BREWERS - 5/30/02
May 30, 2002
LATEST TEAM INFO: (17-36, .321 PCT, 6th Central Division, 14.5 GB)
Everyone knows what the Brewers are about this year. They are a team that is struggling to find an identity. Are they a pitchers team? Are they a hitters team? What do they rely on most? Whatever the answer is, not knowing has sent the Brewers down the drain in the 2002 season. Back to the last homestand that lasted for two weeks. The 13th-16th saw the Brewers get swept in a four game series by the Cincinatti Reds. The 17th-19th saw the Brewers take two of three from the Chicago Cubs. The 21st-23rd saw the Brewers lose two of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers. These dates also marked the Brewers giving up 6 homeruns to Shawn Green including 4 on the 23rd when he went 6-6. The 24th-26th saw the Brewers take two of three against the San Diego Padres.
Work out the math and that comes out to a record of 5-8. That is unacceptable when your team cannot win on the road. I went to seven games out of that homestand and the only thing good I can say about it is, I got a Richie Sexson Bobblehead!
Three games of the roadtrip have been completed with the Brewers getting swept by the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Over the past two weeks that is a record of 5-11. Again, UNACCEPTABLE!
Two of the games in LA were Nationally broadcasted on ESPN or ESPN2. Announcers that covered the games said that the Brewers have a decent team. They have young pitchers that have high hopes for the future. They have batters with great futures like Richie Sexson, Alex Sanchez, and Geoff Jenkins.
Good news for those young pitchers was brought up from Indianapolis over the last homestand. Jamey Wright completed his rehab stint, and is sporting a 1-1 record since his return. He also sported a spot on the "Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Tuesday May 28th.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
Is there still a competitive mindset in the Brewers dugout? Do the Brewers come to the stadium wanting to win or fearing the thought of suffering another loss?
No matter how hard it is the Brewers coaching staff is still trying to figure out a way to get the Brewers back to .500. It seems like it will be a hard task with the brewers being 19 games under .500. Maybe, the Brewers coaching staff is running on fumes but, you can't blame them for trying.
Jerry Royster has commented on what he wants to do with the remainder of the season. He basically said that the Brewers were going to run wild. He is giving off the impression that he feels the Brewers need to play small ball in order to win. This basically means if a runner gets on base, he is off to the next base. The Brewers are a team that can experiment with this because of having speed guys like Alex Sanchez, Alex Ochoa, Eric Young, and Jeffrey Hammonds.
Other news includes Geoff Jenkins. Jerry Royster wants to give him some time off to clear his head. In 2000 Jenkins batted .303 with 34hrs and 94RBI's. The talent is definitely there. No one can figure out what is wrong with Jenkins. So far this year he is batting, .225 with 6hrs and 16RBI's.
Oh year! The Brewers strikeout total is lower at this point then it was at this point last year. All Brewers EXCEPT one has a lower total then he did at this point last year. Jose Hernandez has struck out 67 times in 168 at-bats.
RUMOR MILL:
Curtis Leskanic should be back with the Major League club in early June.
Chad Fox should be back by late June, early July.
When both come back it should be an interesting battle between them and Dejean for the closer's spot.
INJURIES:
Chad Fox (P)
INJURY: April 15th. Elbow
STATUS: DL
Fox has already finished his rehab in Arizona. He has now rejoined the team. He will not be ready until sometime in June as he is continuing to work his way back from a strained elbow ligament.
Jamey Wright (P)
INJURY: April 15. Shoulder
STATUS: Activated
Came off DL and made his first start last week. He looked very good and has a record of 1-1 since his return.
Curtis Leskanic (P)
INJURY: April 15th, Rotator
STATUS: Rehab Stint
Will continue to rehab with AAA Indianapolis.
ON THE FARM:
Brewers called up Marcus Jensen from AAA. He has one hit this year and that one hit is a homerun.
Last week Jamey Wright completed his rehad stint with the Indianapolis Indians.
Curtis Leskanic is making rehab stints with AAA Indy also.
WEEK IN REVIEW:
Brewers started the week by getting swept in Los Angeles. Starting tomorrow they start a 3 game series in San Diego.
QUICK VIEW:
Add:
CF Alex Sanchez (new) - The guy gets on base and has tons of speed. He is a pretty good player.
1B Richie Sexson (hold) - Obviously, he is a superstar for the Brewers. But, he has self proclaimed himself the "Worst first half hitter in baseball". After a dismal start he has raised his average to .264. He also has 14 Homers and 45 RBI's to go with that.
OF Geoff Jenkins (caution) - He has to clear his head. At least that is what Jerry Royster thinks. He is batting .225 with 6 homeruns and 16RBI's. Let's see if the days off help.
SS Jose Hernandez (caution) - Striking out 67 times in 168 at-bats puts him closer to leading the majors by a HUGE margin. His other numbers are decent with him batting .292 with 10 homeruns and 28RBI's.
LHP Glendon Rusch (keep) - Pitching great in every start this year he deserves more wins then he has. However, it just hasn't been working for him. If the Brewers bats can stay alive he will get plenty of wins.
Watch:
RHP Ruben Quevedo (same) - Pitched a complete game shutout against the Padres last week.
RHP Mike Dejean (same) - With the funk that the Brewers started on I would have told you not to pick this guy up. But, the Brewers got the smell of winning with the sweep of the Cardinals. For the series Dejean had 3 Saves in 3 opportunities.
RHP Jamey Wright (new) - After coming back from his injury he beats the Padres and loses to the Dodgers. He has a 1-1 record but, his power sinker is working for him.
Drop:
OF Alex Ochoa (new) - Alex Sanchez has put Ochoa on the bench. The outfield for the Brewers from left to right is Jenkins, Sanchez, and Hammonds. I see no change and Ochoa will be in a pinch hitting role.
