Reviewing the Brew » Series previews

Brewers vs. Reds Series Preview with Blog Red Machine’s Tyler Grote

Curt Hogg — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:55:46 +0000

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Brewers-Reds series started Monday night and I apologize for being behind on this post. At least I have a viable excuse for this being a few hours late: school, practice, and straight to Miller Park to catch a torturous 6-1 loss.

The game was, in many facets, a picturesque representation of the Brewers season. Ryan Braun provided the only offense as Milwaukee jumped out to another early lead just to see the pitching blow the lead. The team failed yet again to produce with runners in scoring position and the game remained out of reach.

Tyler Grote (He does The Twitter! @grotet) from our friends over at Blog Red Machine, however, must have b

The shorthanded Brewers play host to the division-rival Reds. (Image: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE)

een joyed by the game Monday night. He assumed the customary role of previewing the upcoming series from the opponent’s point of view.

Reviewing the Brew: Though the Brewers don’t face him in this series, Mat Latos pitched a great game on Sunday in a shutout win over the Pirates. We’ll see him down the road sometime this season, so do you think he’s finding his groove, so to speak?

Blog Red Machine: If you check his numbers, you’ll notice Latos has traditionally been horrendous in the month of April for his entire career. For the months of March/April, Latos is 2-8 with an ERA of 5.73. His ERA is under four for every other month. Fans in Cincinnati were a little skeptical initially, but it looks like he’s simply playing to the tune of the back of his baseball card.

RtB: Offensively, what’s the key to Cincinnati’s success?

BRM: The success of the Reds begins and ends with #19. Joey Votto is the catalyst. When the Reds are struggling offensively, it will mainly be because of the inability of guys in front of Joey (Cozart, Stubbs) to get on, or, the guys behind Joey (Phillips, Rolen) fail to make teams pay for walking him. Joey Votto leads all of baseball with 26 walks – the next closest guy has 21. Teams know who to test on this Reds team – it’s not Joey. Jay Bruce has come into his own of late as wekk – he’s tied for third in baseball with eight homeruns while batting a cool .300. Reds fans are dying to see this kid hit 4 behind Votto, but Baker is incredibly hesitant to bat two lefties back to back.

RtB: How has the bullpen adapted to the loss of would-be closer Ryan Madson for the season?

BRM: Sean Marshall has made the loss of Madson a little easier to cope with. He’s got 5 saves in 6 attempts. But in all honesty, Marshall is not a closer. The last two years with the Cubs, he posted a lethal ERA under 3 as a set-up specialty man. Ideally, that’s what he’d be doing here. The Reds’ bullpen, in general, is trying to stay afloat while dealing with lingering injuries to late-inning relief guys like Nick Masset and Bill Bray. These injuries are also the reason you’re still seeing Aroldis Chapman putting in set-up work. The assumed consensus is that he’ll enter to rotation when the bullpen is back to health.

RtB: Brewers fans are slowly watching their team lose ground in the NL Central. What are the hopes right now for the Reds to catch St. Louis?

BRM: I’m not sure about the Brewers, but I know for a fact the Reds play a combined 54 games against the Astros, Cubs and Pirates combined. These are games where teams like the Reds, Brewers – teams that plan to contend, have to really make hay. The Reds went 9-6 against the Cardinals last year, but 2011 still turned out better in St. Louis. Games against the Birds are somewhat important, but not nearly important as collecting the massive amount of Ws in the NL Central that you’re supposed to. Clean up against these guys, you stay in the hunt.

Somebody wake me up and tell me the first month of the season doesn't count? (Image: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE)

RtB: Looking at the probables for the series, which matchup intrigues you most?

BRM: I like Cueto and Greinke. Cueto has been phenomenal to start 2012 and he’s really establishing himself as one of the premiere aces in baseball. Cueto boasts the 3^rd best ERA in baseball right now, and Greinke has seen a bit of success against the Reds. This could be one of the quicker games we see.

RtB: Johnny Cueto (4-0, 1.31 ERA) has been nearly unhittable for the Redlegs thus far. What do the Brewers have to do to get runs off of him, especially with a stagnant offense.

BRM: Getting to Cueto early in incredibly essential. The Pirates has an opportunity to get to Cueto early in the game – when he works out of jams and hits cruise control, he’s virtually untouchable. One thing that’s important to note – Cueto is not a strike out artist. He not only allows, but he wants batters to hit his pitches – they usually go for outs due to Cueto’s exceptional ability to disguise his release point. He does so by hiding the ball by showing his back to the batter before delivery. With the exception of opening day, he’s allowed five or more hits every outing, including seven allowed to the Pirates.

The Brewers will definitely have their shots at Cueto – it’s simply about making them count. There won’t be many.

RtB: As a Reds fan, which Milwaukee hitter not named Ryan Braun scares you the most at the plate?

BRM: Any other year, I would have said Rickie Weeks with ease; however, he’s struggling mightily. Aramis Ramirez has never really been friendly to the Reds, regardless of the uniform he’s wearing. With the exception of Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake, Aramis has nearly a .300 or better against every other Reds’ starter – including Cueto.

RtB: By the end of the series, which Reds player will I hate the most? Dat Dude BP? Votto?

BRM: When considering which Reds will bite you, it’s always safe to assume Joey Votto. Your pitchers will pitch around him, and when they don’t, he has a knack for making them pay. Brandon Phillips is still struggling as his mini-slump endures. He’s sitting at .215 with two home runs; however, he is hitting a cool .280 against Gallardo in 25 at bats, so it’s possible he could show up as early as tonight.

RtB: Thanks for your time!

BRM: Thanks for having me. We’re looking forward to a competitive series.

Brewers vs. Giants Series Preview with Around the Foghorn’s Amanda Gill

Curt Hogg — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:39:53 +0000

Thursday’s off day for the Brewers had to be nothing short of a godsend after a forgettable series in San Diego. What’s in the past is in

Matt Cain will take the mound against the Brewers on Sunday. (Image: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE)

the past, right? After being shutout in the final two games of the series, including a paltry display against He Who Shall Not Be Named on Wednesday’s rubber match, it gets no easier for the Brew Crew. They face a lethal combination of the three aces of the San Francisco Giants at one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league. Now would be a great time for some bats to catch fire.

To preview the upcoming series, one of my closest Fansided colleagues and fellow high school student Amanda Gill (Follow her on The Twittter @mandalynngill) from Around the Foghorn answered questions about the Giants’ pitching, the Kung Fu Panda, and Tim Lincecum’s hair.

Reviewing the Brew: With the Giants’ three aces (Bumgarner, Lincecum, and Cain) all starting in this series, which one do you expect to give the Brewers the most troubles and which one is most vulnerable?

Around the Foghorn: Probably the most vulnerable is Lincecum, in my opinion. A lot of his dominance is based off him having confidence. Matt Cain is calm, cool, and collected no matter what. And Bumgarner has great stuff. So, I believe that Lincecum is the most vulnerable because he is still building up his confidence after a not-so.-great start to the season

RtB: After a rough, rough start, Lincecum has a 0.69 ERA over his last two starts (both wins). Is he returning back to Cy Young form?

"The Freak" and his locks of beauty. (Image: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE)

AtF: I do believe his is returning back to form. Having a start against the Padres(a team he pitches very well against) really helped get his confidence up. His fastball velocity has been down from last year, but I believe that is not a concern. As we’ve seen with guys like Barry Zito and Jamie Moyer, location is more important than fastball velocity. Lincecum can sometimes be a head case, this game is very mental, and if Lincecum is not mentally prepared to pitch, hitters can get to him.

RtB: Both the Brewers and Giants have gotten some bad luck with injuries in the past week. Who will fill in for the injured Kung Fu Panda, Pablo Sandoval?

AtF: Conor Gillaspie is expected to be the third base replacement for Sandoval. However, no one can really replace the Panda. He really secured that number three spot in the order for the Giants, and his energy andenthusiasm for the game will be missed on the field. Arias, Buriss, and Theriot could also see time at third base.

RtB: Madison Bumgarner has held opponents to two runs or less in his last nine starts at AT&T Park. Is he much like Zack Greinke in that he dominates at home?

AtF: I believe that as a very young pitcher, Bumgarner has more confidence pitching in his home park. However, I think that Madison has filthy stuff anywhere he pitches. He is not always devastating at AT&T, last year he had a start against the Minnesota Twins where he did not get out of the first inning. So yes, I believe he is very dominant at home. But I also believe that the longer Bumgarner pitches in the big leagues, the more confident he will be on the road.

RtB: Would you be devastated if your boy Braun didn’t play in this series? (Sore achilles)

AtF: As a Giants fan, I do not have a problem with the 2011 NL MVP not playing against my team. As a Ryan Braun fan, I will be saddened to not see him. I love him as a player, he is well-educated and well-spoken, great for the game.

RtB: Nyjer Morgan got the whole San Francisco crowd riled up last season with his antics in center field. Do you expect there to be a

Plush riled up the Giants crowd last season. Will the same occur in this series? (Image: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE)

rough greeting toward him?

AtF: Giants fan do not forgive. I do believe there will be a rough recpetion for him, though I do not think it will be too bad. That is, unless he decides to get the crowd riled up again.

RtB: Now for the question of the night: Why is Tim Lincecum so sad?

AtF: Probably because he hadn’t gotten his adorable haircut yet

Brewers vs. Padres Series Preview with Chicken Friars’ Dominic DiTolla

Curt Hogg — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:55:16 +0000

The Brewers continue their road trip with a three-game set on the West Coast against the San Diego Padres, who come in at 7-16. Ideally, this would be the time for the Brewers to catch fire and get over .500 with a sweep, but the Padres are not to be taken lightly. As per usual, to preview the series, I interviewed a Fansided writer for the opponent. This time, Domonic DiTolla (he’s on The Twitter @DominicDiTolla) of Chicken Friars previewed the upcoming series.

Reviewing the Brew: Looking at the probable starters for the series, what would be the one game definitely worth staying up late for (in Milwaukee)?

Chicken Friars: It has to be the Gallardo vs. Luebke matchup on Wednesday during the afternoon (3:35 PST) (well afternoon for us in the Pacific Time Zone). Luebke, 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA, has been pitching well since taking a Loss in his opening start against the Dodgers, and has emerged as San Diego’s “Ace” at this point in the regular season. If you are interested in watching any Padres pitcher this season, and do not follow the team at all, take some time to watch the young Lefty take the mound.

Padres pitcher Cory Luebke is off to a 3-1 start. Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

RtB: I drafted starting pitcher Cory Luebke in my fantasy league and he’s off to a great start. What’s been the key to his success and how will he handle Brewers hitters?

CF: Luebke has been doing a great job of getting ground ball outs and keeping his pitches low. Also his control has been terrific as he has only Walked 8 in his 5 starts on the season. While his Strike Out totals have not been especially high (23 in 31 Innings Pitched), he still gets the big outs, he pitches with good/decent velocity deep into games, he is the staff’s most consistent pitcher, and last week outdueled Roy Halladay at Petco in a 2-0 Shutout.

RtB: Does playing the series in Petco Park give the advantage to the Brewers or Padres?

CF: Petco obviously gives an advantage to the home team since they play in front of the home crowd. However, manufacturing runs is key in the spacious ball-park where dingers are scarce. Thus, the team which can manufacture runs will win the game. San Diego has been atrocious in 2-Out hitting/Men in Scoring Positions situations this season, and their shoddy record reflects said issues.

RtB: From a Padres standpoint, which Brewers player not named Ryan Braun scares you the most at the plate?

CF: Corey Hart would probably be the hitter which scares me the most. He’s leading the team in Home Runs (6), RBI (13), and extra-base hits (14). Plus he’s hitting at a .286 clip, which is nothing to scoff at either, plus he’s a good baserunner. If there is any hitter in the lineup not named Braun to make a mistake to, it’s Hart in my honest opinion.

RtB: Chase Headley leads the team with four homers and 14 RBI–has he been the most impressive Padre?

CF: Headley is sort of the best Padres position player by default, only because the rest of the starters have struggled so mightily at the plate this season. If you included the Pitching Staff it would be Luebke, but Headley has been the team’s most consistent hitter. He leads the team in Homers (4), Doubles (6), RBI’s, and Walks (19), but is only batting .253. His On-Base Percentage is high (.394), but because the team can’t hit with guys in scoring position, it is a somewhat moot stat. Props also must go to 4th Outfielder Chris Denorfia who has hit .302 with 1 Home Run, 4 Doubles, and is logging a .388 OBP in 43 At-Bats. Denorfia has always answered the bell when his number has been called during his career here, and is a fan favorite of many.

RtB: It’s been a rough start for San Diego. If they don’t pick it up soon, do you see them calling up any top prospects or trading away

Time to stay up late for Brewers baseball! Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

guys?

CF: Well, our editor Justin did a piece on the team trading away injured Outfielder Carlos Quentin who has yet to play a game for them. Rumors are swirling that Orlando Hudson could be released also. As for prospects to call-up, two young starters in Tucson (Casey Kelly) and San Antonio (Robbie Erlin) could make their major league debuts this season and figure to be lynchpins of the rotation for a very long time.

RtB: The weakness of the Brewers has been a shaky bullpen thus far. Veras, Loe, Parra, and K-Rod have all been stagnant. Do you think the Padres can take advantage of this?

CF: It would be nice to see the Padres take advantage of Milwaukee’s shaky bullpen, but the bats are cold in San Diego for most of the hitters, and they have been since Opening Day. The team as a whole is ranked 29th in Batting Average (.213) and 27th in Slugging Percentage (.322). Who knows though? Maybe this is the series they decide to turn it around. At least, I hope they can.

RtB: Andy Parrino has more home runs than Albert Pujols. Thoughts?

CF: *Laughs*. Well played, sir. Well played. Can’t stand Pujols myself after the NLDS’s of ‘05 and ‘06, yet that’s another matter entirely. But still, it’s pretty incredible how much he has struggled at the plate, and the Angels have struggled as a whole.

RtB: Thanks for the time and Go Brewers!

CF: No worries. Glad I could be of service. Go Pads!

Probable Pitchers:

Monday- LHP Randy Wolf (1-2, 7.17 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Weiland (0-3, 4.76 ERA).

Tuesday- RHP Shaun Marcum (1-1, 4.13 ERA) vs. RHP Edinson Volquez (0-2, 3.60 ERA)

Wednesday- RHP Yovani Gallardo (1-2, 6.08 ERA) vs. LHP Cory Luebke (3-1, 2.61 ERA)

Brewers vs. Astros Series Preview with Climbing Tal’s Hill’s Alex Sandoval

Curt Hogg — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:52:57 +0000

The Brewers cap up a nine-game homestand with three games against the NL Central rival Houston Astros. After sort of an unassuming first six games (Brewers went 3-3), a good series against the 6-10 ‘Stros is just what the doctor prescribed.

Don’t take Houston lightly, though. They definitely aren’t your father’s multi-colored Astros, but at least they aren’t your 2011 newborn’s Astros. They rely on a flurry of young talent with players such as Jordan Schafer, JD Martinez, Bud Norris, and Jose Altuve after dealing away former veterans Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, Lance Berkman, and Roy Oswalt in the past two seasons.

To preview the upcoming series, senior staff writer and all-around awesome dude Alex Sandoval(@LEXthePEX–follow him for ‘Stros, Rockets, and Texans insight) from our friends over at Climbing Tal’s Hill answered some questions regarding the Astros, who are set to enter the American League West in 2013.

A series win for the Crew could help get them back to .500. Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Reviewing the Brew: Coming off a not-very-fun season, what’s the outlook on the Astros for 2012?

Climbing Tal’s Hill: To be perfectly honest, expectations were very limited coming in. I think most realistic Astros’ fans and experts expected anywhere between 90-100 loss team but really that’s irrelevant. We’re looking for development and to start weeding out the guys who could be here down the road and who are stop-gap guys.

RtB: Obviously, Houston is in rebuilding mode and has a lot of guys with bright futures. But with the upcoming switch to the American League this off-season, which young player should Brewers fans be most worried about this season?

CTH: Right now, the heart and soul of the young position players is J.D. Martinez. The kid has started out very well and just seems like someone who could develop into an above average talent. Jose Altuve is beginning to turn heads like he did through his minor league career and Jordan Schafer seems like he is beginning to live up to his potential as a leadoff guy.

RtB: The rookie Lucas Harrell toes the rubber against Zack Greinke in the series opener. What can we expect to see from him and what’s

I would say Lucas Harrell is a name for Brewers fans to get used to...but Houston is switching leagues. Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

the key to his success?

CTH: Harrell is an interesting guy, not a stud but seems to know how to pitch and locate. He isn’t a top of the rotation guy but so far he has either been very good or pretty bad. Look for a battler and someone who will depend on his fielders to make plays for him.

RtB: From an Astros standpoint, what worries you most about this Brewers team?

CTH: The Astros have faced a string of top-notch pitching this past week and with the guys the Brewers have lined up this week vs the Stros, it appears to continue. I think the Astros can hold the Brewers down a bit offensively, with the guys we have going, but can they score enough to win off Milwaukee’s staff?

RtB: Amidst a flurry of blooming players, who is the one Astro whose name we may not hear much but we should keep an eye on?

CTH: Astros have a ton of young players but the one guy that might see some time in Milwaukee that will surprise is Marwin Gonzalez. The kid is a rule 5 pickup from Chicago that has turned heads so far. With Jed Lowrie returning from the DL, he hasn’t seen as much time recently but before that he was playing excellent defensive SS and seemed to hold his own at the plate. This guy is a pleasure to watch at SS and if he can develop a decent offensive game, he has gold glove type skills. Maybe not this week but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gonzalez at SS and Lowrie at 3B long-term.

RtB: To me, at least, it seems Bud Norris always silence Milwaukee’s bats. Should I be worried about his Tuesday start?

CTH: You should be, especially if Braun continues to struggle. Norris has a chance to be a very good #3 guy, with the potential to be a solid #2 down the road. He still needs to learn to work deeper into games, a patient team can wear him down but he has strikeout stuff. Once Wandy Rodriguez is traded, and he will be, Norris will be the ace of the Astros rotation.

Not sure who's off to a more fashionable start: JD Martinez or those throwback Colt 45's unis. Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

RtB: J.D. Martinez has three homers and 14 RBI to start the season–has he been the most impressive Houston hitter?

CTH: I’d say so, like I mentioned above, he has been the heart and soul of the offense. The guy seems to have the right approach at the plate. Not sure he is a 3^rd hitter but for now, he has done just fine. If Schafer and Lowrie get on base in front of him, odds are Martinez will drive them in. He has also shown improvement in the power game. That was his one big question mark coming up the minors; he seems to have worked on an upper-cut stroke. He hit the 1^st homerun at Marlins Park, which when you play there, you’ll see is a really tough homerun park.

RtB: Obviously, the Brewers were the last team to switch leagues. What are the hopes for Houston as the team switches to the American League after this season?

CTH: I think survival, at first, is the hope right now. Honestly, the fanbase is pretty upset and nervous about the move. You see what the Rangers are doing and potentially what the Angels will do and it’s a bit scary. This and next season is all about development but by 2014, the Astros top prospects Jarred Cosart, George Springer and Jonathan Singleton should be in the starting lineup which will be when the fans start to look more closely at the W/L column. I think most everyone understands losses are secondary to development right now and next season, regardless of league.

Didn't invite El Caballo to your cook out party? It's okay, he'll still be there for the sausage. Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

RtB: One last question: Is Carlos Lee slower than last year? Is that possible?

CTH: WOW…you’ve hit a major hot button with Astros’ fans. Look, the guy has started off slow but I’m sure will pick it up eventually and, crossing our fingers, will eventually get dealt for something of value. We hope sticking him at first will hide some of his defensive issues and he starts to hit as he usually does. At this point, we’d take him smiling, hitting home runs and not screwing up to badly at first.

RtB: Thanks for the time, man!

CTH: No problem, it was my pleasure. Good luck on the season, seems like with Gallardo, Grienke and Wolf you guys have a great shot of taking the central once again.

Brewers vs. Rockies Series Preview with Rox Pile’s Hayden Kane

Curt Hogg — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:51:25 +0000

Coming off two wins in a positive series against the Dodgers that was saturated in drama, the Colorado Rockies make their first trip to Miller Park of the season. The Rockies (6-6) are in the same boat as the Brewers after winning back-to-back games against the Padres. To preview the upcoming series, we quizzed Rox Pile staff writer Hayden Kane (follow him @hwkane!) on all things Rockies.

Probables:

Friday- RHP Jhoulys Chacin (0-1, 5.63) vs. RHP Shaun Marcum (1-1, 3.46)

Saturday- LHP Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 10.38) vs. LHP Chris Narveson (1-1, 7.00)

Sunday- RHP Jeremy GuthrieS (1-1, 7.79) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 4.58)

Reviewing the Brew: Michael Cuddyer has been the top producer for the Rockies this season. How much impact has he had in the middle of the lineup?

Rox Pile: Cuddyer has not only been the most productive bat in the middle of the order; he has been the best player on the team. The Rockies would not have been able to salvage their recent homestand if not for Cuddyer and Todd Helton, because Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki are both still trying to get things going. Cuddyer has been the steadiest presence so far, consistently giving them quality situational at-bats. He is even tied for the team lead in stolen bases.

RtB: With the teams only squaring off in two or three series a year, some Brewers fans may not be familiar with all the Rockies. Who are some names we may not know much about but should keep a close eye on in this series?

RP: The player who might be generating the most buzz in the early going is actually a guy who is probably familiar to Brewers fans from his time in the NL Central: Tyler Colvin. In addition to him, you will see two of the most important prospects in the Rockies system during this series: catcher Wilin Rosario and starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz. Rosario brings a big, powerful bat, and the team has invested heavily in developing his defense so that they can see his bat in the big show. Pomeranz is the prize from last season’s Ubaldo Jimenez trade. Both are being asked to make meaningful contributions this season while also developing on the fly.

RtB: Offensively, Troy Tulowitzki’s been scuffling a bit at the plate in the early going. Is there any worry surrounding his start?

RP: The biggest worry about Tulowitzki right now is his defensive struggles. He has already equaled his total number of errors from last season with 6, including two multi-error games. His streakiness at the plate is normally something we are willing to live with, but right now the concern is that he might be letting his defensive issues leak over into issues at the plate.

RtB: The three probables for Colorado are RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Drew Pomeranz, and RHP Jeremy Guthrie. What can we expect to see from these guys?

RP: The Rockies need Jhoulys Chacin to be an ace, right now, if the team is going to surprise anybody this season. He has struggled ever since his strong first half last season, in which he looked like a potential all star. If he locates his fastball, he can be filthy. If he doesn’t, the other team usually roughs him up. As I mentioned, Pomeranz is a huge name for the Rockies right now. He was dynamite in spring training, but struggled in his first start. His main problem that day was the ineffectiveness of his secondary pitches. We are still trying to figure out what to reasonably expect from him ourselves. Jeremy Guthrie was supposed to be a stabilizing presence, and while he has pitched deep into a couple of games, he certainly has not been fooling hitters. Rockies fans are hoping for a turnaround, but he has been imminently beatable in his first few starts. If he pitches the way he has so far in Milwaukee, you can expect the Brewers offense to get healthy off him.

RtB: How does, if at all, playing away from Coors Field affect both the pitchers and hitters for the Rox?

RP: The notion that hitters are leaving some home run hitting paradise when they leave Coors Field simply isn’t true in the post-humidor era. But there are other factors that make Coors very friendly to hitters, namely the great batter’s eye and the huge outfield gaps. Those advantages are reflected in some tilted home/road splits, but it has more to do with the other traits I listed and less with the thin, mile high air. The hitters have to adjust when they leave those advantages, and sometimes that means that the offense sputters in the first few games of a trip. I think the effect on the pitchers, albeit a less tangible one, is that they get a bit of a psychological boost knowing that they get to pitch in other parks that are less friendly to hitters.

RtB: From a Colorado standpoint, which Brewers slugger not named Ryan Braun scares you the most?

RP: For me it’s definitely Rickie Weeks, who just wears out Colorado pitching. I’m definitely scared of him based on his history against them, even if he has seen less of the starters this weekend. I’ve thought of him as a Rockies-killer for a while now, and it seems that the numbers bear that out.

RtB: Even at 38, Todd Helton is still going strong. How many years left of production does he have left in him?

RP: I think he has at least 2 or 3 more years left. I might not have felt that way a couple years ago, but Helton has finally embraced the fact that he needs to take more days off. Now that he understands that, he is cutting it loose at the plate and hitting like the days of old.

RtB: What has been Colorado’s biggest strength and their biggest weakness through the first two weeks?

RP: The biggest strength has been the bullpen. Whether they need to eat innings to bail out a bad start or they need to lock down a lead, they have been outstanding. That especially goes for Matt Belisle and Esmil Rogers, who have helped tremendously with their versatility. The only concern is that they have been overworked, which is something that probably needs to change sooner rather than later. The biggest weakness is the starting pitching, which ranks near the bottom in almost every category you can think of. The starters have struggled with command and have not pitched deep enough into games. With his historic victory aside, Jamie Moyer has been the most consistent pitcher, which ultimately is not going to work. Honorable mention for biggest weakness goes to their horrific defense thus far. It was supposed to be a strength, but they have booted it as much as any team in baseball and it has cost them more than one win.

RtB: Thanks for the time and, of course, Go Brewers!

RP: Anytime!

Brewers vs. Dodgers Series Preview with Lasorda’s Lair’s Jeremy Dorn

Curt Hogg — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:48:33 +0000

After a deflating three-game sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves, the Brewers return to Miller Park for a three-game set against the white-hot Los Angeles Dodgers.

Following a walk off victory on Sunday, the Dodgers are sitting atop the National League West with an MLB-best record of 9-1. If you haven’t noticed because of the “West Coast factor”, it might be time to take note of the boys in blue. Matt Kemp is off to another phenomenal start, leading the league with six home runs, their pitching has been outstanding, and….well, I’ll let Jeremy Dorn of fellow MLB Fansided network site Lasorda’s Lair take it from here.

Reviewing the Brew: (Pending the outcome of the current game), the Dodgers are an MLB-best 8-1. What have been the early keys for the Dodgers’ hot start?

Andre Ethier channels his inner Carlos Gomez and slides past the tag in a Spring Training game against the Brewers. Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Lasorda’s Lair: A lot of people will point to the schedule so far as a major factor for the hot start. It doesn’t hurt to play the Padres and Pirates in the first ten games, but I’m confident the Dodgers would be off to a good start against any competition. Dee Gordon is hitting just north of .150, but when he gets on base he’s impossible to stop. The formula has been simple: Gordon gets on, steals 2nd, Mark Ellis moves him to 3rd, Kemp or Ethier brings him in. So, the Dodgers have gone up early in almost every win. Our starters have been locating well and getting ahead of hitters. And of course, the man, the myth, the legend, Matt Kemp, is absolutely on fire.

RtB: In your opinion, can the Dodgers keep this up and make a run in October?

LL: They can’t keep THIS pace up, but yes, they can make a run. At the start of the season, I thought a Wild Card spot was being optimistic, but now I’ve got my sights set on a run at the N.L. West title. Chad Billingsley, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Ted Lilly have started hot and if we can get good production out of them, this team is much tougher than people expected. I’ve been saying all along though, that the lineup is underrated. People still claim Kemp is the only threat. Well tell that to the catchers who have had to try and throw out Dee Gordon, or the pitchers who have been raked by Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera. I think they’ll challenge for the division, and be competitive in the playoffs.

RtB: Matt Kemp always has a tendency to crush the Brew Crew (.301, 5 HR, 20 RBI) and already has 6 homers this season. Outside of him, which players in Dodgers blue should we watch out for?

LL: I mentioned it briefly above, but you’ve got to keep an eye on a few guys. Obviously Gordon at the top will wreak havoc if he gets on base, and he likes to swing early in the count. Throw him junk, and you’ve avoided one huge problem. Andre Ethier is also on fire and a legitimate MVP candidate when healthy. He does have a little trouble against lefties, though. And maybe one dark horse guy is James Loney. He’s only got a couple hits this season, but that’s exactly why the Brewers should be keeping an eye on him. He’s due, and he’s been hitting the ball hard, just right at people. When Loney gets hot, he gets REAL hot and can go a couple weeks hitting over .400.

RtB: The Brewers caught a break in missing Clayton Kershaw in this series, but Chad Billingsley has been spot-on in his first two starts.

Chad Billingsley is off to a 2-0 start for the Dodgers. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

What’s the key to his success?

LL: Location, location, location. Bills has always had good stuff and tons of potential. He reminds me of a Matt Cain-type of pitcher if he would just put it all together. And so far, this season, he has. His fastball explodes and his breaking ball is sharp. But in seasons past, he would struggle to locate and tend to overthrow. For some reason, he’s corrected these problems and has been hitting the target like nobody’s business. If Billingsley finally lives up to his potential, the Dodgers have a great 1-2 punch.

RtB: Carlos Gomez or Dee Gordon: who’s faster?

LL: Dee Gordon definitely. Obviously Gomez, Gordon and Peter Bourjos (the other comparison that seems to come up) are all exceptionally fast, but maybe we should leave this answer to A.J. Ellis and Jonathan Lucroy…

RtB: The biggest news the Dodgers have made this calendar year was the purchase of the team by a group led by Magic Johnson. Can he change the dynamic of the organization and are you excited about the new ownership?

LL: I’m incredibly excited about the new ownership! It was like a sickness for the past couple years among Dodgers fans with the McDivorce drama hanging over our heads. I love that it finally gives the organization some financial flexibility and a group of people that actually want to return the team to prominence. There is no better new face of the ownership than Magic Johnson. He’ll definitely be changing the dynamic of the Dodgers – more with his wallet than anything. I’d love to see them go out and make a play for Cole Hamels if he’s still a free agent after the 2012 season.

RtB: These two teams are headed in opposite directions to open the season, so I’m going to try to give Brewers faithful some positive thought: How can Milwaukee come away with a series victory?

LL: They can’t. Just kidding, just kidding. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but getting Dee Gordon out would be a huge step towards winning games and the series. Matt Kemp can be walked, but not if there’s already runners on base. Brewers hitters also have to jump on our pitchers early. They’ve been very good at getting ahead of opposing batters.

RtB: Who is the best player on the Dodgers that the average fan might not yet know about?

LL: Javy Guerra, no doubt. He still isn’t a household name because of his service time thus far, but he is as calm and cool a closer you’ll find. He’s converted all but two save opportunities since taking over in the middle of 2011. Guerra is not your typical closer; he throws a few different pitches and doesn’t have overpowering stuff. But he’s got a great head on his shoulders and knows how to work batters.

Ahh, girl look at that Braun-y. Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

RtB: I’d like to get a viewpoint on the subject from the standpoint of a Dodgers fan, especially after this off-season. Did Matt Kemp deserve the MVP over Braun? And if Braun had been suspended 50 games, should he have returned the MVP award?

LL: I was hoping you would ask about this! I’ll answer the second part first. And, no. If anything, the award should have been vacated. And Matt Kemp agreed with that when asked after the Braun news broke. As for deserving the MVP, yes. I just don’t believe that a guy who had the 3rd-highest vote getter for MVP hitting behind him all season can really be the most valuable player in the league. I understand that Milwaukee made the playoffs while the Dodgers were only three games over .500, but Kemp’s WAR was 10.0, far and away the best in baseball. Without him, the Dodgers easily lose 90 games. Without Braun, the Brewers are still in Wild Card contention (though they probably miss the playoffs). I’ll stop there, but I could talk about this for hours!

RtB: Thanks for your time!

LL: No problem! Looking forward to this series!

Make sure to follow Jeremy on Twitterand stay up to date with all Dodgers news at Lasorda’s Lair.

Scouting the Opponent: Brewers-Cubs Preview with Cubbies Crib’s Andrew Denny

Curt Hogg — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:51:43 +0000

After taking one of the first three games in the season-opening series against St. Louis, the Brewers head on the road to face the division-rival Cubs in a four-game set at Wrigley Field. The Cubs could very well be 3-0, but are, instead, 1-2 as the result of two blown leads by relievers Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol.

March 10, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum (33) shakes hands with Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke (right) before the game at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

To preview the upcoming series with the Cubs and give a brief season preview of the North Siders, I chatted with fellow Fansided network writer Andrew Denny from Cubbies Crib. Follow Andrew on Twitter and “like” Cubbies Crib on Facebook.

Benjamin Orr previewed the entire series for Reviewing the Brew earlier today. Make sure to give that a look here.

RtB: You’re Dale Sveum. How do you handle the situation at the back end of the bullpen after two blown leads in the eighth or later?

CC: Closers are a different breed of cat. You almost have to be delicate with them so that you don’t mess up their rhythm or any of their tendencies. Obviously, they’re out there to win games for you, but when they start to blow saves, you have to take note. I say continue to trust your two finishers, Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol. They’re veterans and know the game. Two consecutive hiccups is bad, but not time to hit the panic button just yet. You’ve also got guys like Rodrigo Lopez waiting in the wings for an opportunity to close and he’s been sharp this spring. Stay the course for now… no time to do anything crazy.

RtB: Who is the “X-Factor” for the Cubs in this upcoming series?

CC: Starlin Castro has been strong as ever in the opening series for the North Siders. He’s batting .385 and his OPS is a healthy .846. He’s not only been the strongest cub at the dish, but the fastest on the baselines as well, having stolen 4 bases already this season (which matches his entire total for 2010). If the Cubs hope to have a chance against the Brewers, Castro has to stay hot.

RtB: How do you expect the Wrigley reaction to be to Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez after spending nine seasons in Chicago?

CC: I assume it will be mixed reviews. The way Ramirez left Chicago wasn’t the most “elegant” way, but you also have to respect his nine seasons with the cubs. Baseball is his career and at the end of the day you have to understand his desires. I personally would applaud him, but some fans with a few Old Styles in them may think otherwise.

RtB: Jeff Samardzija picked up the first win for the Cubs this season on Sunday with 8 and 2/3 impressive innings. What can we expect from him for the remainder of the season?

CC: First of all – wow. What a gem this guy threw against Washington on Sunday. Considering he’s a relatively unknown up and comer, its hard to say if he’ll be able to maintain that of level of high execution. Take into account the mental pressure he must have felt now earning a spot on the rotation, you can assume he’s not easily shook. I think he’ll be consistently good – not quite great – at the 3rd spot in the rotation pending his health.

RtB: Which Cub impressed you the most (besides Samardzija) this weekend against Washington?

CC: I have to say Starlin Castro again. He’s putting up power hitting numbers and is stealing bases like a lean speedster. Its a rare mix!

RtB: Realistically, is this “the year” for the Cubs or are those hopes a bit too far-fetched?

CC: Lets put it this way – the Cubs dont have a hope in hell of winning the world series this year (it hurts to type that hahah). Ask again in 2014-2015, and I’ll probably have a different answer for you.

RtB: What qualities does Dale Sveum bring to this team that are different from the previous manager, Mike Quade?

CC: Quade felt like he managed the team much more loosely than Sveum. He was more tuned to the players needs vs the needs of the team as a collective. Sveum is a really likable guy too (so say the players) and has a little more personality. Sveum also knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to call on certain players to make changes that will benefit the team as a whole. Im a big Dale Sveum fan.

RtB: Now for the important stuff: I’m headed down to Wrigley for Wednesday’s game with a couple of guys and we’re in the bleachers. Any advice for this first-timer to Wrigley?

CC: Wrigley is such a rustic place so don’t be shy to walk around and really take every corner of the stadium in. Its in need of some renovations though… so try and ignore the ugly stuff. Its really hard to put the magic of Wrigley into words. Its something that you just have to go and absorb. And if you’re taking the L (Chicago’s rail system) don’t be in a rush to get out of there. Street parties break out in front of Wrigley while the goofy vendors try to sell t-shirts and what not and it delays the exit process. Buy a hot dog, grab a beer and enjoy it like any other baseball game.

RtB: Thanks for the time, man.

CC: My pleasure! Lets hope for an exiting series between two classic NL Central rivals this week!

2012 Opening Day: Brewers-Cardinals Preview with Redbird Rants’ Jason Evans

Curt Hogg — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:24:17 +0000

Throughout the year, I hope to be able to preview upcoming opponents through Q&A’s with fellow FanSided writers for the opposing teams. With the season now only four days away for the Brewers, it’s time to preview the season-opening series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead of previewing the Cardinals myself, Jason Evans from our friends at Redbird Rants was gracious enough to answer some questions for a rival team’s website.

Reviewing the Brew: 2011 NLCS: St. Louis 4, Milwaukee 2. 2012 World Series: St. Louis 4, Texas 3. Go ahead and take a few moments to brag as I flash images in my brain of Shaun Marcum giving up gopher ball after gopher ball.

Redbirds Rant: Yeah, David Freese called and said to tell Shaun Marcum he’s the best.

Oct 16, 2011; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum (18) reacts after giving up a three-run home run to St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese (23) in the first inning of game six of the 2011 NLCS at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

RtB: Now let’s address the elephant in the NL Central, or lack thereof, right away. How does St. Louis rebound after losing Albert Pujols, both offensively and defensively.

RR: Obviously, when you lose the best hitter of a generation you’re team will suffer. I think John Mozeliak did the best job possible to “replace” Pujols. He didn’t make the big splashy move, but signing Carlos Beltran was a nice pickup. Lance Berkman needs to have a good year and I think Allan Craig if he’s healthy will get a lot of time. I think it was a better play to go strength in numbers rather than one huge piece.

RtB: David Freese was obviously the October hero for the Cards. What can we expect to see from him in 2012?

RR: If Freese is healthy, he should be a very productive player. He’s not gonna go crazy and put up the numbers he did in the playoffs, however a .280-20-85 season isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

RtB: Name one player on the Cardinals we may not know too much about, but should start paying close attention to this season.

RR: I think John Jay is someone to watch. If he plays well, Beltran can play more in right and Craig can play second. If he doesn’t, Beltran has to play center, which given his injury history may not be the best idea. Craig would be in right and then Greene at second. The defense suffers with Craig at second; however you can replace him late in games.

RtB: How much will having SP Adam Wainwright back after missing 2011 because of reconstructive elbow surgery help the pitching staff?

RR: Any time you add an ace it’s a good thing. Given Carpenter’s nerve issues, a healthy Wainwright is key for the Cardinals to have success in 2012. If he doesn’t pitch well and Carpenter misses a significant chunk of the season I don’t believe the Cards will reach October.

RtB: Who is the dark horse in the Cardinals rotation?

RR: I’m not sure there is a dark horse. I think the rotation is Carpenter, Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook. I think two guys to watch for at some point this season are Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller. I think Lynn will be given first crack to replace Carpenter in the rotation. Miller, I believe at some point in 2012 will be in the starting five. Don’t sleep on Roy Oswalt either being a Redbird by July.

RtB: Mike Matheny is obviously filling some big shoes with the retirement of Tony LaRussa. What different kind of managing styles does he bring?

RR: I think Matheny won’t change pitchers as much as LaRussa does. I think Matheny may hit and run more and he may need to without that Pujols guy. I also think he will evolve as the season goes on and we may not get a good read on his style until maybe next year.

RtB: As a Brewers fan, I, of course, love Nyjer Morgan’s antics. As a Cards fan, what’s your perspective on T. Plush?

RR: I think every team needs a T.Plush kind of character. I think Marlins fans don’t like him either http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR87fyd794k . I think in a lot of ways he’s the heart and soul and if you can shut him down you can shut down the Brewers. He reminds in a lot of ways of Sean Avery.

RtB: Now let’s get down to business. Who’s your pick to win the NL Central?

RR: The Astros. (Just kidding) I think the Reds actually will win the division. I think top to bottom even without Madson they are loaded but I think the Cardinals will be involved in the first ever wild card play in game versus the Marlins.

Follow Jason on Twitter @jasonpevans and subscribe to Redbird Rants, your FanSided home for all Cardinals news and opinion.