Monday Morning Kegerator

Happy Monday Morning!!  I have noticed recently through our statistics, that most of our viwership happens during the “work week”.  This leads me to believe that many of you need an escape from that thing you call a job.  Since Monday is the Emperor of morning jerks, I have decided to regale you with some tales of the glory this weekend brought to Miller Park.  Not only that, but I also have some very positive injury updates.  I was also able to take in a live viewing of former Brewer Matt LaPorta out here in Seattle.  My full report on whether the CC Sabathia trade was worth it, is located somewhere in this article.  You are going to have all of these things to whisk you away from your spreadsheets and water cooler chit chat about why Russell Brand’s version of “Arthur” wasn’t as good as the original.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy some chit chat about your favorite team and mine, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Cubs Series Re-Cap 

     BREWERS 4  VS  CUBS 7

     The Brewers took a quick 2-run lead in this game, but it did not last.  Rickie Weeks made a crucial fielding error in the Top of the 4th inning, misplaying a fly-ball and letting it drop to the ground.  Randy Wolf did not take the news well, the next batter hit a home-run.  That tied the game at 2 a piece.  Then 2 singles and a home run later, the score was 5-2 Cubs……still in the Top of the 4th.  Brewers got one back from George Kottaras in the bottom of the inning.  Then Weeks committed another fielding error, but that one yielded no runs.  Randy Wolf got the loss, but he was only charge with 2 ER in 6 IP.  In all honesty, I will take that from Wolf anyday of the week.  The team just had some mind flatulence.  George Kottaras had a nice day at the plate, providing the team with 2 RBI’s on two singles.  This was a game that the Brewers could have had, but mental mistakes lead to a crummy loss. 

Lou’s Commentary: Felt bad for Randy Wolf, he really threw a pretty decent game.  Team looked a little lazy at the plate.  Maybe a little hangover from the Braves series.  I had already prepared myself mentally for this one to go in the L columns, just did not think it would go down the way it did. 

BREWERS 6  VS  CUBS 0

     Chris Narveson still has no ERA!!!!!  Can you believe that?  Narvie threw 7 complete innings, giving up 6 hits, no runs, and striking out 9 Cubs.  Price Fielder supplied the offensive show, knocking in 4 runs on 3 doubles.  This was the first three double game of his career.  All three of Fielder’s doubles came against Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza.  Garza got the loss.  Nyjer Morgan had two spectacular catches in RF.  The outfield is much more defensively sound with Morgan and Gomez out there.  Narveson has now thrown 13 innings of shutout baseball this season.  Maybe Narvs is the missing piece to the winning puzzle.  Terrific win. 

Lou’s Commentary:  What an amazing game for Chris Narveson.  He made it look so easy.  Nyjer Morgan had me jumping off of my couch on two separate occasions.  Prince Fielder hit all three of his double to different parts of the field, which is really encouraging to see.  I am glad that he is not trying to hit home runs every at bat.  Now the team needs someone other than Prince and Braun to score consistently. 

BREWERS 6  VS  CUBS 5 

     This game had a playoff atmosphere.  It was the game to decide the series and both teams played like it.  This game was about pride.  Yo Gallardo was just missing with his pitches.  He never got wild, just could not get them in the strike zone…the Cubs made him pay.  Fortunately for Yo, Prince and Brauny had his back.  Fielder hit a monster shot to deep center field in the 1st inning, which evened the game up at 2-2.  When Ryan came up in the bottom of the 3rd, he launched a line drive over the left field wall with Gomez on base.  Which again evened the score at 4-4.  Yo pitched 2 more scoreless innings before he was pulled in favor of the bullpen.  Yo gave up 4 ER in 5 innings of work.  Kam Loe came in and made a wild pitch, which eventually lead to the Cubs scoring the go-ahead run in the 7th inning.  The Cubs held a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the 8th inning.  With 2 outs and a man at first in the bottom of the 8th, Casey McGehee stepped into the batters box.  McGehee launche a rocket into right center field off of Kerry Wood.  The Crew only needed 3 outs to take the series from the Cubs.  That is where Ax man comes in.  John mowed down the heart of the Cubs order to preserve the series victory and draw the Brewers to .500 on the season.

Lou’s Commentary:  This game felt like game 7 of the NLCS.  When McGehee launched the go-ahead bomb, the place erupted like he had won the World Series.  Yo did not look like his usual self, but he was able to keep the Cubs off the board in the 4th and 5th inning.  The Bullpen really looked good, accept for the 7th inning.  Axford has clearly moved on from opening day, so I am officially chalking that day up as a fluke.  Casey stepped up to the plate and part of me knew that this could be huge.  It was an amazing game that will no doubt fuel the Cubs fire for the next time these two play.

Injury Update

• Zack Greinke– After two successful bullpen session, Zack is on pace to be back in the rotation the first week of May.  Greinke claims to feel no discomfort in the rib area.  The team has already scheduled his rehab starts in Triple-A the final week of April.  Barring any setbacks, the starting rotation should be almost up to full strength in just three weeks. 
• Jonathan Lucroy– Lucroy is already up and playing in Double-A as we speak.  The team is really watching to make sure his timing at the plate is where it needs to be.  Lucroy missed almost all of Spring Training, so he is lacking the at-bats most of his teammates got during March.  He should be back in a few weeks.
• LaTroy Hawkins – Pitched two scoreless innings in an appearance at Class A.  He said it felt great.  Hawkins is still recovering from the shoulder surgery that prematurely ended his season last year.  His return timetable is still uncertain.
• Manny Parra – Manny is getting back on the mound this week, in a Class A assignment.  Parra is recovering from a back strain that caused him to leave a spring game after only throwing 2 pitches.  His return timetable is uncertain. 
• Corey Hart – Corey took some fielding practice before Sunday’s game against the Cubs.  In one instance he leapt to rob a home run ball hit by third-base coach Ed Sedar.  In the play Hart really had to extend his ribcage, but claimed to feel little pain.  Hart is scheduled to begin Minor League rehab this week and the team is hoping to have him back by the next home game on April 22nd. 

Was the CC trade worth it?

    On Saturday night, my wife and I went to Safeco Field to take in a Mariners game.  I love going to baseball games, so this is how I have to get my fix.  Last night I was feeling very proud, so I chose to be that guy who wears another teams hat to a baseball game.   Rocking my Brewers hat my wife and I bought some dogs and beer andhunkered down for the most boring baseball game I have ever seen.   Anyway, the Mariner’s were hosting the Cleveland Indians, where a certain Matt LaPorta now starts at first base.  He was really the only player I was excited to see (let’s face it, no one cares about the Indians unless Charlie Sheen is pitching……plus the Mariners have one of the worst lineups I have ever seen). LaPorta is nothing special.  The Indians have him batting 8th in the lineup, below Orlando Cabrera.  If you would have asked me the day we made the trade for CC, I thought this would be the worst deal in history.  Looking at it now, we would have been stupid to not do it.  This also led me to wonder, will this be the same for all of those kids we shipped this off-season?  Maybe, maybe not.  What matters is that the CC trade was without a doubt the right thing to do.  So, we can all collectively let this go now.  I saw it with my own two eyes.

Hope that you all have a wonderful start to your work week.  The Crew is heading to the “Steel City” of Pittsburgh, to take on Nyjer Morgan’s old chums.  Sounds like Marcum will be getting the start to open the series, so that should be a nice way to get the Brewers over the hump to a winning record. 

If you want to read a hilarious article about why everyone in Pittsburgh hates Ty Wigginton, this is the one for you.  Tom Smith over at Rum Bunter does some great work with photo-shop worth checking out.   

Should you really want to make yourself better, click here and enjoy Casey McGehee’s game winner over and over again.  In fact, call all of your Cubs fan friends over and make them watch it with you.  It’s good for them, teaches humility. 

To all of my Cubs fan readers, I want you to know that your team played valiantly.  Sadly, in professional sports no one gets a ribbon for participation.  At least you have a true young talent in Casey Coleman.  You have got to be excited about this kids potential.  Better luck next time losers!!!!!  That goes double for you Chuck……….