Two nights in a row Milwaukee Brewers starting pitching goes deep into games pitching for what should have been a well deserved win. Two nights in a row the team surrounding those starting pitchers failed them. First it was Randy Wolf in game 1 VS the Cubs. Wolf went 7 scoreless innings only to turn things over to Kameron Loe and the Brewer bullpen. Loe gave up one run in the 8th inning. Not to pin everything on Loe, who has taken his fair share of criticism so far, but its good to keep in mind the offense was an even bigger disappointment than the help that Wolf didn't receive from his bullpen....
We move on. Last night Yovanni Gallardo gets the start-pitches great- 7 Innings 1 ER and 10 strike outs...In the eighth RR decides to go with Marco Estrada with a three run lead. Estrada lasted a third of an inning before giving up the lead and just like that off of a home run from Aramis Ramirez.
Two games in a row where Brewer starting pitchers pitch well. And two games in a row where their bullpen blows it. So what is the solution? Trade? Bring someone up from the minors?
I think I will hold off on the whole trade idea until closer to the deadline. I would like to see exactly what the Brewers bullpen will look like when guys come back from injury. Lets remember Manny Parra(probably doesn't matter), Takashi Saito, Brandon Kintzler, and Mitch Stetter. The Brewers even when these relievers do come off of the injury list may still have to make a trade or two for someone. I'm just saying don't jump the gun and do it out of reaction.
As far as who should be in that eighth inning role..I can eliminate Marco Estrada right off the bat. I have said it before and I'll say it again...How about LaTroy Hawkins? He has been almost unhittable so far. As far as Loe is concerned...I am not as down as him as many people are. His record is not good (2-6). ERA is high as well at 5.23. To me its more of a hit or miss with Loe. He has made 36 appearances. Many of those 36 have been scoreless innings. The problem is that for the most part when it rains for Loe it pours.
NOW on to just as big of issues..The Brewers last night were 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position. I don't think I need to say anything more about that.
And what did we just see? Really? RR decided to pitch to Castro last night with a runner on third and 1 out and Bring the infield in with Ryan Braun as the 5th infielder. Ramirez would have been next and he loves grounding into double plays. There are a million and one ways to score from third with 1 out if your the Cubs. And Castro(who was the hottest player in the line up) found just one of those ways. Shoot it over the outfielders head. Even if Corey Hart catches that ball last night the runner is going to score from third. If you walk Castro you set up the potential double play which gets you out of the game.
Today is a new day...Lay of RR a little bit. I know I just criticized him. But I believe he is a good manager and will continue to learn and become a better manager. We cant hate every manager we have Brewer fans...Although I understand your frustrations. And I am not overlooking them at all. He has made his mistakes..just don't forget some of the good moves he has made as well. One more note..If your going to get on RR get on the team as a whole for being...oh say....2-16 with runners in scoring position.
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