Brewers keep on rolling, sweep Astros

It was two weeks ago today that I wrote an article about the Brewers having a “lack of heart”.  Since that article was published on July 25th, the Brewers have gone 11-1.  Now, I am not taking responsibility for this, but it is a lucky coincidence, right?  This sudden turnaround is not solely based on heart, but I do suspect that it has something to do with it.  For the first time all season, I feel comfortable when we take a lead early in the game.  There is a certain aura of Austin Powers style “Mojo” going on in Brew city.  As of this afternoon, the Milwaukee Brewers are 15 games above .500 on the season.  The Pirates and Reds are as good as dead in the division race.  Tomorrow the Brewers have the day off, then we take on the 2nd place Cardinals in St. Louis.

After taking 2 of 3 from the Cardinals earlier in the week, the Brewers proceeded to sweep the Astros with relative ease.  Likewise, the Cardinals swept the Florida Marlins, so the Cardinals remain 3 games behind the Crew in the NL Central.  I have every reason to believe the Brewers can pad that lead a little bit more in the coming week.  There is a lot to go over from this weekend, so let’s get right to it.

Weekend Round-up 

– Craig Counsell did not take my advice, but he did release himself from the evil grip of the MLB records books.  In a pinch hit appearance on Friday, Craig reached base safely to move to 1-for-46 (rather than the all-time record of 0-for-46).  This was a record that I did not want to witness, so I am glad he got a hit.  Congrats Craig?

– Corey Hart took a pitch off his hand on Saturday evening.  Fortunately X-Rays came back negative and he is currently listed as Day-to-Day

– Prince Fielder homered on Saturday and Sunday…and had 6 hits….to go with 6 RBI’s.  Let’s just say he owns the Astros pitching staff.

– Zack Greinke added himself to the 10 win list of Brewers pitchers.  Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum were the first two members into this classy club.  Randy Wolf and Chris Narveson are only 2 wins away from joining the elegant social lounge.

–  Not to alarm anyone, Casey McGehee went 0-for-5 and left 6 runners stranded on Saturday.  He had been playing so well, but this was a much more typical performance for this season.  I am rooting for this was just a one time deal.  It did not help that he did not get the start on Sunday.

– The Brewers have yet to sign 2011 top Draft Picks, Tayolr Jungmann and Jed Bradley.  The deadline to sign draft picks is August 15th at 11:59 p.m. ET.  However, the Brewers were able to sign second-round pick Jorge Lopez and fifth-rounder Michael Reed.

– Tim Dillard finally saw some game-time on Friday night.  It was the first Dillard sighting since July 18th.

–  Oh yeah…and Yuniesky Betancourt is one of the hottest hitters in baseball.  His season average is sitting at a very impressive .268.  That batting average has gone up over 40 points in the past 5 weeks.  It’s amazing how much better the team has gotten since the bottom of the lineup started producing.

Scores

Friday – Brewers 8  vs  Astros 1     ( W. Gallardo (13-7), L. Happ (4-14))

Saturday – Brewers 7  vs  Astros 5     (W. Narveson (8-6), L. Myers (3-12), S. Axford (32))

Sunday –  Brewers 7  vs  Astros 3     (W. Greinke (10-4), L. Norris (5-8))

It was a great weekend.  This Brewers team is doing everything right, they just need to keep that going.  One of the keys to being the division big dog, is feeding on the weaker dogs.  There is no question that the Brewers deserve to be where they are, now they just need to find a way to harness all of this good energy.

I am hoping that I can get a series preview lined up with Redbird Rants, our FanSided Cardinals joint.  Even though I recently voiced my distaste for a certain Manager Tony LaRussa, my hope is that the fellas over at Rants can look past that.  It was nothing personal guys.

Happy Monday everyone.  If you are feeling down today and need a little pick me up.  This is my newest guilty pleasure.  If you love mustaches and facial hair, this is the show for you.  I watched the first episode and it took my breath away.  Check it out right here.

Go Brewers!!!!!