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<?xml version="1.0"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" xmlns:yt="http://gdata.youtube.com/schemas/2007" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"> <channel> <title>MLB MIX copy</title> <description>This pipe gets all the news feeds from digg, reddit, slashdot, boingboing, netscape and del.icio.us and aggregates together and adds the domain of the site they came from at the end of the title of the feed</description> <link>http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=ea9197c1b4d298c3013647034ce8f41d</link> <atom:link rel="next" href="http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.run?_id=ea9197c1b4d298c3013647034ce8f41d&_render=rss&page=2"/> <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:01:45 +0000</pubDate> <generator>http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/</generator> <item> <title>Five Milwaukee Brewers Playing Even Better Than You Thought : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/05/five-milwaukee-brewers-playing-even.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5/12/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>12:00pm</b></i><br /><br /><br />Inspired by <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/JRRadcliffe/status/598157464350121985">JR Radcliffe’s tweet</a> regarding the <b>Milwaukee Brewers</b> leader in wins (<b>Michael Blazek</b>), it got me thinking about the other stats that may be surprising through 33 games this season.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While the win is an entirely awful stat to use for evaluation (see <b>Jonathan Broxton's</b> "victory" Monday night), it still was intriguing to see Blazek leading the club. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">With that in mind, even if you’ve watched or listened to most of the Crew’s games, you may be caught off-guard with some of the solid numbers being posted. Whether or not the stats below translate to consistent wins remains to be seen, but the five guys below are helping in their own ways. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><b><span style="font-size:large;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size:large;">1) Khris Davis is second on the team in walks</span></b> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKGybjyOIls/VVJlNvGTxOI/AAAAAAAACYE/HeNUy3Gn5mg/s1600/Davis_PinstripesCongratsInDugout_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKGybjyOIls/VVJlNvGTxOI/AAAAAAAACYE/HeNUy3Gn5mg/s320/Davis_PinstripesCongratsInDugout_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>We all know his bat has caught fire the past few games, following a prolonged slump <b>(6-for-49)</b>, but he’s actually done a nice job reaching base despite the early struggles.<br /><br />He made a vow coming into 2015 to be more patient, which is something he actually displayed in the minors.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now thanks to his <b>14 free passes</b> and <b>8-for-13 surge (3 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI)</b>, Davis boasts a <b>.350 OBP and .783 OPS. </b><br /><br />He may still take some wild, "healthy" cuts at times, but it should be encouraging to see so many walks, particularly coming out of a rough stretch of at-bats.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:large;">2) Gerardo Parra has the second-highest SLG and OPS on the club</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg8Crxeos78/VVJlOAfkg5I/AAAAAAAACYQ/mxqSs-1YSGI/s1600/Parra_RoundingBasesInGold_MikeMcGinnis.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg8Crxeos78/VVJlOAfkg5I/AAAAAAAACYQ/mxqSs-1YSGI/s320/Parra_RoundingBasesInGold_MikeMcGinnis.jpg" width="248"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>The yin to Davis’ yang, Parra has put up some gaudy numbers as well. He’s<b> second on the club in doubles and extra-base hits</b>, and is the only Brewer with <b>multiple triples (3)</b>.<br /><br />The <b>12 extra-base knocks</b> in 81 at-bats gives him a <b>.481 slugging percentage</b> and an <b>OPS of .784</b> this year. <br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">His effectiveness will surely drop should he play too much, but Parra is a great option to have when one of the three right-handed outfielders needs a day off, are hurt or are struggling.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">An interesting part of Parra's 2015 season thus far is that he has been incredible against lefties:&nbsp;<br /><b>.364/.385/.818/1.203</b> in 13 plate appearances </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:large;">3) Mike Fiers leads the NL in Ks per 9 innings (minimum 20 IP)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Izw6yuGjmE/VVJlNiY4thI/AAAAAAAACYA/tKeJ9Rxjl2E/s1600/Fiers_PinstripesBackInWindup_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Izw6yuGjmE/VVJlNiY4thI/AAAAAAAACYA/tKeJ9Rxjl2E/s320/Fiers_PinstripesBackInWindup_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Fiers is in the<b> top 10 in overall strikeouts with 42</b>, in the ballpark of <b>Johnny Cueto</b>, <b>Madison Bumgarner and Cole Hamels</b>.<br /><br />Heading into Tuesday’s start, Fiers had only racked up 29.2 innings pitched – 9 frames fewer than the next closest strikeout leader.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So despite the <b>1-4 record, ugly 5.46 ERA, gruesome 1.719 WHIP and opponent’s .906 OPS</b>, Fiers has the <b>best strikeout per nine inning mark in the league at 12.7 K/9</b>.<br /><br />If he can start to limit his mistakes, he should be able to avoid the big inning, and then his other numbers will likely follow the impressive strikeout figures.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:large;">4) Ryan Braun has the 7<sup>th</sup>best hard-hit ball percentage in the NL</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F9BZ5R539U/VVJlNlSX1JI/AAAAAAAACYY/xztt8MT448o/s1600/Braun_PinstripeCUeyesSwing_TomLynn_getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F9BZ5R539U/VVJlNlSX1JI/AAAAAAAACYY/xztt8MT448o/s320/Braun_PinstripeCUeyesSwing_TomLynn_getty.jpg" width="255"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>No, the results haven’t been up to his <b>MVP</b> precedent, but people claiming Braun is suffering from a lack of PEDs are simply catering to the easy narrative.<br /><br />Braun has the<b> 7<sup>th</sup>-best hard-hit ball percentage in the NL at 42.6%</b> - tops on the club among qualified hitters.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">His <b>OPS is now up to .776</b> and he is tied with <b>Adam Lind</b> for the team <b>lead in HR (6)</b>. Braun has been fighting some bad habits – mentally and mechanically – that he picked up when his thumb was affecting him last season.<br /><br />However, to say his power is limited without PEDs is simply false.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The hard-hit ball percentage clearly shows he’s doing damage to the baseball, but he is running into some bad luck.<br /><br />His <b>BABIP</b> – or batting average of balls in play – sits at <b>.282 this year.</b> That’s 53 points below his <b>career BABIP (.335)</b> and 22 points shy of his lowest <b>BABIP (.304)</b> in a season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><b><span style="font-size:large;"> </span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:large;">5) Jimmy Nelson allowing the lowest percentage of line drives in the NL</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvevuK6n9fk/VVJlOBpwCzI/AAAAAAAACYU/0BcjwuxYdOM/s1600/Nelson_Pinstripe_FollowThru_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvevuK6n9fk/VVJlOBpwCzI/AAAAAAAACYU/0BcjwuxYdOM/s320/Nelson_Pinstripe_FollowThru_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" width="228"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>In case you weren’t aware, line drives are most likely to produce runs over the course of a season, so limiting them can be a huge key to a pitcher’s success.<br /><br />Nelson has prevented frozen ropes better than anyone in the <b>Senior Circuit</b> – allowing a line drive percentage <b>(LD%) of 14.3%</b> through 6 starts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We know he’s pitched well, but it’s an impressive position to be in. If it continues, his 4.00 ERA will certainly come down.<br /><br />Only <b>Nate Karns</b> of the <b>Tampa Bay Rays</b> and <b>King Felix Hernandez</b> of the <b>Seattle Mariners</b>have a lower percentage in all of baseball.</div><br />His opponents’ BABIP is also on the low end <b>(.261)</b>, suggesting Nelson has had good luck on his side in general.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Yet, he’s also been a victim of poor defense on a number of occasions, so maybe that stuff all evens out in the end. Even if the LD% crept into the <b>16-17% range</b>, it would be an enormous accomplishment.</div>&nbsp; <br /><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-3726491090142073671</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2015 14:05:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKGybjyOIls/VVJlNvGTxOI/AAAAAAAACYE/HeNUy3Gn5mg/s72-c/Davis_PinstripesCongratsInDugout_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>Milwaukee Brewers Could Be a Test Subject for Radical Lineup Idea : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/05/milwaukee-brewers-could-be-test-subject.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5/11/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>12:45pm</b></i><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div>What if a manager went way outside the box and incorporated my son’s radical lineup strategy he uses when he plays <b>MLB: The Show</b> on PS3?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;margin-right:1em;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Pk2UzRGKs/VVEdrVlXT_I/AAAAAAAACW4/gMBfNmHRFAM/s1600/Lohse_BuntingPinStripes_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Pk2UzRGKs/VVEdrVlXT_I/AAAAAAAACW4/gMBfNmHRFAM/s320/Lohse_BuntingPinStripes_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>The other day, I was having an intense conversation with my baseball-obsessed son about why pitchers usually bat 9th. This came up after I pointed out that the <b>Chicago Cubs’ Joe Maddon</b> bats his starter 8th in his first year in the <b>National League</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Note: Yes, I really can have detailed discussions with him because he understand and cares THAT much. He's also only five years old, so if you say anything negative about HIS idea, I will hunt you down.</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />With that out of the way, I actually like the idea of the pitcher hitting 8th for a number of reasons, though most advanced statistical theories argue it doesn’t make much of a difference – if any.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My son, however, went well off the grid.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He decided it would be best if he has the pitcher bat leadoff, because in his words, <i><b>“I can get him out of the way.”</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">On the surface, it seems to make little sense. As we know ,that spot in the lineup will get the most plate appearances and it would be nice to maximize it with a good hitter. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">At the same time, as we often hear that once the first inning is over, lineup position matters little - at least to a certain extent. Ninth or 1st, you'll still have the pitcher in front of your best hitters, so maybe it doesn’t matter which one you decide to go with after the first inning.</div><br />Then a funny thing happened - I started to convince myself it was a viable strategy in extreme cases.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Take the <b>2015 Milwaukee Brewers</b> as a prime example, at least through their first 32 contests. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The first batter of the game for the Brewers currently has a <b>.188 OBP</b>, which is not only horrendous, but good for <b>dead last in the NL</b>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They’ve reached base just <b>7 times in 32 attempts</b> (one of those on an error), drawing just a<b> solitary walk</b> and producing exactly <b>zero extra-base hits</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJASZLKz0G0/VVEdsmkkjZI/AAAAAAAACW8/S5__Ed4yS9s/s1600/peralta_BattingInBlue_Left_AlBehrman_AP.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJASZLKz0G0/VVEdsmkkjZI/AAAAAAAACW8/S5__Ed4yS9s/s320/peralta_BattingInBlue_Left_AlBehrman_AP.jpg" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Al Behrman, Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>Brewers’ pitchers, by comparison, own a <b>.108 OBP with one extra-base hit and a pair of walks</b>. They’ve had nearly twice as many PA, but the OBP isn’t terribly different.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So again, maybe he was onto something, and the thinking would be two-fold.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">First of all, Milwaukee has already been <b>starting the game with an out 81% of the time</b>. You might as well have that out come from the pitcher who is making an out at only a slightly higher clip.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The pitcher won’t be batting with anyone on base, which is ideal in that you’d like a real hitter up with men on base. Also, now you don’t have to see him bat again for another eight batters.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In essence, you haven’t put yourself at much of a disadvantage as you’re “getting him out of the way” and avoiding him as long as possible moving forward. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Even if he took three straight strikes and sat down, it could be an improvement in pitches per plate appearance compared to their usual leadoff hitters – <b>Carlos Gomez</b> and <b>Jean Segura</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As for the rest of the game, is there really going to be a tangible impact if he’s hitting 9th or leadoff? Most likely not as by the time his third at-bat would come around, the situation would dictate whether or not you see a pinch-hitter anyway. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Technically, it gives the manager one extra batter to gauge whether or not he’ll leave the starter in the game or look for more offense.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The second reason leading off with the pitcher could work on this team is that the Brewers don’t have a prototypical leadoff hitter anyway. In general, I'm thinking about a guy with a high OBP, stong plate discipline and excellent speed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;margin-right:1em;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KS-rgPDnRUI/VVEl0Ja9HqI/AAAAAAAACXY/q5KXnNcuaDs/s1600/Gomez_MadAfterAtBat_ThearonWHenderson_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KS-rgPDnRUI/VVEl0Ja9HqI/AAAAAAAACXY/q5KXnNcuaDs/s320/Gomez_MadAfterAtBat_ThearonWHenderson_Getty.jpg" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>This would eliminate the need for a player to buy into this “mentality” since you’re basically going with hitters 2 through 9 instead.<br /><br />Brewers fans could probably name plenty of hitters in the last few years who seemed to be spooked by the idea of leading off, unsure if they should change philosophies or just be themselves regardless of the leadoff spot.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><br />Gomez, for example, said he hates batting leadoff, despite the previous manager’s insistence on putting him there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps it doesn’t make a bit of difference in the numbers, but I can see the potential for a positive gain thanks to the mental component. The mind is still an underrated part of baseball today because it can’t be measured, unlike so many other aspects of the game.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaxJo7LaRqE/VVEmtr9j2BI/AAAAAAAACXo/xD_K1f-_q6I/s1600/Counsell_Manager_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaxJo7LaRqE/VVEmtr9j2BI/AAAAAAAACXo/xD_K1f-_q6I/s320/Counsell_Manager_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Whoever would have the guts hit the pitcher leadoff would need to have a seriously long leash on his job.<br /><br />Lo and behold, <b>Craig Counsell</b> might actually be that guy. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He just signed a three-year deal, took over a team that was struggling a ton offensively, and has the numbers on this club to back up a radical move. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br />Now I highly doubt anyone would actually give it a shot, but the 2015 Brewers, as they’re currently constituted, seem to have the perfect storm for an experiment neither <b>Dr. Frankenstein</b> nor <b>Tony La Russa</b> would dare try.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I say it’s time the dream of a five-year-old baseball fanatic comes to life in Milwaukee! Even I can't tell if I'm serious or not, but it would be fun to see at least once.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-1536633069437208347</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2015 15:09:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Pk2UzRGKs/VVEdrVlXT_I/AAAAAAAACW4/gMBfNmHRFAM/s72-c/Lohse_BuntingPinStripes_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez: The Shocking Streak Killing the Milwaukee Brewers : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/ryan-braun-and-aramis-ramirez-shocking.html</link> <description><b><i>by Tim Muma &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4/25/15</i></b><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<b><i>2:15pm</i></b><br /><br /><br /><br />While the <b>Milwaukee Brewers</b>' pitching has been far from stellar, it's the club's offense that has truly confused and frustrated fans since the end of last season.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UNgeZ7lT2qI/VTvqCx2hWeI/AAAAAAAACVc/rcvSsiP3ue0/s1600/Braun_OnGroundOutAt2nd_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UNgeZ7lT2qI/VTvqCx2hWeI/AAAAAAAACVc/rcvSsiP3ue0/s1600/Braun_OnGroundOutAt2nd_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="213" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Through 17 games in 2015, the Crew's offense has been shockingly awful, scoring only <b>2.71 runs per game (second-last in NL)</b>.<br /><br />Last year, the club finished <b>6th in the NL with 4.01 runs per contest</b>, aided largely by the league's <b>3rd-most doubles and 5th-best HR total</b>.<br /><br />And yet, a disturbing trend of offensive impotence was on display at the end of the season.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div><b><i>From August 26, 2014 until the end of last year, Milwaukee tallied just 2.7 runs a game, eerily similar to this season's output. The team went 9-22 in those final 31 contests.</i></b><br /><br />You may have wondered why I'd seemingly choose an arbitrary date like August 26th. From that date through Friday night's contest, neither <b>Ryan Braun</b> nor <b>Aramis Ramirez</b> have had more than one extra-base hit in a game.<br /><br />With 8 position players in the lineup, including other talented bats, is it fair to blame two guys for a majority of the teams' struggles? This might indicate it's the leading cause.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiynWftIamQ/VTvqC7nqDAI/AAAAAAAACVs/vnTxooou6CE/s1600/Ramirez_DarkBlueSingle_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiynWftIamQ/VTvqC7nqDAI/AAAAAAAACVs/vnTxooou6CE/s1600/Ramirez_DarkBlueSingle_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="213" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Ramirez's streak of games with 1 or 0 extra-base hits in a game began on August 26th, and it has continued for 45 consecutive games.<br /><br />During that span, the third baseman is <b>batting a lowly .192 with a .220 OBP, .269 SLG and an unacceptable .489 OPS.</b><br /><br />In more than 170 plate appearances, Ramirez has <b>9 extra-base hits (2 HR, 7 doubles), 2 walks and just 9 RBI</b>.<br /><br />Not even close to the production you need from your third baseman, and maybe a sign he's playing one season too many.<br /><br />Meanwhile Braun's numbers have been slightly better, but he hasn't had 2 or more extra-base hits in a single game since August 2nd of last season.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;margin-right:1em;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJkVSqTTxhM/VTvqDG0bdYI/AAAAAAAACVw/vdoIhleTzNU/s1600/Braun_StretchingWithBat_JustinKAller_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJkVSqTTxhM/VTvqDG0bdYI/AAAAAAAACVw/vdoIhleTzNU/s1600/Braun_StretchingWithBat_JustinKAller_Getty.jpg" height="227" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Justin K. Aller, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>That's a span of 64 games - easily the longest stretch of his career (previous high was 33 games).<br /><br />In just over 260 plate appearances in that time, Braun owns just <b>7 doubles and 6 HR while posting a .226 average and .288 OBP</b>.<br /><br />He has a <b>Jason Kendall</b>-esque <b>.311 SLG</b> and <b>.619 OPS</b> in that span.<br /><br />In those 64 games, Braun has <b>53 strikeouts</b> and a mere <b>22 RBI</b>.<br /><br /><br />We know the end of last season was due to the injured thumb, but everyone claims it's doing fine this year, so what gives? Braun has only one extra-base hit - a solo HR in the 9th inning while trailing 6-0. You almost can't have less of an impact.<br /><br />One can still argue small sample for their at-bats this season, though I'd give Braun more rope than Ramirez. It may be time to give the 18-year veteran even more time on the bench as they have options in Luis Jimenez, Jason Rogers and Hector Gomez.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o7GXknOxzLQ/VTvqD5CCB0I/AAAAAAAACV4/qXKo8OGTmwc/s1600/Ramirez_PinstripesAfterK_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o7GXknOxzLQ/VTvqD5CCB0I/AAAAAAAACV4/qXKo8OGTmwc/s1600/Ramirez_PinstripesAfterK_TomLynn_Getty.jpg" height="320" width="241"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Ramirez's lack of production can easily be seen as an age-induced drop.<br /><br />Braun, on the other hand, has the hope of improvement as he continues to get at-bats with his "new" thumb. He's smoked some balls that have found gloves, so perhaps he's due for a bit more good luck going forward.<br /><br />We can analyze the offense as much as we want, but if these two guys don't snap out of it or a <b> Khris Davis, Adam Lind </b>and<b> Carlos Gomez</b> (upon his return soon) will all need to be consistent threats.<br />handful of other players fill their shoes in productivity, not much will change.<br /><br />If not, the Brewers' 12-36 mark since Braun and Ramirez forget how to reach 2nd base will likely be matched over the next 48 games.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-4614595872906390263</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:31:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UNgeZ7lT2qI/VTvqCx2hWeI/AAAAAAAACVc/rcvSsiP3ue0/s72-c/Braun_OnGroundOutAt2nd_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>Ron Roenicke Continues to Come Up Short as Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/ron-roenicke-continues-to-come-up-short.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/23/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>6:30am</b></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Ron Roenicke</b> is not the main reason the <b>Milwaukee Brewers </b>are off to their worst start in franchise history at 2-13 entering Thursday afternoon. Managers clearly play a role - whether it be with bullpen and lineup decisions or the mentality of the players - but he's only part of the puzzle.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uguLx4RjnmE/VTkX9sDQDRI/AAAAAAAACU4/FriUBSxkF98/s1600/Roenicke_SadFaceInDugout_JeffeyPhelps_AP.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uguLx4RjnmE/VTkX9sDQDRI/AAAAAAAACU4/FriUBSxkF98/s1600/Roenicke_SadFaceInDugout_JeffeyPhelps_AP.jpg" height="179" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>However, with an average team like the Brewers, the manager has a greater impact because the margin for error is much smaller.<br /><br />That leads us back to Roenicke, who in my opinion, continues to laugh in the face of common sense and fails to put his players in the best position to succeed.<br /><br />This isn't anything new to 2015, but Wednesday night's contest in Milwaukee gave us two perfect examples of why I'm not a fan.<br /><br />Many proponents of Roenicke will point to his first season when the Brewers won a franchise-record 96 games in route to a division title. When the talent is there, it's much harder to mess things up. He was thrust into a great situation.<br /><br />Some would argue - myself included - that his warts showed up in the<b> NLCS</b> (e.g. sticking with <b>Shaun Marcum</b>, starting <b>Mark Kotsay</b> in center field) and it dearly cost Milwaukee its best chance at a <b>World Series</b> appearance. <br /><br />Back to present day <b>Miller Park</b> on Wednesday night, watching <b>Jimmy Nelson </b>throw a spectacular 8 innings against the <b>Cincinnati Reds</b>, as Milwaukee tries to snap a 7-game skid.<br /><br />In the bottom of the 8th of a 1-1 game, the Brewers get a pinch-hit, leadoff double from (of all people) <b>Logan Schafer</b>. That set up the first decision:&nbsp; bunt the runner to 3rd with one out or let the top of the order get three cracks at a base hit?<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBtdDEePzAQ/VTkYwzsbmOI/AAAAAAAACVI/mZfhv8ZJ6dU/s1600/Segura_SwingFinished_BlueHome_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBtdDEePzAQ/VTkYwzsbmOI/AAAAAAAACVI/mZfhv8ZJ6dU/s1600/Segura_SwingFinished_BlueHome_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="213" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Most times I could go either way, but it ALWAYS depends on the entire situation. At the plate: <b>Jean Segura</b>.<br /><br />Last season, it makes some sense to bunt as he wasn't hitting at all.<br /><br />But in 2015, he's been one of the hottest, most consistent bats on the team. Secondly, the infield was playing for a bunt, so the corners were in and the holes were expansive, raising the percentage considerably for a single.<br /><br />Segura also does a great job of hitting the ball to the right side - so even if he'd be retired on a ground out, Schafer most likely advances anyway. All these factors say let the kid swing.<br /><br />Then consider <b>Johnny Cueto</b>. It was only his 4th start of the season and his pitch count had reached 100 for the 3rd time this year. He was also coming off an outing where he threw 101 pitches in 7 frames. While he's a terrific hurler, his effectiveness was compromised - and he had just given up a double to a career .208 hitter.<br /><br />It just made very little sense to intentionally give up an out in that situation.<br /><br />Almost predictably, <b>Elian Herrera</b> struck out, which took away the advantage of getting the runner to 3rd with 1 out. The results of <b>Ryan Braun</b> and <b>Adam Lind</b> were somewhat moot at that point, because bunt or not, they would've needed a hit to drive in the run.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;margin-right:1em;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCcM-7t-xcc/VTkX9guNQ1I/AAAAAAAACU0/WKu-sQCCeXw/s1600/KRod_DarkBlueAtHome_TossRight_Mike%2BMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCcM-7t-xcc/VTkX9guNQ1I/AAAAAAAACU0/WKu-sQCCeXw/s1600/KRod_DarkBlueAtHome_TossRight_Mike%2BMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="213" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>So with the clubs still tied heading to the 9th, Roenicke summons <b>Francisco Rodriguez</b>. Usually, it makes sense to go with your closer in a tie game at home in the 9th or later as there won't be a save situation.<br /><br />But it's not automatic! <br /><br />Roenicke chose to do nearly the exact same thing he did in the third game of the season against the <b>Colorado Rockies</b>.<br /><br /><br />In that contest, it was a tie game in the 8th inning with a pair of lefties ready to bat for Colorado.<br /><br />Instead of going to <b>Will Smith </b>to face the two dangerous, left-handed hitters, Roenicke sticks with <b>Jonathan Broxton</b> because "he's the 8th inning guy." After the first out, <b>Charlie Blackmon</b> doubled and <b>Carlos Gonzalez</b> blasted a home run to put the Brewers down a pair.<br /><br />How about a look at the whole situation for once?<br /><br />Due up for the Reds on Wednesday: a pinch-hitter for the pitcher, <b>Billy Hamilton</b> and Joey Votto<b>.</b><br /><br />Either way, the pinch-hitter would have the platoon advantage, so that's a wash at best. That gets us to Hamilton (switch-hitter) and Votto (lefty). The choice should have been plainly clear: Will Smith, not K-Rod.<br /><br />First of all, Smith is simply the better pitcher at this point in their careers. <br /><br />Secondly, Hamilton has a better OBP, slugging percentage and OPS when batting left-handed, and is generally less of a threat hitting from the right side. He also only had 12 right-handed plate appearances this season.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svC1aNfuPz0/VTkX9uqFCvI/AAAAAAAACUw/jjOm0Nbgi_E/s1600/Smith_MidThrow_RightBlue_MikeMcGinnis.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svC1aNfuPz0/VTkX9uqFCvI/AAAAAAAACUw/jjOm0Nbgi_E/s1600/Smith_MidThrow_RightBlue_MikeMcGinnis.jpg" height="320" width="213"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>And for the record, Hamilton was 1-for-2 against K-Rod and 2-for-2 vs. Smith - so that shouldn't have mattered at all. But Hamilton wasn't the biggest concern. That honor belongs to Votto.<br /><br />Roenicke said after the game that K-Rod has been better against lefties than righties anyway, so that didn't matter to him. That's nice, but did you consider the batter might be worse against lefites? <br /><br />Votto is a fantastic hitter either way, but his OPS is nearly 100 points higher when facing a righty. Meanwhile, Smith held lefties to a .167 average last season with Votto going 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his career against Smith.<br /><br />So instead, Hamilton singles and goes to third on a Votto single. Granted, the wild pitch by K-Rod was a bit of a fluke, but there would've been a far greater chance that situation never arises with Smith in the game instead.<br /><br />Who's to say if or when Roenicke will be fired, but if you wanted to see two examples as to why he shouldn't have been back, Wednesday was the perfect microcosm for how he fails to give the club the best chance to win.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-5167639808235343892</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:28:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uguLx4RjnmE/VTkX9sDQDRI/AAAAAAAACU4/FriUBSxkF98/s72-c/Roenicke_SadFaceInDugout_JeffeyPhelps_AP.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>How the Milwaukee Brewers Are Making Fans Feel... : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/how-milwaukee-brewers-are-making-fans.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/21/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>12:45pm</b></i><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp; <br /><br />Earlier today (Tuesday), Drew Olson of ESPN Milwaukee tweeted a Stewie Griffin (Family Guy) GIF related to the Green Bay Packers schedule being released. It inspired me to find some for the Milwaukee Brewers.<br /><br />Sometimes our feelings are best expressed in the body language and raw feelings that blossom through our unconscious facial expressions and overall mannerisms.<br /><br />Just 13 games into a new season - after awaiting the return of baseball for months - the Brewers have evoked many ugly and unfortunate sentiments already. <br /><br />With that in mind, I thought the members of Family Guy would be best suited to portray the glass case of emotion many fans are going through this season.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4yKZ92CRTc/VTa0Gnh1I2I/AAAAAAAACTU/CXM-v714Tts/s1600/Message_ToThe_Brewers.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4yKZ92CRTc/VTa0Gnh1I2I/AAAAAAAACTU/CXM-v714Tts/s1600/Message_ToThe_Brewers.gif" height="239" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">A definitive summary of the 2014 and 2015 Milwaukee Brewers...and really the franchise's entire existence for fans.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCVz6B54-g0/VTa0GXPe3mI/AAAAAAAACTQ/O7wevWQfWko/s1600/Lucroy_NewsOnDL_StewieGriffin.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCVz6B54-g0/VTa0GXPe3mI/AAAAAAAACTQ/O7wevWQfWko/s1600/Lucroy_NewsOnDL_StewieGriffin.gif" height="240" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">When you see the Milwaukee Brewers lineup includes Hector Gomez, Martin Maldonado and Luis Jimenez...and you realize that is the best lineup you have.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsmG0s5GxnY/VTa0FYQ1OzI/AAAAAAAACS4/MaVlAeadKLE/s1600/Brewers_Fall_Behind_Stewie_I%27llBeInTheCar.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsmG0s5GxnY/VTa0FYQ1OzI/AAAAAAAACS4/MaVlAeadKLE/s1600/Brewers_Fall_Behind_Stewie_I'llBeInTheCar.gif" height="177" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">When you're at the game and the opponent takes a 2-run lead into the third inning. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAoaaYvju94/VTa0G1zug6I/AAAAAAAACTg/sds1u6VFNUs/s1600/NextBrewersInjury_WetFloorGuy.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAoaaYvju94/VTa0G1zug6I/AAAAAAAACTg/sds1u6VFNUs/s1600/NextBrewersInjury_WetFloorGuy.gif" height="137" width="320"/></a></div><br /><span style="font-size:large;">The next Brewers injury, combining their first three:</span><br /><span style="font-size:large;">1) Routine act (Gomez)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size:large;">2) Water-related (Gennett)&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size:large;">3) Freak accident (Lucroy)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttrGnOBQCoY/VTa0GM_G2MI/AAAAAAAACTI/qGLqOKK5ahI/s1600/InPlay_Runs.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttrGnOBQCoY/VTa0GM_G2MI/AAAAAAAACTI/qGLqOKK5ahI/s1600/InPlay_Runs.gif" height="238" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">Tracking the Brewers on Gameday (because you can't stand actually watching right now) and the phrase "in play, runs" appears on the screen.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVrnqu9rsZU/VTa0Hvu8twI/AAAAAAAACTs/uCJYMbkPwuc/s1600/Roenicke_CallsOnBroxton_VsLefties.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVrnqu9rsZU/VTa0Hvu8twI/AAAAAAAACTs/uCJYMbkPwuc/s1600/Roenicke_CallsOnBroxton_VsLefties.gif" height="236" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">Ron Roenicke bringing in Jonathan Broxton to face two extremely tough left-handed hitters, ignoring Will Smith because Broxton is the "8th inning guy."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75b06JLeqWc/VTa0FmJawyI/AAAAAAAACS8/4Ff9WdUVDn8/s1600/Exited_BrewersScoreRun.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75b06JLeqWc/VTa0FmJawyI/AAAAAAAACS8/4Ff9WdUVDn8/s1600/Exited_BrewersScoreRun.gif" height="179" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">The genuine reaction every time a Milwaukee pitcher gets through a 1-2-3 inning or the offense gets an extra-base hit.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFUkll13OnQ/VTa0IF7klYI/AAAAAAAACT4/VTgUKHjutZQ/s1600/Shocked_Peter.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFUkll13OnQ/VTa0IF7klYI/AAAAAAAACT4/VTgUKHjutZQ/s1600/Shocked_Peter.gif" height="176" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">When Kyle Lohse gives up only 4 runs in 5 innings of work and the Brewers still have a chance to win.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><span id="goog_1184330378"></span><span id="goog_1184330379"></span></div><span style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:large;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5ZPBdBVpCo/VTa0H9HlPoI/AAAAAAAACT0/eY3f0fBM1ng/s1600/SadFace_LookAway.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5ZPBdBVpCo/VTa0H9HlPoI/AAAAAAAACT0/eY3f0fBM1ng/s1600/SadFace_LookAway.gif" height="219" width="320"/></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">Witnessing the Brewers base running and defense slowly ruin another inning.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sshI91SwUHo/VTa0Ij-dPwI/AAAAAAAACT8/f6ab904hZQo/s1600/Unfollow_AllSportsWriters.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sshI91SwUHo/VTa0Ij-dPwI/AAAAAAAACT8/f6ab904hZQo/s1600/Unfollow_AllSportsWriters.gif" height="226" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">To all the baseball writers making fun of the Brewers on Twitter with stats like, "Eight players have more HR than the Brewers do as a team (4)."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmD-6gsBZPI/VTa0FGMRivI/AAAAAAAACTE/zRV3k0p4-sE/s1600/BrewersSeason_LoveBaseball_HavingFun.gif" style="clear:left;float:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmD-6gsBZPI/VTa0FGMRivI/AAAAAAAACTE/zRV3k0p4-sE/s1600/BrewersSeason_LoveBaseball_HavingFun.gif" height="179" width="320"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;">Your response when a friend asks you why you're still watching the Brewers this season.</span><br /><br /><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-8344088900421612166</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:26:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4yKZ92CRTc/VTa0Gnh1I2I/AAAAAAAACTU/CXM-v714Tts/s72-c/Message_ToThe_Brewers.gif" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>Trying to Stay Positive About the Milwaukee Brewers : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/trying-to-stay-positive-about-milwaukee.html</link> <description><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><i><b><span style="font-family:inherit;">by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-family:inherit;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/20/2015</span></b></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times,;"><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;<span style="font-family:inherit;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>12:30pm</b></i></span> </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times,;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">I've been asked by many to give them some "good news" regarding the <b>2015 Milwaukee Brewers</b>...and I struggle to sincerely come up with optimistic views. That's not to say I've given up on the season, but they are making it awfully hard to to stay positive.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Regardless of how I feel about the club, this is an effort to be the "annoyingly optimistic fan" to offer some slight hope for those that have asked for it. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">First, some statistics to indicate the Brewers haven't been completely horrible...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Making Them Hit It</b></span></span><span style=""><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;">&nbsp;</span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v04N0d-ixzk/VTVlpIWyf5I/AAAAAAAACSQ/HOTD_SENEGo/s1600/Peralta_DarkBlueHomeThrow_JeffreyPhelps_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v04N0d-ixzk/VTVlpIWyf5I/AAAAAAAACSQ/HOTD_SENEGo/s1600/Peralta_DarkBlueHomeThrow_JeffreyPhelps_Getty.jpg" height="143" width="200"/></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">Jeffrey Phelps, Getty Images</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Though Brewers’ opponents are hitting at a healthy rate, the good news is that the hurlers aren’t offering up many free passes.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Through 12 games, Milwaukee <b>pitchers are 4<sup>th</sup> in the NL in walks per nine innings at 2.3 BB/9</b>. It’s a positive trend because hitters will cool off over time, and if you’re not walking them, they will begin to make more outs. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Doubles Tradition Continues </b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">The Brewers have had a player lead the league in doubles 3 times in the past decade, more than any other club. They’ve gotten off to a good start as a team, hitting <b>23 doubles (5<sup>th</sup>out of 30 MLB teams</b>) overall and boasting <b>3 guys in the top 10 in the NL</b> with <b>Khris Davis, Adam Lind</b> and <b>Carlos Gomez</b> accounting for 12 of those.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7P32LBkkIWs/VTVlohEmA3I/AAAAAAAACSM/a9BuAgfNeTw/s1600/Nelson_MSForwardGraysFace_JustinKAller_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7P32LBkkIWs/VTVlohEmA3I/AAAAAAAACSM/a9BuAgfNeTw/s1600/Nelson_MSForwardGraysFace_JustinKAller_Getty.jpg" height="200" width="133"/></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">Justin K. Aller, Getty Images</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Jimmy Nelson</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Considering the Yovani Gallardo trade, questions about the rotation, and the Crew’s 0-4 start, <b>Jimmy Nelson</b>was extra impressive in his 2015 debut. Striking out 9 batters in 7 shutout innings, while displaying a nasty spike curveball, was precisely what Milwaukee needed at the time – and can only hope it’s the first of many stellar outings.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">He only got through 5 frames in his second start, allowing 2 ER and 5 hits while striking out 3 Pirates (0 walks).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><b>Actual Production at 1B/SS</b></span>&nbsp;</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Let’s not rehash the black hole of 1B or the horrible year the shortstop had in ’14 (on and off the field), but instead celebrate a new beginning. Lind was white hot to open the season and still has a slash line of<b> .300/.391/.475/.866</b> – literally Hall of Fame compared to the last couple of years at first base.</span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Jean Segura has also looked far better at the plate, both in shooting the ball to right field and even turning on a pitch for a HR early in the year. He owns a<b>.348 OBP, .780 OPS</b> and the team’s<b> only 2 stolen bases</b> as <b>Ron Roenicke</b> now has him hitting leadoff.</span></span> <br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">-----------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><i><b>That leads us to the other type of optimism below: Looking back at history to find those instances that could be replicated by the current club. No matter the likelihood, the fact it has happened in some capacity can make people feel slightly better.</b></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">-----------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>The 2001 Oakland Athletics</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">In 2001, the <b>Oakland A’s started 2-10 </b>and finished with the <b>2<sup>nd</sup>-best record in baseball at 102-60</b>, losing to the <b>New York Yankees</b> in 5 games in the<b> ALDS</b>. The early-season streak included 7 straight losses at home, all to divisional teams. Their r<b>un differential was -32</b> after a dozen contests.</span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Seven of the Brewers' 10 losses are against<b> NL Central</b> foes. They've also gone 1-5 at home and own a <b>-35 run differential</b>.</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>The 2008 Milwaukee Brewers</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRkfQrVrDbA/VTVlojlcoWI/AAAAAAAACSg/mckhYUZluLQ/s1600/2008Team_SabathiaCelebrate_DarrenHauck_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRkfQrVrDbA/VTVlojlcoWI/AAAAAAAACSg/mckhYUZluLQ/s1600/2008Team_SabathiaCelebrate_DarrenHauck_Getty.jpg" height="133" width="200"/></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">Darren Hauck, Getty Images</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Seven years ago, Milwaukee went <b>2-10 during a 12-game stretch from September 7-9</b>. That sort of "slump" in September is typically more damaging then an April swoon. The '08 club ended the year with a<b> 90-72 record to reach the playoffs for the first time in 26 seasons</b>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>A Look Back at 2014 </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">The Brewers are currently <b>6.5 games out of first place with 150 games to play</b>. Last season, the<b> St. Louis Cardinals sat 6.5 games behind Milwaukee</b> with only 78 contests remaining. St. Louis won the division with with 90 victories.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia,;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Mimicking the 2014, 2011 Brewers? </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2qwEwJbOCo/VTVlon9cOiI/AAAAAAAACSI/4OStILPExck/s1600/2011Team_Morgan_ScaryFaceInBeastMode_DilipVishwanat_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2qwEwJbOCo/VTVlon9cOiI/AAAAAAAACSI/4OStILPExck/s1600/2011Team_Morgan_ScaryFaceInBeastMode_DilipVishwanat_Getty.jpg" height="133" width="200"/></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">From April 20-May last season, with largely the same team, Milwaukee went 14-11 despite being outscored by 5 runs. Want something to shoot for?&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">If the Brewers did the same thing this season - <b>going 14-11 from today forward - they would be 16-21 through 37 games</b>. That's the <b>same record the 2011 Crew owned</b> after the same amount of games. They finished with a <b>franchise record 96 wins, an NL Central title, and two wins shy of the World Series</b>.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">-------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:inherit;"><span style="font-size:small;">Don't take any of this to mean I'm delusional, unrealistic or full of ______; I'm simply relaying information I've uncovered. As I mentioned at the beginning, after some people asked for anything to hold onto in 2015, I felt obliged to give it a shot.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times,;"><br /></span></span></div></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-3123461344477250186</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:09:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v04N0d-ixzk/VTVlpIWyf5I/AAAAAAAACSQ/HOTD_SENEGo/s72-c/Peralta_DarkBlueHomeThrow_JeffreyPhelps_Getty.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>What Are the Leading Causes for the Milwaukee Brewers' Struggles Thus Far? : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/what-are-leading-causes-for-milwaukee.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/17/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i><b> 6:30am</b></i><br /><br /><br />With all the hype of a new season, it's terribly disconcerting to watch your local nine struggle out of the gate. Anticipating baseball for months, then witnessing the Milwaukee Brewers lose 7 of their first 9 contests, doesn't fill one with great joy for the remaining 153 games.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zSTzhCtjiM/VTFmysF9mdI/AAAAAAAACRM/Ve6wXK__9K0/s1600/Gennett_EjectedAfterK_BennySieu_USATODAYSports.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zSTzhCtjiM/VTFmysF9mdI/AAAAAAAACRM/Ve6wXK__9K0/s1600/Gennett_EjectedAfterK_BennySieu_USATODAYSports.jpg" height="210" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports</td></tr></tbody></table><br />However, seeing the number of tilts still on the calendar should be a good reminder that we're literally 5% into the new year and a lot can change, and change again, and change again before September rolls around.<br /><br />With that said, there are a handful of reasons for the Crew's early season failures, and the question will be what will persist and what will be turned on its head.<br /><br />Here are 5 particular aspects that have been major contributors to the depressing start:<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Shoddy Defense</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align:right;"></div><br /><b>Jean Segura’s</b>4 errors have been most noticeable, but other players have contributed their own gaffes. Fielding percentage isn’t everything, but with a .971 mark, Milwaukee owns the 2<sup>nd</sup>-worst percentage through 9 games. Segura should be fine, but <b>Adam Lind</b>, <b>Khris Davis</b> and <b>Scooter Gennett</b> will be ones to watch.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Power Outage</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpZESjQDFWk/VTFmym0RTeI/AAAAAAAACRI/cHNH4YAePgw/s1600/Braun_BlueSadLookSwing_MichaelSears_JS.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpZESjQDFWk/VTFmym0RTeI/AAAAAAAACRI/cHNH4YAePgw/s1600/Braun_BlueSadLookSwing_MichaelSears_JS.jpg" height="136" width="200"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</td></tr></tbody></table>The Brewers, built on hitting home runs, are dead last in the NL with just 3 bombs (Lind, <b>Carlos Gomez</b>, Segura).<br /><br />They need extra-base hits to succeed as they lack high OBP hitters, so their .327 slugging percentage (2<sup>nd</sup>-worst in NL) has been a reason for their 2.56 runs per game (2<sup>nd</sup>-fewest in MLB).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align:right;"></div><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Opposing Hitters’ Feast&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />In terms of the opposition’s stats, Milwaukee’s hurlers have the worst AVG, SLG and OPS in the league. The struggle to miss bats and avoid the sweet spot on the lumber has led to a 4.39 ERA, 2<sup>nd</sup>-highest in the NL behind the Marlins.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIV0Djg3g68/VTFmzD0oZ-I/AAAAAAAACRU/qUHuZL-RFgA/s1600/Ramirez_StrikesOutInSTLTag_JeffCurry_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIV0Djg3g68/VTFmzD0oZ-I/AAAAAAAACRU/qUHuZL-RFgA/s1600/Ramirez_StrikesOutInSTLTag_JeffCurry_Getty.jpg" height="145" width="200"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Jeff Curry, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Ramirez? Lucroy? Bueller?</b></span><span style=""> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Both hitters have an OPS in the .400s and have combined to go 10-for-65 to start the season (.154 AVG). <b>Aramis Ramirez's</b> OBP is under .200 and <b>Jonathan Lucroy</b> is slugging exactly .200 as the two have a total of 2 RBI and 4 runs scored.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><br /></div><b><u><span style="font-size:large;"> </span></u></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Runners on Base and Scoring Said Runners</b><span style=""><b>&nbsp;</b> </span></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />The Brewers have been nearly polar opposites in this area when it comes to pitching and hitting. Milwaukee pitchers have allowed the highest batting average, slugging and OPS with runners on base and runners in scoring position (RISP). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Opponents’ numbers with RISP - .387 AVG, .412 OBP, .656 SLG, 1.068 OPS</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, the offense has actually put plenty of guys on base, but they continue to come up short in the most important column – runs. They aren’t the worst in RISP offensive categories or with men on base in general, but they’re in the bottom third across the board. In the team’s 7 losses, they’ve had 72 runners and scored only 12 times.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Brewers numbers with RISP - .219 AVG, .275 OBP, .375 SLG, .650 OPS</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">--------------------------------------------------------</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Again, it’s still extremely early and these are small sample sizes, so as much as people get tired of hearing it, this may just be a bad stretch magnified by the beginning of the season. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XIrEuVor8I/VTFmygjDOpI/AAAAAAAACRQ/y6iNOHft5aU/s1600/Lohse_WeirdFaceWhites_JeffreyPhelps_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XIrEuVor8I/VTFmygjDOpI/AAAAAAAACRQ/y6iNOHft5aU/s1600/Lohse_WeirdFaceWhites_JeffreyPhelps_Getty.jpg" height="255" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Jeffrey Phelps, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>Statistics like hitting with runners in scoring position can often be a fluke or luck and not terribly predictive; however, I do believe there can be validity in them when looking at the type of hitters on a team and their mental approach.<br /><br />Unfortunately, because these can’t truly be measured or predicted, many people discount them altogether.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Only time will tell if the above issues keep trending or swing the other way, but 9 games into a baseball season (5.6%) is far too soon to be in the <b>105.7 FM the Fan’s</b> Done Club.</div><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-8708135571942043208</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2015 13:14:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zSTzhCtjiM/VTFmysF9mdI/AAAAAAAACRM/Ve6wXK__9K0/s72-c/Gennett_EjectedAfterK_BennySieu_USATODAYSports.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>Two Spots Are Suffocating the Milwaukee Brewers Lineup : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/two-spots-are-suffocating-milwaukee.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/13/2015</b><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a></i> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>6:00am</b></i><br /><br /><br /><br />Entering Sunday afternoon's contest, the <b>Milwaukee Brewers</b> were feeling better about their offense following a 6-0 win over the <b>Pittsburgh Pirates</b> Saturday night.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeWYZTm7rhU/VSvfazCNWtI/AAAAAAAACQg/W1YldbhxDk4/s1600/Lucroy_WatchingPopUpCU_White_AP.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeWYZTm7rhU/VSvfazCNWtI/AAAAAAAACQg/W1YldbhxDk4/s1600/Lucroy_WatchingPopUpCU_White_AP.jpg" height="250" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">AP Photo, Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>The problem was, despite the "breakout" game, production has been non-existent in the two most important spots in the lineup: &nbsp;the two-hole and cleanup.<br /><br />For a myriad of reasons, the guys batting second and fourth should be your best overall hitters, and they tend to have the greatest impact over the course of a season. Milwaukee didn't get the memo.<br /><br />While I still believe the offense will be the strength of the club, <b>through the Brewers' first six games they averaged a measly 2.67 runs per contest.</b> <br /><br />Without three aces on the staff, that won't cut it. Hence Milwaukee's 1-5 record following a 10-2 loss on Sunday.<br /><br />Look no further than the two aforementioned spots in the lineup to find the biggest reasons for failure. Let's examine the stats after the team's first six games:<br /><span style="color:red;"><br /></span><span style="color:red;"><b>Batting 2nd: &nbsp;.042 AVG/.115 OBP/.125 SLG/.240 OPS, 2 runs, 0 RBI </b></span><br /><br />This has been almost all <b>Jonathan Lucroy who is 1-for-20</b> to begin the year. To say he has struggled would be an understatement. He did hit a couple of hard balls for outs, but overall he has looked out of sorts hitting into a pair of double plays and striking out three times.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;margin-right:1em;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NErXCtOjPLA/VSvfbaabz9I/AAAAAAAACQw/lZCDKM7ArPM/s1600/Segura_PinstripeHRSwing_TomLynn_AP.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NErXCtOjPLA/VSvfbaabz9I/AAAAAAAACQw/lZCDKM7ArPM/s1600/Segura_PinstripeHRSwing_TomLynn_AP.jpg" height="237" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>Lucroy's bat will come around, but being cold early has killed the Crew.<br /><br />Manager <b>Ron Roenicke</b> gave him the day off Sunday and went with hot-hitting <b>Jean Segura</b> in the two-hole. Well, that didn't work either. Segura came in batting <b>.400, but went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.</b><br /><br />Combined, the number two hitters have <b>reached base just three times in 26 plate appearances</b>. Unfortunately for the Crew, the cleanup hitters haven't fared too much better:<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:red;"><b>Batting 4th: &nbsp;.167 AVG/.200 OBP/.167 SLG/.367 OPS, 1 run, 0 RBI, 0 extra-base hits</b></span><br /><br />This spot belonged to <b>Aramis Ramirez</b> for the first four games. Many people, including yours truly, didn't believe Ramirez belonged in the cleanup role anymore, and he proved us right early on. His bat looks slow and devoid of much power, a pair of legitimate concerns for a middle of the order bat.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLpWtAi9uyI/VSvfaw0IeNI/AAAAAAAACQc/Lp2Vh1kaJz4/s1600/Ramirez_ArmsOutAfterK_BennySieu_USAToday.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLpWtAi9uyI/VSvfaw0IeNI/AAAAAAAACQc/Lp2Vh1kaJz4/s1600/Ramirez_ArmsOutAfterK_BennySieu_USAToday.jpg" height="179" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports</td></tr></tbody></table>At Ramirez's suggestion, he and <b>Adam Lind </b>swapped spots in the order on Saturday. Lind was <b>8-for-13 with four extra-base hits (1 HR) and 4 RBI</b> prior to his move to cleanup.<br /><br />In two games hitting 4th, <b>Lind went 1-for-7 with 0 RBI</b>.<br /><br />Unless your pitching is lights out, getting those types of numbers from the two most valuable positions in the batting order will be death to a ball club.<br /><br />It should be a concern, but we also need to accept this could simply be a bad stretch.<br /><br />As noted, Lucroy will come around and hopefully they can rely on someone else in the cleanup spot (I'd still vote <b>Carlos Gomez</b>) before the hole gets too deep. Perhaps playing on the road will do the trick like it did last season.<br /><br /><i><b>In 2014, the Brewers averaged 1.3 runs per game in their first three home games, then hit the road where they tallied 7 runs a contest on the club's opening road trip, where they went 6-0.</b></i><br /><br />Here's to better days ahead for the sticks - up and down the lineup.<br /><br /><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-2236477605562743467</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2015 08:39:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeWYZTm7rhU/VSvfazCNWtI/AAAAAAAACQg/W1YldbhxDk4/s72-c/Lucroy_WatchingPopUpCU_White_AP.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>A Milwaukee Brewers Six Pack of Bold Prognostications : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/a-milwaukee-brewers-six-pack-of-bold.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/8/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>7:00am</b></i><br /><br /><br />Along with making educated guesses on <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/official-2015-predictions-rite-of.html">team records, playoffs winners, MVPs and Cy Youngs</a>, coming up with some bold predictions (sure to go wrong) is also good for the soul.<br /><br />Keep in mind they're meant to be a bit "out there" and more likely to be awful than accurate. Perhaps you'll think I'm not going out on enough of a limb, but I'd argue nearly every prognostication qualifies as bold.<br /><br />My efforts don't stretch to unreasonable or impossible. They remain within the realm of plausible actuality, though it would most likely take exceptional play from one or multiple Milwaukee Brewers to reach each feat.<br /><br />Feel free to dispute or contradict these brazen forecasts and - even better - come up with a bunch of your own.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;"><b>Khris Davis Blasts 30 Home Runs</b></span><br /><br />The 27-year-old left fielder should be hitting his prime and has displayed the type of raw, authentic power club's salivate over. Davis fought a nagging injury and lost playing time to <b>Gerardo Parra</b> to still hit <b>22 long balls</b>.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KO_QQ3_bvOA/VSbqu75i3bI/AAAAAAAACPY/Ymu7xRl5GWA/s1600/Davis_LeftMS_PinstripesHR_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KO_QQ3_bvOA/VSbqu75i3bI/AAAAAAAACPY/Ymu7xRl5GWA/s1600/Davis_LeftMS_PinstripesHR_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="213" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>He also connected for <b>37 doubles</b>, second on the team to the record-setting Jonathan Lucroy.<br /><br />With a touch of maturity, patience and valuable experience at the dish, Davis is poised to turn a handful of those two-baggers into dingers.<br /><br />If the Brewers are wise, he'll be THE starter in left, allowing him the comfort and confidence to bash the ball all over Miller Park.<br /><br />Thirty homers may not sound bold at first, but consider <b>only 11 players reached the 30 HR mark last season in all of baseball (3 in the NL)</b>, and you'll realize it's become a relative rarity these days.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;"><b>Brewers Lead the National League in Home Runs</b></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;margin-right:1em;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vDVwR9jOETM/VSbqu0SuHbI/AAAAAAAACPc/AMdF6oQjo9o/s1600/Braun_RightCU_GrayFollowThru_ChristianPetersen_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vDVwR9jOETM/VSbqu0SuHbI/AAAAAAAACPc/AMdF6oQjo9o/s1600/Braun_RightCU_GrayFollowThru_ChristianPetersen_Getty.jpg" height="217" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Christian Petersen, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>The club finished <b>5th in the NL in 2014</b>, hammering <b>150 HR</b> - still 36 long balls behind last year's leader, the Colorado Rockies. Part of this prediction's boldness lies in the Rockies existence alone. Batting in homer-friendly Coors Field gives them the automatic edge in the tater department.<br /><br />Could the Brewers really take over Colorado in 2015, potentially needing another 40 HR to reach the top by year's end?<br /><br /><br /><br />Keep a few things in mind... <br /><ul><li>Ryan Braun's damaged thumb limited him to only <b>19 HR</b>.&nbsp;</li><li>Khris Davis will have his jump to <b>30 HR</b>. </li><li>Of Lucroy's <b>53 doubles, 5-7 will turn into HR</b> in 2015 (much like Davis).</li><li>Adam Lind destroys right-handed pitching and has a short porch in RF (<b>20+ HR</b>)</li><li>If the Brewers are smart with Aramis Ramirez, he should add a few to his <b>15 HR</b> from '14</li><li>Carlos Gomez still has scary power, and if he hits leadoff all year, lots of extra at-bats </li></ul><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:large;">Bullpen Has Most Strikeouts per 9 Innings (K/9) in the NL</span></b><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phFhQ6qV36Y/VSbqvoqjIpI/AAAAAAAACPo/kHJH_2b2NKU/s1600/WillSMith_Back_DarkBlueToss_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phFhQ6qV36Y/VSbqvoqjIpI/AAAAAAAACPo/kHJH_2b2NKU/s1600/WillSMith_Back_DarkBlueToss_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="213" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>For the past two seasons, the <b>Cincinnati Reds</b>' relief corps has been the NL's best in K/9 thanks in large part to Aroldis Chapman's 173 MPH fastball. He owned a ridiculous <b>17.7 K/9</b> last season as the Reds bullpen ended with an <b>NL-high 9.67 K/9.</b><br /><br /><b>In 2014, Brewers relievers finished with an 8.90 K/9</b> and are poised to step up their whiffs this season. If Milwaukee gets full seasons from <b>Jeremy Jeffress,</b> <b>Jonathan Broxton</b> and <b>Tyler Thornburg</b> - men who all missed large chunks of times for different reasons - the Brewers' pen is full of K's.<br /><br />Here are some K/9 stats from 2014 that show some major promise.<br /><ul><li><b>Smith</b> - 11.8</li><li><b>Broxton</b> - 10.5</li><li><b>Rodriguez </b>- 9.7 </li><li><b>Thornburg</b> - 8.5</li><li><b>Cotts</b> - 8.5 </li><li><b>Jeffress</b> - 7.8</li><li><span style="background-color:yellow;"><i><b>Blazek - 8.8 (minor leagues)</b></i></span></li><li><span style="background-color:yellow;"><i><b>Henderson - 12.1 (career; only 11.1 IP in 2014)</b></i></span></li></ul><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:large;">Six Different Brewers Finish With an .800 OPS or Better</span></b><br /><br />The last club to boast <b>six .800+ OPS hitters was the 2011 Texas Rangers</b>. Especially in today's muted offensive environment, it's extremely difficult to own a lineup with such depth. The Brewers have the type of power to rely on a high slugging percentage to get them to this mark.<br /><br />They also play in a ballpark conducive to extra-base hits and inflated offensive stats, presuming they stay healthy and avoid long slumps like in 2014. Of the 8 starting position players, I'd count five virtual locks and 2 potential hitters in the mix.<br /><ul><li><b>Lucroy:&nbsp;</b> .831 OPS over the past 3 seasons (.837 in 2014)</li><li><b>Gomez:</b> .838 OPS over the last 2 seasons (.833 in 2014)</li><li><b>Lind:</b> .856 OPS combined the past 2 seasons (only 318 plate appearances in 2014)</li><li><b>Braun:&nbsp;</b> Career .918 OPS, and despite a severely impacted swing in 2014, a .777 OPS</li><li><b>Davis:</b> Improved patience and additional HRs take his .756 OPS in 2014 over the top</li></ul><br />Lucroy and Gomez are virtual locks as both their OBP and slugging have been stellar the past couple of seasons.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FszUM9yoVI/VSbqvRv--bI/AAAAAAAACQA/2jW2O2T1nQQ/s1600/LindHR_HighFiveLucroy_TomLynn_AP.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FszUM9yoVI/VSbqvRv--bI/AAAAAAAACQA/2jW2O2T1nQQ/s1600/LindHR_HighFiveLucroy_TomLynn_AP.jpg" height="188" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Tom Lynn, Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Lind averaged an .857 OPS</b> the last two years as his dominance against righties carried the weight. Braun owns a <b>career .917 OPS</b>, and even with a severely impacted swing in 2014, still ended with a .777 OPS.<br /><br />Improved patience from Davis will up his OBP, while those additional long balls will boost his slugging percentage. The combo should be enough to get his <b>OPS from .756 to over .800 </b>on the year.<br /><br />That leaves us with <b>Aramis Ramirez (career .840 OPS)</b> as the most likely 6th man to reach the .800 mark. Injuries and age will be the most challenging factors to his performance. Scooter Gennett and Jean Segura are far less likely as neither have elite on-base skills or power. Gennett could possibly flirt if he had a career year in average (to up his OBP) and extra-base hits. <br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:large;">Wily Peralta Becomes Club's First 20-Game Winner Since '86</span></b><br /><br />First of all, let's acknowledge that wins for a starting pitcher are largely out of his control and are often an overrated statistic. At the same time, most of your best pitchers do still reach that magical number in their career - at least once.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:left;text-align:left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNlm_diugus/VSbqvfJhzgI/AAAAAAAACPs/0YhiW6zeG0M/s1600/Peralta_DarkBlueRight_MSFace_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:left;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNlm_diugus/VSbqvfJhzgI/AAAAAAAACPs/0YhiW6zeG0M/s1600/Peralta_DarkBlueRight_MSFace_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="180" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>The Brewers' last<b> 20-game season came from Teddy Higuera in 1986</b>, and the franchise has only two others in its 45-year history: Mike Caldwell (1978) and Jim Colborn (1973).<br /><br />It's really quite sad to see only 3 names on this list. Since the Brewers' last 20-win hurler, there have been 93 occasions when a pitcher has reached 20 victories.<br /><br /><br /><br />Peralta clearly has the stuff to do it and he's now in this third full season as a starter. He will need to rack up more strikeouts, limit the home run ball, and pitch deep into games if he wants to hit 20 this season. With an offense expected to put up runs, it increases his chances at some extra victories. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size:large;">The Brewers Go 30-12 in a 42-Game Stretch </span></b><br /><br />Believe it or not, despite the Crew's hot start last year, their <b>best stretch of 42 games (roughly 14 series) was 27-15</b>. Milwaukee's worst 42-game run was 16-26. The last time the <b>Brewers won 30 out of 42 contests came in 2011</b>.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2mLH7M7QNU/VSbqu8Siu1I/AAAAAAAACPg/YbgAcQQlrGM/s1600/KRod_HandUpBackWhite_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2mLH7M7QNU/VSbqu8Siu1I/AAAAAAAACPg/YbgAcQQlrGM/s1600/KRod_HandUpBackWhite_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" height="214" width="320"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Mike McGinnis, Getty Images</td></tr></tbody></table>The most likely part of the schedule the Brewers can get hot will come from <b>May 25 - July 8</b>. Milwaukee plays Atlanta 7 times and Minnesota 6 times, while also getting series against the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies.<br /><br />Predicting a 42-game run of <b>.714 ball</b> is probably foolish, but these are supposed to be bold predictions. If Milwaukee can pull off a stretch where they are 18 games over .500, it should set them up for a playoff push at the end of the season.</description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-468963265432453933</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:39:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KO_QQ3_bvOA/VSbqu75i3bI/AAAAAAAACPY/Ymu7xRl5GWA/s72-c/Davis_LeftMS_PinstripesHR_MikeMcGinnis_Getty.jpg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> <item> <title>Most Despised Brewers of All Time - The Winner and Newest Member of the Hall of Shame : www.brewersmix.com</title> <link>http://www.brewersmix.com/2015/04/most-despised-brewers-of-all-time.html</link> <description><i><b>by Tim Muma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4/7/2015</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" class="twitter-follow-button" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Muma">Follow @Tim_Muma</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i><b>3:30pm</b></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float:right;margin-left:1em;text-align:right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_3Zg0dz_v8/VSQ85cftqPI/AAAAAAAACOY/axOmS7jpWsM/s1600/Lohse_RockiesHRtrotBehindHim_DarrenHauck_AP.jpeg" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_3Zg0dz_v8/VSQ85cftqPI/AAAAAAAACOY/axOmS7jpWsM/s1600/Lohse_RockiesHRtrotBehindHim_DarrenHauck_AP.jpeg" height="200" width="190"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align:center;">Darren Hauck, Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>With the help of your dedicated votes, fueled by the emotion-ridden memories of Milwaukee Brewers past, we have selected the second Hall of Shame member in franchise history. <br /><br />Somewhat fitting that I'm posting this the day after the Crew's 10-0 drubbing at the hands of Colorado on Opening Day, as it's a gentle reminder of the ugly, ugly past of this franchise.<br /><br />The winner of this year's Most Despised Brewers bracket joins Gary Sheffield in rather elite company in the Hall. We're proud to announce the newest member...<br /><br /><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMlzTXh3g5s/VSQ7NrWEMjI/AAAAAAAACOQ/-rujMDEo3MY/s1600/Final_2015_MostDespisedBrewers.jpg" style="margin-left:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMlzTXh3g5s/VSQ7NrWEMjI/AAAAAAAACOQ/-rujMDEo3MY/s1600/Final_2015_MostDespisedBrewers.jpg" height="428" width="640"/></a></div><br /><br /><span style="color:blue;"><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Wendy Selig-Prieb</b></span></span><br /><br />The former president and CEO's tireless work pushed her deeper into the tournament - much like she continued to dig a deeper hole for the Brewers' hopes as a baseball franchise. It was this type of slow, methodical destruction of a once-successful organization that led the charge to the title.<br /><br />She knocked off the tourney favorite, Jeff Suppan, who met the same fate as his NCAA counterpart, the Kentucky Wildcats (though at least he made it to the Championship Game). It remained close through the contest with Selig-Prieb prevailing 57% - 43%.<br /><br />Her image will now be permanently etched in the annals of unfortunate Milwaukee history with Sheffield, clearly two of the most despised Brewers of all time.<br /><br />She will no longer be eligible to participate in future tournaments, allowing others to step up and prove their lack of worth to the fans.<br /><br />Suppan, Davey Lopes and Jeffrey Hammonds (the rest of the Final Four) are also banned from playing in more despised Brewers brackets as these three enter the Wall of Dishonor in the Hall of Shame.<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed watching, reading and voting this year, and I'm always open to suggestions for the next tourney's set up and the participants.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:large;">First-Ballot Brewers Hall of Shame Members:</span></b><br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-De00KgMvUM8%2FVP_GQttjHDI%2FAAAAAAAAB44%2FKtYmn8szH58%2Fs1600%2FGarySheffield_Card.jpg&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-De00KgMvUM8/VP_GQttjHDI/AAAAAAAAB44/KtYmn8szH58/s1600/GarySheffield_Card.jpg" height="200" width="143"/></a><i><b>Gary Sheffield - 3B, SS (1988-1991)</b></i><br />Known for his volatile personality, intentional errors and general inability to be a decent human being, Sheffield's ego was too big for Milwaukee - and he made sure everyone knew it. He posted a .695 OPS and 21 HR with the Brewers, then went on to hit 488 dingers with a .935 OPS the rest of his career. To this day he hates Milwaukee and the organization, and he's never been shy to trash both, which early in his career included negative comments toward Robin Yount and Paul Molitor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><i><b>Wendy Selig-Prieb - President, CEO (1998-2004)</b></i><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJxyhto59bk/VR6tH0KF_6I/AAAAAAAACME/wVzfKFFnoSM/s1600/SeligPrieb_OldSchoolLook.gif" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJxyhto59bk/VR6tH0KF_6I/AAAAAAAACME/wVzfKFFnoSM/s1600/SeligPrieb_OldSchoolLook.gif"/></a>The daughter of the Brewers' original owner, Bud Selig, she was a tremendous contributor to the steady decline to rock bottom for the Milwaukee franchise. Selig-Prieb played a significant role in the demise, mismanaging the financial and organizational aspects of the club. In 2002, the Brewers finished with the worst record in team history (56-106), 41 games back in the division. Selig-Prieb's impact, long after her departure, made her a no-brainer for residency in the Brewers Hall of Shame.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;"><b>Walk of Dishonor Wing of the Brewers Hall of Shame:</b></span><br /><br /><i><b>Johnny Estrada - C (2007)</b></i>; Other than lacking an arm, athleticism, on-base skills and a strong work ethic...I don't know where I was going with this.<br /><br /><i><b>Ned Yost - Manager (2003-2008)</b></i>; Nervous Ned drove many crazy with mind-boggling decisions, uptight demeanor and condescending attitude. Getting to the World Series makes him even worse.<br /><br /><i><b>Eric Gagne - RP (2008)</b></i>; From blowing his first save chance on Opening Day and slob look, to his PED past and $10M failure, he made quite the impact in one season - his last in MLB.<br /><br /><i><b>Jeff Suppan - SP (2007-2010)</b></i>; Signed to add a "winner" and "veteran presence" to the Brewers, the ex-Cardinal went 29-36 with a 5.08 ERA. He once owned the highest single-season salary in franchise history and looked broken swinging a bat.<br /><br /><i><b>Jeffrey Hammonds - OF (2001-2003)</b></i>; Another free agent failure, Hammonds earned $29,798 per plate appearance. Ryan Braun has made just $29,224 per game. Some don't remember his time in Milwaukee...most will never forget and hate themselves for it.<br /><br /><i><b>Davey Lopes - Manager (2000-2002)</b></i>; Rated highly in anger and foolish, stubborn pride, Lopes did everything he could to make enemies. Fired in favor of Jerry Royster (ouch!), Lopes even managed a tie in a regular season game - that might make him the worst of all.<br /><br /></description> <author>Tim Muma</author> <guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1820021224921680594.post-5225341980763155663</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2015 13:32:00 +0000</pubDate> <media:thumbnail height="72" url="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_3Zg0dz_v8/VSQ85cftqPI/AAAAAAAACOY/axOmS7jpWsM/s72-c/Lohse_RockiesHRtrotBehindHim_DarrenHauck_AP.jpeg" width="72" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"/> </item> </channel></rss><!-- fe5.yql.bf1.yahoo.com compressed/chunked Thu Oct 1 20:01:44 UTC 2015 --> 
