our heavy hitting camera operators. Brewers TV crew versus D-Backs TV crew at Bristlecone Pines . It always amazes me how guys with tan legs, white feet, and Arizona zip codes play the “I haven’t been playing much golf” card. Whatever.  

At any rate, here are some series odds and ends for you:

– Milwaukee has won 7 of the 10 meetings between the teams at Miller Park since 2005.

– The Brewers are 6-1 since returning to the more conventional lineup with the pitcher batting ninth.

– Prince Fielder has hit 8 homeruns this year…7 have been with 2 strikes.

 – Perhaps Prince is getting hot at the right time…
  Fielder’s Highest BA vs. Opponent – Career (minimum 50 PA)

vs. D-backs           .358 (19/53)
vs. Nationals         .340 (18/53)
vs. Dodgers           .333 (17/51)
vs. Mets                .322 (19/59)
vs. Pirates             .302 (39/129)

– Lowest ERA at Miller Park, All-time (minimum 10 GS)

Jeff Suppan          2.83
Doug Davis          3.40
Ben Sheets         3.52
Carlos Villanueva  3.69
Dave Bush           3.83

– Monday’s starter, Jeff Suppan, has been one of baseball’s best pitchers at home so far this season. His ERA at Miller Park is 0.93 (3 ER/29 innings)

– With back to back sellouts versus the Astros, fans have sold out Miller Park nine times already this year. Way to go!

Have a great week.

BA
 

Winning two of three from the red-hot Braves was a good start to the homestand. Next up, “Big Puma” Lance Berkman and the Houston Astros for a three game series this weekend. We’re expecting huge crowds so if you’re interested in joining us at Miller Park, get your tickets quickly!

The Brewers have won 5 of the last 7 games at Miller Park.

They’ve also won 6 of the last 10 overall.

The Astros make thier first appearance in Milwaukee this year. The Crew hopes to return the favor after being swept in Houston earlier this season. The Crew has won 8 of the last 10 games versus the Astros at Miller Park.

The Houston Astros are 14-9 since they last played the Brewers May 4. 

The ‘Stros like to run so Jason Kendall will be tested this weekend. Houston has stolen 61 bases coming into today, which leads all of baseball. Kendall has thrown out 13 baserunners this year for a 39% caught stealing rate. He threw out 13 baserunners all of last year. 

MLB rank for most wins in the last at-bat – 2008

Milwaukee Brewers           12
Houston Astros                  9
Los Angeles Dodgers         9
Pittsburgh Pirates              9

How good has Ryan Braun been as a big leaguer? Only 3 players have posted 40+ HR, 100+ RBI, .300+ BA since May 25, 2007 (Braun’s MLB debut)
                                    HR    RBI     BA
Ryan Braun, Mil             47    134   .311
Lance Berkman, Hou     46    126   .318
Alex Rodriguez, NYY      43    130   .308

Vote Brewers! As we mentioned on the air recently, Bill Schroeder and I will take you to lunch at Friday’s Front Row Grill if you turn in the most All-Star ballots in one stop at the Polling Station at Miller Park. Legal-ese version: Commencing on May 30, 2008 and ending on June 4, 2008, participants may enter the sweepstakes by obtaining and returning to the Brewers Polling Station (first base line of Field Level concourse) as many completed All Star Ballots as possible in a single (1) trip.  All Star Voting Ballots are available in various locations free of charge. No purchase necessary to participate or to win. See Official Rules for alternative entry mechanism. All valid participants must provide MBBC with all requested/required information. By entering the contest, participant agrees to be bound by and to adhere to the official rules.

Have a great weekend.

-BA

I
t’s great to be home and the Brewers are looking forward to a nine game homestand at Miller Park. I know the players are anxious to finally see some friendly faces and hear the home fans actually rooting FOR them. The players are sensing an opportunity this week to get back to winning against some good teams. Through the first 51 games, I’d say the biggest issue is confidence, not talent. That’s actually a good sign. This ballclub is centered around youth. Sometimes young players wonder “if” too much. Ned and the coaches are doing more couch- work than coach-work at this point. Hitters are feeling the burden to score, pitchers are feeling the burden to stop the scoring and the defense, although improved, has been suspect at times. So light a candle, breath through your eyelids and bring some of that Zen-Voodoo-Stuart Smalley-positive energy with you to Miller Park and see if you can help turn the tide as we hit June…two months down, five to go, right?

Here’s a preview of the Braves series by the numbers:

– Atlanta won five of seven games versus the Brewers last season, including two out of three in Milwaukee.

– Atlanta just finished their 11-game homestand with an 8-3 record, and are 22-7 in home games this year (6-16 on the road).

– With Monday’s 4-3 win over the Nationals, the Crew has now won 10 games in their final at bat this season, best in the NL.

– Dave Bush is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA in three home starts this year, versus 0-4 with a 7.67 ERA in six road games.

– Over his last five starts, Tim Hudson is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA, and has held opponents to a .184 batting average.

– Atlanta is the only team in the majors with four players who have at least 30 RBI (Chipper Jones, 35; Jeff Francoeur, 32; Brian McCann, 32; and Mark Teixeira, 31).

– The Brewers are averaging 5.62 runs/game at home, 6th best in the Majors…3.77 runs/game on the road, 21st in MLB

– Ryan Braun just accomplished his one year anniversary in the Majors. Since that time, among all MLB hitters, Braun ranks 2nd in homers (47), 2nd RBI (134), 1st in Total Bases (403) and 3rd in Slugging % (.610).

Make it a great week!

BA

Well, it’s been a struggle for the Crew this week. The schedule has not been kind and the theme in the Brewers clubhouse is “weather the storm.”  They say, “talent prevails” so let’s hope the significant talent on this team will start prevailing soon. Hang in there, fans. Better days are coming.

This month’s entry on the House of Blogs is courtesy of FSN Wisconsin reporter Trenni Kusnierek.

-BA

In an odd twist of scheduling, the Brewers have been on the road far more often than Miller Park during the first month of the season.  To be exact, when the team returns home on Friday, May 9th they will have played just 13 games in Milwaukee as opposed to 21 away from the city.  From a baseball standpoint, the team has fared pretty well.  Through the Sunday game against Houston, the Crew has nine wins and nine losses on the road.  They have managed to overcome rain delays and steady showers along with freezing temps and unbearable humidity.  Off the field, I’m not sure how well any of us are managing the long stretches away from family and friends.

One would be hard pressed to find any individual–be it a player, manager, coach, or member of the media– who would openly complain about working in the big leagues.  The ball parks are beautiful, the cities have plenty to offer, and at the end of the day we are all playing a game.  But all of those positives can’t make up for the fact that every week or so your life is disrupted and wives (and in some cases husbands), kids, friends, and family are left behind.

I think what often gets lost behind the box score, is that the players wearing a uniform are real people.  The guys have bills to pay and kids to tuck into bed.  On post games bus rides there is often a steady murmur of the quiet “I love you” or “be good for mommy”.  There are shopping bags being lugged around with American Girl dolls and sweet smelling leather baseball gloves.  And thanks to technology fatherly advice is even passed along via a webcam.

One of the most common inquiries I receive as a member of the traveling party is, “what is it like on the road?”  Well, it’s long and at times arduous.  There is no good way to pack for a ten day, three city trip where the temperatures will range from 35 to 85 degrees.  We leave for our destinations about an hour following the series finale, even if that means boarding a plane close to midnight after a long night game.  We do get to travel by chartered plane which is a nice perk.  It takes away long security lines and having to buy fast food at the airport.  Oh, and there is no worry about a getting a bad middle seat!  I wish I could offer interesting, insider information, but not many shenanigans taking place away from home.  Plane rides are filled with reading, movies, and sleeping and once we’re at the hotel it’s more movies, sleeping, and shopping.

The one positive about being gone for long stretches of time, it forces everyone to be together.  You often see players car pooling to the park or grabbing a bite to eat.  For those of us in the booth, we go for long runs and walks which allows us to get to know each other outside of work.  Also, Brian and Bill know all the good restaurants, so when we break bread, it’s really good bread!  The time together helps everyone become a better team–on and off the field.

With that said, it will be nice to finally come home at the end of the week.  We look forward to seeing you at Miller Park!

-Trenni

Opening Week is history and the Brewers capped it off with a bang. A Ben Sheets complete game shutout (the first since his rookie year in May of 2001) and a 5-1 start. It was great to see the record crowds, the most to see a series home opener in Miller Park’s existence.

Allow me to answer some questions:

So, the family and I were delighted to hear that one of our favorite Brewers of all time, Mr. Jeff Cirillo, will be joining your broadcast team! In what capacity will he be joining you guys? -Meagan in Lake Country

Jeff Cirillo will be joining our FSN Wisconsin team Friday, April 18th in Cincy. Following that series, he’ll be the “road” version of Davey Nelson, acting as the “Brewers Live” studio analyst (with Jeff Grayson) for all Brewers away games. He’ll be a great addition and we are as excited as the fans to have him on board.

Why did you jinx Parra’s no hitter by announcing that Parra has “5 no-hit innings” against the Giants? -Gregg in ‘Tosa

Sorry about that. It’s got to be done though. Believe me, I’m
as superstitious as it gets – I grew up in a baseball dugout – so it’s pains me to mention a no-hitter. But the announcer has an obligation to present the facts and build the story. I’m more concerned about those in the audience who leave the game because they’re not aware of what’s going on than I am about imposing my mystical powers on the pitcher. The casual viewer needs to hear there is something special so he can sit down and lock in. I’ve had this conversation with Vin Scully, Ernie Harwell and Bob Uecker among others…all say you have to mention the no-hitter.

Is it hard to talk with a producer talking in your ear constantly?  -Mike in River Hills

It takes some getting used to when you first start out but eventually it becomes second nature. You get used to hearing certain cues, like counting down to break and what the next element will be. You have to listen, while not listening if that makes sense. My wife says I mastered that skill at home long before I was on TV! 

Since Milwaukee is considered a small market team, what do you think the chances are we will lose our stars like Braun or Fielder to free agency after putting up big numbers here in Milwaukee? -JT in Green Bay

Way to kill the buzz, JT! No, that’s probably the most oft-asked question these days. Small market or not, the Brewers can contend for a championship for a long time and they own the rights to those players for a long time (Fielder through 2011, Braun through 2013). Brewer fans, even though it’s habit, you don’t have to spend any more energy wondering about the future. The future is now…enjoy it. The landscape of baseball economics is changing quickly so put your fears in the worry box and don’t open for four years.

What is your advice for aspiring broadcasters? –Glen in Wausau

First, find a place to be bad on the air so you can listen to your call without pressure…that’ll help you get better quicker. Second, make sure you find a second means of income while you’re pursuing your broadcasting goals. Otherwise, you’ll starve to death. I worked at a golf course and was a cameraman for Spurs JumboTron while I did minor league baseball. Third, stay humble and don’t own it. If you stink, don’t own it, your broadcasting is NOT who you are. Treat it like a golf swing and fix your flaws. If you end up great, don’t own it, your success is still NOT who you are! There are plenty of great broadcasters who are arrogant, self-serving people already…don’t become another one.

Thanks for checking in and here’s hoping week two is as good as week one! 

-BA 

Sunday afternoon, we boarded a bus en route to Wrigley Field. It’s less than two hours door to door but there is something cool about seeing big leaguers line up to get on a bus like a bunch of kids headed to school. I thought about how much financial power is sitting here all trapped in a tube headed down I-94 to Chicago.

I wondered how the motorists would react if they knew that behind these tinted windows of the bus they just passed contained a Major League Baseball team. All Stars, Cy Young Award winners, Home Run champs, Rookie’s of the Year, Post Season MVP’s, and a Hall of Fame broadcaster.

Then I thought about the one connection all of these players have with each other. It’s not just the money, the fame, or the adoration. It’s the common thread that has existed with every one of them since they entered professional baseball. Time on the bus…traveling to a ballgame. No towncars, no stretch limo’s. Just a big bus (with TV monitors and a bathroom).  

Today, it’s Wrigley Field. In the past, it might’ve been Brevard County, Florida, or Round Rock, Texas, or Nashville, Tennessee, or Santiago, Dominican Republic or Tokyo, Japan. Collectively, they’ve spent nearly as much time on the bus than on the field. Before they were Major Leaguers, they were on the bus, cruising down thousands of roads, to thousands of towns and thousands of ballparks. Before they got here, they all spent time (some longer than others) in the Minors perfecting their God-given talent out of the spotlight, away from the hoopla and anonymous to most.

Now, the stakes are raised on their rare skills. They play with the burden of a franchise, a city, their own families, mortgages, agents, businesses, and foundations. They’ve made their baseball dreams come true just by being in the Major Leagues. Monday, they will be on a big stage. Today, they’re just sitting on the bus simply as ballplayers, traveling to another park, in another town, to play another game…even though they know it’s more than that.

I never get tired of watching this great game being played at the highest level. Sitting on this bus, I’m in awe of the talent around me and what it takes to make it this far. I remember spending most of my Minor League broadcasting days hoping to get OFF the bus. I realize now, that it never really happens if you’re lucky enough to live the baseball life

Baseball is back…enjoy the ride!

BA