While the Cubs and the Cards duke it out at Wrigley this weekend, the Brewers begin a four game homestand Friday after enjoying their first day off since the All Star break. The Crew managed to “weather the storm” during a key stretch of the schedule. Twenty days straight, 13 on the road. What a roller coaster ride. Seven straight wins on the road to start, a 1-6 homestand, then a dugout dustup and a 4-2 road trip. The Crew finished 12-8. They were five games back when the stretch started and five back when it ended.  

No team in the National League has played more games (60) or won more games (32) on the road this season than the Brew Crew. That’s an encouraging sign but only if they take care of business at home.

Now it’s the Washington Nationals at Miller Park. The Nats have a different look these days after trading Jon Rauch, and releasing Johnny Estrada, Paul LoDuca and Felipe Lopez.

Washington is playing good baseball lately. They’ve won six of seven since losing a season-high tying nine games in a row.  They are scoring six runs per game in that stretch.

Some other news and notes for the series:

In four of the past five years, the series between these teams in Milwaukee has resulted in a sweep. In 2003 and 2006, the Nationals/Expos swept the Brewers. In 2004 and 2007, the Brewers swept the Nationals/Expos.

Milwaukee went 4-2 on its recent six-game road trip, but has lost five straight at Miller Park.

The Nationals have 291 extra-base hits (193 doubles, 15 triples and 83 home runs) in 2008, the fewest in the National League.

Lastings Milledge is batting .407 (11-for-27) and slugging .926 (25/27) with four home runs, seven RBI and seven runs scored in the month of August.

Prince Fielder is riding a 10-game hitting streak. Over the streak, Fielder is batting .351 (13-for-37) and slugging .892 (33/37) with six home runs, eight RBI and eight runs scored.

The Pitching Matchups:

Friday: CC Sabathia (5-0, 1.88) vs. RHP Collin Balester (2-3, 4.55) on FSN Wisconsin 
Saturday: Ben Sheets (10-5, 3.14) vs. RHP Tim Redding (8-6, 4.44) on FSN Wisconsin
Sunday: Manny Parra (9-5, 4.18) vs. LHP John Lannan (6-11, 3.55) on FSN Wisconsin
Monday: Dave Bush (6-9, 4.50) vs. RHP Garrett Mock *No live TV, FSN Squeeze Play

 

Have a great weekend.

-BA

The Brewers were shut out for just the fourth time in 2008 Sunday in Atlanta but are now 11-2 in their last 13 road games overall (since July 1). With another road series win, the good road karma is still intact as the Brew Crew is set to begin a three game series at Great American Ballpark versus the Reds Monday.

It will be strange seeing the Reds without Ken Griffey, Jr. who was traded last week for Nick Masset and Danny Richar. Richar is in AAA while Masset will be in the Reds bullpen.

Cincinnati is 5-4 against Milwaukee in 2008–however, the Brewers have won four of their last five games at Great American Ball Park (dating to last season).

The Reds were swept three straight by the Nationals over the weekend and are now just 1-8 in their last nine games overall.

Bronson Arroyo is 6-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 10 career starts against the Brewers. Overall, Arroyo has won each of his last three home starts and posted a 2.14 ERA in those outings.

Manny Parra has faced the Reds once in his career, allowing five runs (four earned) in 6.1 innings and earning a no-decision on July 11. Parra has pitched well on the road of late, going 4-0 and posting a 3.25 ERA in his last six starts away from Miller Park.

Adam Dunn has 31 career home runs against the Brewers–most of any player in baseball since the beginning of 2001 (Dunn’s first MLB season).

Starting pitching has been an issue all season for the Reds but their bullpen can be dangerous, especially late:
Starters: 5.14 – 2nd highest in NL (Pit 5.83)
Bullpen: 3.52 – 3rd lowest in NL

Despite catching quite a bit this year, Jason Kendall still looks and feels strong. He has thrown out 26 of 63 runners attempting to steal this season (41.3%) after throwing out just 13 of 124 runners last season (10.5%).

Reds Injury Report:

Aaron Harang (strained right forearm) was scratched from his scheduled start July 5, but started July 8 at Chicago. An MRI revealed a strain and he ultimately went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 9.

Jared Burton (strained right lat) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 11. 

Ryan Freel (partially torn right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list June 4, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 31. He had surgery July 23, and he will miss another four to six weeks.

Norris Hopper (torn ligament in right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list July 2 and was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 17. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery July 8.

Alex Gonzalez (compression fracture in left knee) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list and was transferred to the 60-day DL. He had season-ending surgery July 7.

All three games versus Cincinnati will be on FSN Wisconsin with John Walsh producing and Michael Oddino directing. Brian Mikolajek will handle Brett Favre updates.

Have a great week!
-BA

Here’s to a severe case of amnesia.

The Crew tries to put a 1-6 homestand behind them as they hit the road once again hoping to extend a 7-game road winning streak.  

All is not lost Milwaukee, keep your chin up. The Brewers have won nine of the last 10 road games and will play the Braves, Reds, Nats, and Padres – all teams with losing records – in the next four series. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the 5-game deficit in the NL Central get back to a manageable number two weeks from now.

This team has an impressive “bounce back” nature to it. Don’t forget, some of their best baseball has followed the most severe slumps…I expect them to do so nicely again.

Some pre-series prep for the Braves series:

Milwaukee is 4-2 against Atlanta this season, despite scoring a total of just 15 runs in the six contests.

The Brewers are 22-12 against lefthanded starters this season.

Ryan Braun needs one home run to become just the seventh player in franchise history with two 30-homer seasons – and the first player to do so in his first two seasons with the club.

In his two starts since coming off the disabled list, Jeff Suppan has given up 11 runs in 13.0 innings.

Chuck James is Friday’s scheduled starter for the Braves. It will be his first appearance in the majors since May 15. James went 4-5 with a 2.48 ERA in 14 appearances with Triple-A Richmond, earning his recall.

Casey Kotchman has gone 0-for-9 in his first two games with Atlanta.

Atlanta injury report:

Brian McCann (concussion) He might be cleared to hit Saturday but won’t catch during the Brewers series.

Tim Hudson (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 24. He might require Tommy John surgery.

Tom Glavine (flexor tendon tear in left elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list June 11. He could begin a rehab assignment August 4. Glavine is hopeful that he will avoid surgery and could rejoin the Braves’ rotation following a couple minor league rehab starts.

Chipper Jones (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 24.

Matt Diaz (strained posterior cruciate ligament in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list May 28.

John Smoltz (sore right shoulder) had arthroscopic surgery June 10 and will miss the remainder of the season.

-BA

For the first time this year, the Chicago Cubs will play at Miller Park. After dropping two of three to the Astros, the Crew enters the series with a bit of a limp. But nothing helps a team get upright like good pitching and the two aces, CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, will kick off the most anticipated regular season series of the year.

As excited as everyone is about the showdown, remember, it’s only July. The Brewers and Cubs will play 10 more times the rest of the year.

Some numbers:

The Cubs are 22-30 on the road and have lost 13 of the last 19 away from Wrigley.

Since April 22, CC Sabathia is 10-5, 1.97, best in the Majors.

Ted Lilly’s road ERA is 3.48 (5.34 at home) and since June 1st (5gs), it’s 2.23.

These teams own the best two records in the National League. Milwaukee leads the season series 4-2, with all six games played in Chicago.

While the Brewers have won seven straight and nine of their last 10 on the road, they are just 4-6 in their last 10 home contests.

Chicago averages 6.2 runs per game at home, versus 4.3 on the road. 
 Only the Rockies have a larger difference between their home and road scoring.

Alfonso Soriano is batting .405 in nine career games at Miler Park (17-for-42), with three home runs and eight RBI.

 CC Sabathia is 4-0 with three complete games and a 1.36 ERA since his trade to Milwaukee. In his only career start against the Cubs (June 21, 2006), Sabathia allowed a career-high-tying nine earned runs in 2.1 innings.

In 10 games since the All-Star break, Ryan Braun is hitting .452 (19-for-42) with five homers and 14 RBI. Braun is hitting .407 vs the Cubs.

You can watch all four games on FSN Wisconsin (HD the first three games) with John Walsh producing and Michael Oddino directing.

Enjoy the week.

-BA

Wow!

To steal a famous line from Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck (who would not have enjoyed the last series), let me just say: “I can’t believe what I just saw!”

A 7-0 road trip, best in franchise history.

A four game sweep and three final at-bat wins in St. Louis, a franchise first.

Of the nine wins versus the Cardinals, Ryan Braun’s dramatic game winning homerun Thursday night was the sixth final at-bat victory against the Redbirds. The Crew leads MLB in that category with 19.

Ryan Braun has hits in eight consecutive official at-bats with one walk…giving him nine straight plate appearances on base. He is putting up MVP-type numbers with plenty of baseball left.

Entering the Astros series, Braun is among league leaders in a number of major National League categories: Total Bases (1st), Extra Base Hits (1st), HR (3rd), Hits (3rd), Triples (4th), RBI (6th), SLG % (6th), and has zero errors in LF with 6 outfield assists.

The Brewers have homered in 20 consecutive games (31 total), a franchise record.

Friday night begins a key seven game homestand versus the Astros and Cubs. All seven games are expected to be sellouts…way to go Milwuakee!

Some numbers to get you ready for Cecil Cooper’s Astros:

The Brewers have dominated their recent home contests against the Astros, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings between the clubs in Milwaukee.

The Brewers (59-43) are 16 games over .500 for the first time since the end of 1992 season when they finished 92-70.

The Astros have committed just seven errors (the fewest in the majors since June 17) over their last 31 games.

The Astros have already stolen 89 bases this season, more than they stole all of 2006 (79) and 2007 (65).

Ryan Braun is hitting .352 (62/176) with 14 home runs against the NL Central this season.

Wandy Rodriguez has allowed just four earned runs in five games against divisional opponents this season.

Friday and Sunday’s game will be on FSN-HD. Saturday’s contest is on WMLW in Milwaukee. All three games will be produced by John Walsh, and directed by Michael Oddino. Brian Mikolajek will handle calorie intake.

Have a great weekend.

-BA  

Coming off a three game sweep of the Giants in San Francisco, the Crew is in the Lou to begin a key four game series with the Division rival Cardinals.

The flight to St. Louis had a new passenger Sunday night. Ray Durham boarded the Brewers charter dressed to the nine’s and was all smiles after he agreed to a trade that put him squarely in the middle of a hot pennant race. Durham held the cards in the trade. Because he’s been in the league more than 10 years, five with one team, he owned a no-trade clause in his contract. He waived the clause to join the Crew which tells you all you need to know about his commitment to being a Brewer. 

Durham is a two-time all star now in his 14th year in the Major Leagues. He immediately becomes the Brewers batting average and on base percentage leader. Even though he’s a switch hitter, it’s his left handed bat the Crew is counting on. Durham is hitting .318 left handed this year (.221 RH). He’s been through a trade deadline deal in the past. In 2002, Durham was traded from the White Sox to Oakland and helped the A’s make it to the post season.

Next up, the Cardinals. Both teams are hot. The Crew has won four straight while St. Louis has won five in a row. Some pre series prep work to get you set for the showdown at new Busch:

The Brewers lead the season series, 5-4.

St. Louis has won five straight and six of seven overall, averaging 8.3 runs and 2.1 home runs per game in those seven contests.

The Crew is 32-16 since May 26, the best record in the majors over that span.

Prince Fielder has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, with four HR and 14 RBI.

In his career against the NL Central, Seth McClung has a 3.86 ERA and .183 batting average allowed, versus a 5.90 ERA and .267 BA allowed versus all other teams.

Albert Pujols ranks among the active career leaders in home runs (26, 3rd), RBI (97, 2nd) and batting average (.353, 2nd) versus the Brewers.

Joel Pineiro has made just five of his 15 starts at home this year, where he has a 3.56 ERA (5.02 on the road)

The Brewers have hit at least one home run in every game so far this month and in 16 games in a row. They are on pace to hit 213 homers this season, which would be the third most for any season in team history.

Brewers starting pitching has been outstanding since June 1st, compiling a 22-10 record and a 3.35 ERA.

Through 98 games, the Crew has exactly the same record (55-43) as last year with eerily similar numbers across the board.

-BA
 

 

The marathon is turning into a two and a half month sprint beginning Friday night in San Francisco. The post all-star pitching rotation is set for the Giants series this weekend: Sabathia-Sheets-Parra. It’s still unknown what Ned Yost will do for the first two games of the St. Louis series beginning Monday…but my guess is Seth McClung, then Jeff Suppan. Sabathia and Sheets will pitch the final two games at Busch Stadium. Suppan is still on the disabled list but threw a successful bullpen session Thursday in San Francisco. Ned is still strongly considering “piggybacking” McClung and Dave Bush with McClung starting road games and Bush starting home games. We’ll have to wait and see if that actually happens but it’s not a bad thought considering Bush’s difficulty on the road. Either way, someone will eventually evolve into the #5 starter.

One thing is for sure, Sabathia and Sheets will not only strengthen the starting rotation, but the bullpen as well. Bullpen success depends, in large part, on bullpen usage. CC and Ben are dominant innings eaters and I suspect the Brewers bullpen, especially middle and long relief, will be much more rested and much easier to manage with two horses at the front of the rotation.  

The Brewers worked out at AT&T Park Thursday. Only the all stars (Braun, Hart, Sheets) had excused absences. Everybody else was there, looked great and ready for the stretch drive!

 

Some news and notes to prep you for the Giants series:

The Brewers have homered in each of their last 13 games (20hr), which marks their longest streak of the season. It’s the longest streak since they went 16 straight games with a homer last season from 6/20-7/7 (29hr).

Bill Hall (12) and Russell Branyan (10) have combined to hit 22 home runs from the third base position this season, the most in the Major Leagues.

The Brewers will be making their first trip to San Francisco since the Giants swept the Brewers in a three-game series in August of last year.

CC Sabathia will be making his second career start against the Giants. Sabathia allowed two runs in 8.0 innings in a win against the Giants on June 10, 2005.

JJ Hardy has recorded seven home runs this month, tied with Adam Dunn for the second-most among N.L. players for the month of July.

The Giants are 14-3 at home when holding opponents to under four runs this year.

John Bowker has been struggling at the plate recently. Bowker is hitless in his last 10 at bats, including six strikeouts.

Matt Cain is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in his last four home starts.

 

Giants Injury Report:

Randy Winn (bruised right knee) left the July 11 game after fouling a ball off his knee and missed games from July 12-13. He is day to day.

Dan Ortmeier (broken left middle finger) went on the 15-day disabled list May 30. He began a rehab assignment with High-A San Jose on July 6.

Dave Roberts (torn meniscus in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list April 8 and had surgery April 12. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno on July 7 and might return shortly after the All-Star break.

Kevin Frandsen (ruptured left Achilles tendon) suffered the injury March 2 and had season-ending surgery March 29. He opened the season on the 15-day disabled list and was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 15.

Noah Lowry (left arm surgery on March 7) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list and was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 30. He’s currently in Arizona trying to strengthen the arm.

 

Enjoy the weekend.

-BA

Congratulations to Corey Hart on his All Star bid and congratulations to all Brewer fans who voted. What an amazing week. Ryan Braun (an All Star starter), Ben Sheets returning to the mid-summer classic, the CC trade, JJ Hardy named Player of the Week, a 5-2 homestand and Corey Hart voted in.  Milwaukee is truly the small market making big noise! Should be fun to see Bruan, Sheets and Hart do their thing at Yankee Stadium.

Leading up to the All Star break, it’s the Brewers and the Reds…enjoy some “game prep” information to get you up to speed:

– Cincinnati and Milwaukee have split six games played in 2008 with each taking two of three away from home.

– The Reds have won five of their past seven games. In their last win, the Reds gave up seven runs, their fourth victory of the season when giving up at least seven runs.

– The Brewers have won five of their last seven contests and are 28-14 in their last 42 games.

– Milwaukee’s 28-14 record in games since May 26 is the best in Major League Baseball in this span.

– In his last seven games, Adam Dunn is slugging .731 (19/26) with four home runs, four runs scored and six RBIs.

– In his last 11 games, J.J. Hardy is batting .489 (22-for-45), slugging 1.067 (48/45) with five doubles, seven home runs, 11 runs scored and 14 runs batted in.

– Homer Bailey will start Sunday’s game replacing Aaron Harang, who was scratched with a strained right forearm.

Reds Injury update:

RHP Aaron Harang (tight right forearm) was scratched from his scheduled start July 5, but he started July 8 at Chicago. An MRI revealed a strain, and he will be placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 9.

OF Ryan Freel (partially torn right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list June 4. He is out indefinitely.

OF Norris Hopper (torn ligament in right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list July 2. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery July 8.

SS Alex Gonzalez (compression fracture in left knee) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 28. He suffered another setback June 6 when he limped off the field after trying to run. He had season-ending surgery July 7.

For the Brewers off the field, I’m proud of Mike Cameron, who treated 1,700 YMCA kids to a game on Thursday as part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee’s 150th anniversary. Not only did he purchase game tickets, but took care of trasportation as well. I’ve been on a few projects with Cameron and he is a first class person in the community.

See you after the break.

-BA

Today is no ordinary Monday.

Today is a monumental moment in the history of a beloved franchise.

Twenty six years without a playoff appearance. A generation of fans who’s July’s have mostly meant the exodus of their biggest stars.

But not today.

Today, the Brewers were buyers…acquiring one of baseball’s premier pitchers. A Cy Young arm joins a red hot ballclub, creating one of the game’s most powerful 1-2 punch.

What happens from here on out is unknown.

What happened today, proves this franchise means business.

Today, CC Sabathia is a Brewer!

The future is now, let the chase begin!

 

 

Ryan Braun has pulled within 32,925 votes of Kosuke Fukudome for the final starting National League outfield spot. If everybody watching votes 25 times, he’ll be an All Star starter. Voting ends July 2nd. Vote Braun at WWW.BREWERS.COM or WWW.MLB.COM up to 25 times per email account.

There are still good seats available for Fourth of July weekend at Miller Park. We hope you’ll make plans to join us as the Brewers take on the Pirates.

The Brewers hit the exact halfway point of the season with a winning record and still in the playoff hunt. Eighty one games down, eighty one to go. I think everyone is encouraged with the quality of play especially after a very difficult first half schedule.

Amazingly, only five of the 16 teams in the National League have winning records. Three of those are in the NL Central. Milwaukee began the road trip 6.5 games back of the Cubs and are now just 4.5 games back. Anytime you can make up ground on the road, it’s a bonus.  

The last leg of this 10-game, 11 day road trip starts Monday as the Crew begins a four game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Brewers will face Doug Davis, Randy Johnson, Michah Owings, and Brandon Webb. 

All four games of the Arizona series will be on FSN Wisconsin with Ryan Schaber producing, Michael Oddino directing, and Brian Mikolajek handling the sunscreen and heat index.

Brewers Live will be “live” at Summerfest before and after the games so stay up late and enjoy West coast baseball this week!

Here are some of my D-Backs notes to get you ready for the series:

– The Diamondbacks are 9-13 since they last played the Brewers on June 4 and are 2-7 on their recently-completed nine-game road trip versus AL teams. They averaged just 2.4 runs per game in those contests, hitting .209 as a team.

– Chris Young has eight RBIs in his last 11 games since being moved from leadoff spot.

– Brandon Webb became the first 12-game winner in the major leagues Saturday.

– Brandon Lyon had his streak of 15 consecutive save conversions broken when he gave up two runs to Florida in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss Sunday. It was Lyon’s first blown save since April 6. He is 15 of 18 in save opportunities this year.

– Eric Byrnes is 2-for-22 with no RBI and no runs scored since returning from the disabled list last Monday.

– The Brewers swept three games from Arizona in Milwaukee in early June, and have won nine of the last 11 games in the series overall.

– The Crew’s 24-13 record since May 20 is tied for best in the majors with Detroit.

– Russell Branyan is tied for the NL lead with nine home runs in June (with Hanley Ramirez, Fla; and Mark Teixeira, Atl).

– In seven road starts this year, Dave Bush is 1-5 with a 7.09 ERA, compared to 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA in seven home starts.

Have a great week!

-BA