As of this publication, Colin Bennett has not yet returned to his home. He is presumed to be drunk and extremely emotional.

(more…)

John Axford has struggled in 2013; but does he deserve a demotion? Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Fans who are hoping to see Milwaukee Brewers closing pitcher John Axford sent down to the minor leagues will have to wait. According to manager Ron Roenicke, the Brewers have not discussed demoting the once prominent closer despite his 0-3 record and 9.95 ERA. He has yet to record a save this season and has already given up six home runs in just over 12 innings.

Here’s what Roenicke had to say about the possibility of demoting him:

No, it’s not [under discussion]. We feel he can get it back together. We saw him do it last year, and still feel that he can do it.

After four straight appearances with giving up at least one run to start the season, Axford reclaimed his velocity and location. He held opponents scoreless over his next six appearances while only giving up two hits. However, his success didn’t last long. In two innings so far in May, Axford has given up four runs and only managed to throw a complete inning once.

Fans are fed up with Axford, apparent by the boos that are rained down when he enters and leaves a ballgame. But sending him to the minors is not the answer. He will figure his stuff out soon, just like he did in 2012. If I were Roenicke, I would throw him into a save situation and just see how he does. If Axford succeeds, his confidence will be through the roof.

What are your thoughts? Do you think John Axford should be sent to the minors?

Follow @JSchu23

Axford has had his struggles but some fans take it too far. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Before I go any further, I feel it’s necessary to remind you that baseball players are human beings, they breathe just like you and me. Personally attacking a player after giving up a home run or striking out in a crucial moment of the game is not only dastardly but it is also embarrassing. Embarrassing for the person spitting the malicous venom and embarrassing for the player getting hit with it as if he did something to deserve it. It’s perfectly okay to be critical of a player’s performance but to launch an expletive-filled tirade at his expense is just shameful. There’s no place for that in baseball or in all of sports for that matter.

Here’s two examples of “Brewers fans” who do way more than just cross the line. Warning: Profanity is used.

John axford needs to be released he has fucked up too many times already

— Peter Francis Geraci (@Cam_Run) April 4, 2013

We all want to kill a guy named John Axford#Disgrace

— Connor Lemmens (@Clemdawg7) April 4, 2013

Can you believe that?

The first tweet is simply ludicrous. Releasing Axford just might be the worst move ever in the history of major league baseball, not to mention the season is only three days old. You’re hunting in the wrong part of the woods if you think the Brewers are better off without him. The second tweet is one of the most disgraceful things I’ve seen on Twitter. It’s despicable and it’s exactly what’s wrong with sports. Some people take games way too seriously. Baseball isn’t about life and death so wanting to take Axford’s life because he had a rough night at the office is sickening. Grotesque tweets like that make me wonder why athletes even have Twitter accounts.

There are plenty of genuine Brewers fans out there who are beyond frustrated with Axford but still give him words of encouragment. And while that gives me hope for humanity, the ugly tweets ruin all of it.

In all honesty, Axford has had one bad game in 2013 as I refuse to include his opening day blown save in that category. He made a one pitch mistake and it cost him, but other than that, he abused the Colorado Rockies hitters. Last night, however, was a different story. The Canadien-born pitcher gave up a career-high five hits, including two home runs that resulted in three runs. Not his best work.

According to manager Ron Roenicke, Axford’s velocity was noticeably down while a rival scout had this to say about his struggles:

Scout on Axford: Hitters seeing release point so well almost as though he’s tipping pitches.

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) April 4, 2013

Many pitchers go through a “dead arm” phase and that just might be happening to Axford now, but if hitters are seeing his release point as clearly as this scout says, then he needs to switch up his delivery.

Despite 2012′s debacle, it’s too early for Brewers fans to fret about Axford. Yet it is never the right time to personally bombard him or anyone else when they don’t live up to your standards. Nobody is perfect but everybody has feelings. So before you take to social media to unleash your thoughts, stop and think about this: Players are human beings just like you.

The majority of us still believe in you, Axford. And the next time you take that mound, you’ll be sure to hear applause.

Leave comments and questions below! Follow Justin and @ReviewngTheBrew on Twitter. Be sure to like us on Facebook, too.

This beard is good…but let’s see if we can do better. Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Well by now you all know that I have a sick obsession with facial hair.  In fact, I double as the “Chief of Stache” for another famous baseball blog…The Hall of Very Good.  So you should not be surprised that this is happening.  I just can not help myself.   

At this point, it would be silly to roll out some John Axford mustache facts because lately my boy has been rocking the beard.  That being the case, I decided to look into some of the gnarliest facial hair in film history for our boy.  Focusing more on beards, or facial accesories formerly known as beards.  As you may or may not know, Mr. Axford has a degree in film from Notre Dame.   And these are not just any options, these are the types of face blankets that will strike fear into all who oppose them. 

For the official record, I would like to point out that in our predictions article last month I said that John Axford would rock a beard at some point this season.  That has already come to pass…so I am kind of a sorcerer now. 

**Due to legal reasons, I am unable to post actual pictures next to each entry…however, I have provided the link to Google images for each option.  As far as I know, that is totally legit**

1) The Dr. King Schultz (Django Unchained)- If you have not seen Django Unchained, you probably should catch that.  It is beautifully violent, and the facial hair is out of sight.  What makes Dr. Schultz’s (Christoph Waltz) beard so amazing is that it doubles as a handle-bar mustache!!  Not only do you have the beard to keep your face warm, but when you feel particularly saucy…you give your stache handles a little twirl.  Any MLB player who saw this movie and then stands in the batters box to face The Ax, while cower in fear.  Maybe he has a tiny single-bullet gun up his sleeve?  Or a nasty 97 mph cut fastball?  Either way, this particular face ornament would be legendary. 

2) The Pai Mei (Kill Bill Vol.2)- I promise that these are the only two Quentin Tarantino movie finalists.  But who isn’t intimidated by a fu manchu that hangs down to mid-chest?  The answer is no one.  Can you imagine Axford striking someone out…walking around the mound…stroking his facial hair…and then throwing it behind his back?  This move would be both intimidating and a slap in the face of would be batters.  Maybe that facial hair comes with instructions for the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, I don’t know.  If this were to become a reality, the growing needs to begin now.  It could be ready to unleash just in time for a playoff run in September.

3) Bill the Butcher (Gangs of New York) – This would be a new take on an old classic.  Yes, John would have to bring back the handle bar mustache and keep that baby nice and waxed (which was not a problem in 2011).  Here is the catch, now you have to add some sweet turn of the century mutton chops to the equation.  In the film, Daniel Day Lewis is one of the baddest dudes on the planet…in large part because of that amazingly sophisticated manscaping.  I already know that #59 can rock the handlebar, but with the current beard it would be only too easy to shave that into some rocking mutton burns. 

4) The Captain Barbossa (Pirates of the Caribbean 1-4) – You may be asking, “Lou, why him and not Capt. Jack Sparrow”.  The answer is simple…chin braids are dumb and pirates were not the type of people who would go out of their way to sit in front of a mirror so that they could braid their chin hair.  There I said it.  Barbossa looks like a real pirate.  I can look at that guy and genuinely believe that he was at sea 340 days a year.  What makes this particular facial scraggle unique, is it’s lack of fullness.  This is an unhealthy beard.  Maybe that is what happens when you have scurvy…or are undead for many years.  In spite of all that, this beard would look terrifying on Axford.  Plus, we could all pitch in and get him a little monkey who never seems to die…plus we cold teach it to steal gold coins. 

5) The Dr. Loveless (Wild Wild West) – Look, we all know this movie sucked…big time.  However, British master actor/director Kenneth Branagh rocks one of the most intricate facial hair configurations of all time.  In the old west, the facial hair made the man..or in the case of this movie, half of a man.  Either way, when you consider that this was done with an old school razor (in theory, of course obviously Hollywood has fancy tricks), it makes this one of the baddest looking beards in the history of film.  The mustache portion is pretty standard, but the beard…oh, the beard.  In the region commonly known as a soul patch, now resides what looks like a whales tale.  Then, rather then having facial hair running up the side of his lips, he has cleaned that out…and given his beard wings.  WINGS!!!  ON HIS BEARD!!!!  Ridiculous?  Kind of.  Amazing?  Yup.  I would love to see our Canadian closer slamming the door while rocking this amazing facial affair. 

Alright John, I know you are going to read this.  So, which one will it be?  How about you, the readers, what would you like to see Axford done this season?

Previously dependable arms like closer John Axford and set-up man Francisco Rodriguez had… well… less-than-stellar seasons. Axford picked up steam as the season went on, but there was no excuse for his major drop off between 2011 and 2012. We’ll get more into that later.

The Brewers sent the majority of their bullpen packing after last season. Rodriguez, along with Jose Veras, Manny Parra, Kameron Loe, and Livan Hernandez were all relieved of their duties by the Brewers, and it was up to Doug Melvin and the rest of the front office to fill the massive holes.

Let’s take a look at next season’s likely bullpen, including new names, old names, roles, and expectations.

Spot Starter/Long Reliever: Tom Gorzelanny

Gorzelanny was one of the pieces picked up by the Brewers to fill their bullpen void, and he’s not going to disappoint. Gorzelanny is a starter by trade, turned into a reliever last season by the Washington Nationals. Gorzelanny pitched in 72 innings, struck out 62, put together a nice 2.88 ERA and was equally as effective against lefties and righties (Gorzy is a lefty himself). As a starter first, Gorzy has an expansive repertoire of pitches, something that is uncommon for most relievers who rely on two pitches. His four-seam fastball has gained more life in relief, sitting around 92-94 MPH. He mixes that in with a tw0-seamer, a mid-80s change-up, a low-80s slider, and an upper-70′s curveball.

Spot Starter/Long Reliever: Mark Rogers

I have Rogers just missing making the starting rotation to start the season in favor of Chris Narveson. Narveson has the benefit of experience and being a lefty, and Rogers has an expansive injury history, so the bullpen might be the best way to acclimate Rogers to the majors full-time. With no minor league options left, you can bet he’ll at least be in the pen. Rogers obviously has a strong repertoire, slinging a mid-to-high 90s fastball, a biting slider in the mid-80s, a change-up also in the mid-80s, and a curve in the upper-70s. Rogers is a strikeout pitcher all the way, but has the endurance of a starter. It’s a matter of control with Rogers, who has struggled to maintain control in the minors, but has done a decent job of holding off on free passes in the majors. A 3.1 BB/9 between his two major league call-ups is solid, and his 9.6 K/9 is good enough for a solid 3.06 K/BB ratio. Rogers has what it takes to be a starter, and will get the call to start over Gorzelanny when the time comes.

Middle Reliever: Brandon Kintzler

Kintzler is a big-time wildcard for this group of relievers. He primarily throws two pitches—a good, hard fastball in the mid-90s, and a slider in the mid-80s. With these two pitches, Kintzler can strike out plenty of batters, though his major league sample size is limited. in 38.2 career innings, Kintzler has a K/BB of 8.8. Control isn’t a huge problem, but it can be a concern for anyone with the kind of heat that power pitchers like many of Milwaukee’s relievers have. Kintzler performed well during his time with Milwaukee last season, and he could definitely see at least 50 innings in the majors this season as long as he can perform. Think of him as a potential replacement piece for Jose Veras.

Middle Reliever: Burke Badenhop

After a career season with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Brewers snagged Badenhop in a trade for a minor leaguer likely never to see the major leagues. Not a bad trade for the Brew Crew. Essentially a carbon copy of Kameron Loe, just more effective. In 2012, the sinkerballer pitched in 62.1 innings, struck out 42, had a 3.03 ERA, a WHIP of 1.203, and excellent control. Despite the relatively low strikeout rate of 6.1 batters per nine innings, he still managed a 3.50 K/BB ratio, meaning he has excellent control and does a great job pitching to contact, as any sinkerballer should. A good repertoire of a low-90s sinker, a low-80s slider, and the occasional change-up in the mid-80s will keep batters on their toes. Depending on how Kintzler performs, and if the Brewers decide to use Michael Gonzalez in more than lefty relief, Badenhop could be the go-to seventh-inning keeper.

Middle Reliever/Lefty Specialist: Michael Gonzalez

One of my favorite additions of the offseason, Gonzalez is wildly effective against left-handed hitters, average against righties, and altogether a solid pitcher, capable of being either a specialist, a middle reliever, a set-up man, or even the closer. His mid-90s fastball and his low-to-mid 80s slider carry his repertoire and both have great movement and bite. Gonzalez is a big time strikeout pitcher, having a career major league K/9 of 10.3, and has carved out an effective major league career, having a career 2.94 ERA. Command is an issue at times, and he has the propensity to give up walks, which could hurt him in hitter-friendly Miller Park, where extra men on base could always spell trouble. Still, I love the addition of Gonzalez, and I’m excited to see what Roenicke decides to do with him.

Set-Up Man: Jim Henderson

Jim Henderson, in many ways, is comparable to the man he’ll likely be setting up in John Axford. Henderson, a diamond in the rough pitcher who never saw major league action before 2012, throws high heat with a mid-90s fastball, and a mid-80s slider. Again, sound like anyone you know? Axford, essentially unknown prior to the 2010 season, came out and has become an admittedly up-and-down pitcher, but oftentimes dominant. Henderson displayed consistency in the bullpen when no one else could. He pitched in 30.2 innings to a 3.52 ERA, and managed to strike out 45 batters for a wonderful 13.2 K/9. Again, another Axfordian trait. It’s going to be incredibly exciting to see what Henderson does now that his feet are wet with a full season ahead of him. He’ll likely be defaulted into the set-up man to begin the season, but he’ll have to pitch well to maintain that roll with so many capable pitchers behind him.

Closer: John Axford

No surprise here. Axford, though having a disastrously inconsistent season in 2012 after a completely dominant 2011 campaign, will go into the season as the undisputed closer. As far as stuff, few pitchers have what he has. The upper-90s fastball and mid-80s slider/upper-70s curveball baffle hitters when Axford is in control of his pitches. Despite an high ERA of 4.67 and the atrocious stat of nine blown saves, which nearly tripled his career blown save count, which now sits at 14, Axford still has what it takes to be elite. The differences between 2011 and 2012 are shocking, but he’s still going to be the unquestioned anchor of this pen. Brewers fans are hoping that the Ax-Man either returns to 2011 form, or finds a happy middle-ground between 2011 and 2012. Articles can, will, and have been written about Axford’s inconsistencies, but it’s spring training time, and we’re going to see if Axford can carry the momentum he had exiting the 2012 season into 2013.

The Outsiders Looking In: Tyler Thornburg, Kelvim Escobar, Michael Olmsted

We all know what Tyler Thornburg is capable of. He’s been one of the best pitchers in the minor league organization, and he did a decent job in his call-ups last season with the Brewers. It won’t be enough to get him a roster spot from the start of the season though, as he’ll likely be starting in AAA to get more starting experience to continue grooming him for a future spot in the rotation.

Escobar was a low-key pickup by the Brew Crew, but could be a huge wildcard if things play out like they could. The former Major League stalwart has done it all. Started, relieved, and closed, and he has done all of those things well. He has a career ERA of 4.15, 1507.0 innings pitched, 1310 strikeouts for a K/9 of 7.8, but there are control and injury concerns. Injuries derailed his career in 2007, but at a still young-ish 33 years old, there’s still hope for the vet. This offseason, scouts clocked his fastball in the mid-90s, and it looks like Escobar is ready to make it back to the majors. Just don’t expect it to be at the start of the season.

Michael Olmsted is the most under-the-radar move that the Brewers made this season, stealing him from the Boston Red Sox organization for practically nothing. Olmsted is 25, has pitched across the world, but has never made it to the majors despite his domination in the minors. Last season he obliterated minor league hitters, compiling a 1.52 ERA in 59.1 innings while striking out 92 batters, giving him a ridiculous K/0 of 14.0. In Double-A, Olmsted pitched in 20 innings and did not give up a single earned run. That’s right, a 0.00 ERA in AA. It’s almost entirely thanks to his fastball, which can reach triple digits. Olmsted is a guy to watch this spring, and while he probably won’t start in the majors, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t make his major league debut with the Brewers this season.

Bottom Line

Bottom line is simple. This bullpen, though unfamiliar to the casual Brewers fan who will be baffled by the complete overhaul to start the season, is significantly better than last season. All of them have good stuff, most of them pitching in the mid-to-upper 90s, and the new additions have track records of being dependable, while guys like Kintzler, Henderson, Thornburg, and Olmsted all show signs of being good.

This is a better bullpen than last year. It’s going to be an exciting season.

In Phoenix, Arizona as we speak the Milwaukee Brewers are taking the first crucial steps towards success in the 2013 season, by bringing together the pitching and catching staff to shake off the rust and get back to the business of Milwaukee Brewers baseball.

As usual, leave it to a guy like me to take some of the fun away from a day like today. Though every Brewer fan is excited about the return of baseball, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some things that we will be keeping our eye on.

Here’s three things the Milwaukee Brewers pitchers would be wise to answer in the days to come.

(more…)

Hopefully for the Brewers, Axford’s kinks from last year have all been worked out.  (more…)

Recently, Reviewing the Brew’s very own Colin Bennett released his N.L. Central predictions. You can find them here. He has the Brewers finishing third, behind the annoyingly silly chirping St. Louis Cardinals and the choke artists of last year’s postseason, the Cincinnati Reds. I agree with Mr. Bennett but not without reservations. Milwaukee will have to fight tooth and nail to avoid sitting alongside the miserable Chicago Cubs in the cellar…and nobody wants that.

Ryan Braun won’t be enough for the Brewers to contend in 2013. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

You may ask why I’m being such a Debbie Downer but the truth is, I’m not. The Brewers made three noteworthy moves in the offseason by acquiring Burke Badenhop and signing Tom Gorzelanny and Michael Gonzalez. That’s it. Do you really think those acquistions are enough to skyrocket the Crew into first place? Not a chance. Hell, the Cubs had a better offseason than the Brewers.

The improved bullpen adresses the team’s most blantant problem from a year ago, but it’s not fixed; there’s a difference between the two. Great bullpens have an absolute stud that goes out, takes over a game, and completely shuts the opposing team down. I ask you, who’s that stud reliever for Milwaukee? It was John Axford in 2011 but everyone knows the story of 2012. The Reds had Aroldis Chapman (who’s now a starter) and the Cardinals had a plethora of ridiculously good relievers. The Brewers have none.

Wasn’t one of Doug Melvin’s top priorities this winter to sign a veteran starting pitcher? What happened to that train of thought? What happened was that the Brewers were unwilling to ink a free agent to a deal longer than two years. When that became apparent, free agents turned a cold shoulder and pursued teams who could dim the dollar signs in their eyes. Frankly, the Brewers didn’t have the money and, as a result, the starting rotation is going to suffer. And by suffer I don’t mean pitch a couple of bad games here and there. I’m talking about total disaster.

Yovani Gallardo may be the Brewers ace, but he’s not one of the top pitchers in baseball. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Yovani Gallardo is not a true bonafide ace. Granted, he is the Brewers top dog but he is nowhere near elite. In the five seasons in which he has made at least 17 starts, Gallardo has never posted an ERA under 3.50. That’s impressive for a No. 2 or 3 starter, but not for a so-called “ace”.

While Marco Estrada and Wily Peralta will occasionally show flashes of brilliance, neither of them will have memorable seasons. Estrada gives up home runs like Santa gives out presents; there are just so many. Peralta, just named the Brewers top prospect, is still a year away from figuring out the big leagues. I know he garnered attention while posting a 2.88 era in six appearances (five starts) last season but I’m calling that beginner’s luck. However, watch out for him in 2014.

Milwaukee’s offense won’t be an issue. Unless Aramis Ramirez starts showing signs of old age or Mat Gamel is a horrific replacement of Corey Hart, the bats will be fine. Ryan Braun can’t go down with a season-ending injury, though. That would destroy any shred of hope.

With all my negative talk and gloomy expectations, I have probably made some of you think I despise the Brewers. But I promise that I love them and would give both my kidneys to see them reach the postseason this year. Sadly, that’s not what the future has in store for Ron’s Wrecking Crew but I shall have my fingers crossed nonetheless.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season? Do you believe the Brewers can compete? Leave comments and questions below! Follow Justin and @ReviewngTheBrew on Twitter. Be sure to like us on Facebook, too.

(more…)

(more…)