LATEST TEAM INFO (38-67, .362PCT, 21.5GB)
Since the all-star break, let's go down the skinny of the schedule for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 11th thru the 14th, The Brewers lose 3 of 4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. The 15th thru the 18th, The Brewers get swept in two, two game series at Miller Park (Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros). The 19th thru the 21st, the Brewers get swept in Colorado by the Rockies in a 3 game series. The 22nd thru the 24th, the Brewers lose 2 of 3 against the Houston Astros at Miller Park. And finally, the 26th thru the 28th, the Brewers are on the right end of a sweep in a 3 game series at Miller Park against the Rockies.
Since the All-Star break the Brewers are 5-12. That further adds to the pressure to fight to get back to .500. The Brewers have to "try" and fight for respectability. Getting to .500 is a VERY long shot. To end the season at .500 the Brewers would have to go 43-14 (currently 29 games under). If the Brewers can do this, everyone in baseball would probably have a heart attack. It is that unlikely. All we can hope for is to take each day for what it's worth. Get a win here and there and try to end the season arund 10-15 games under .500. A very reachable goal is to get off of 20 games under.
Another role that the Brewers can play is, spoiler. All us Brewer fans can look forward to is knocking a couple of deserving teams out of the playoffs. What more could we ask for? Maybe, we could beat the Cubbies some more. We play them 7 more times (4 at Miller Park, 3 at Wrigley). We are currently 7-2 against them and no matter how far under .500 both teams are, intensity is always there for Wisconsin to kick some Illinois butt. It is the same way in football.
In the next week, the Brewers kick off a 3-game series in Atlanta (30-1) and then have a 3-game series in Florida (2-4).
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
What keeps Milwaukee fans coming to the ballpark with the team having another horrible season? I guess a new ballpark has something to do with it. Maybe, Richie Sexson, a rising superstar has something to do with it. Whatever the reason is, the Brewers always have respectable crowds even if the team isn't playing to a respectable standard.
Fans who watch games on television got treated to an inter-squad arguement in Houston. In Wednesday's 12-8 win against the Astros, Brewer's closer Mike Dejean and Manager Jerry Royster went nose to nose in a heated arguement on the mound. Dejean entered the game with a 5-run lead. Six batters later, the bases were loaded and Jeff Bagwell was up with an opportunity to tie the game. Jerry Royster came out and pulled Dejean from the game. Dejean got mad and took his anger out on Royster.
After the game Dejean was embarrassed. He expressed his love to Milwaukee fans for their loyalty and apologized to everyone for having to witness the event. There was a team punishment for Dejean but, it was undisclosed to the media. Dejean will remain the Brewer's closer.
RUMOR MILL
Transactions:
7/23/02: The Brewers traded 3B Tyler Houston (and a player to be named later) to the Los Angeles Dodgers for LHP Shane Nance and RHP Ben Diggins.
In his Dodgers debut, Tyler Houston went 4-4 with 3RBI's. Mark Loretta who took over for Tyler at third hit his first career grand slam the same night.
7/24/02: Brewers option RHP Nelson Figueroa to class AAA Indianapolis;
Brewers purchase the contract of LHP Jimmy Osting from Indianapolis.
Rumors:
The Brewers definitely have some players that they could possibly move. SS Jose Hernandez, RHP Jamey Wright, and OF Matt Stairs are among the players that are in the final year of their contracts. Tyler Houston was the first to go out of this group. Hernandez might be next.....
INJURIES
OF Geoff Jenkins
Injury: Dislocated right ankle w/ torn ligaments
Status: DL
Geoff is supposed to "join" the team later this week. There is a slim chance that he could see playing time before season's end. Don't count on it though.
2B Eric Young
Injury: Bruised hand
Status: day-to-day
Might be able to start Tuesday. After being hit in the hand Friday, he hasn't been able to pick up a bat. He has been available for pinch running duties.
OF Jeffrey Hammonds
Injury: Shoulder
Status: day-to-day
Left Friday's game with tightness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Brewer's trainers told him to take time off. Could be back Tuesday also.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Note: All stats are from All-Star break
AAA Indianapolis Indians:
(pitchers)
*Jimmy Osting (5-6) 3.42 ERA 18 games 105.1 IP 95H 40ER 33BB 91SO
Called up/Currently on Milwaukee Brewers Roster
Shows great control with a great BB to SO ratio. Has great stuff.
*Derrin Ebert (6-2) 2.64 ERA 35 games 4SV 47.2 IP 39H 14ER 17BB 31SO
Very solid bullpen pitcher. Could do good in the majors. Look to be called up within the next year.
*Robert Marquez (1-4) 3.86 ERA 31 games 6SV 46.2 IP 44H 20ER 13BB 31SO
Another solid pitcher. With the Brewers way out of it, look for tons of call-ups.
*Timothy Harikkala (6-7) 3.39 ERA 22 games 1SV 103.2 IP 108H 39ER 17BB 53SO
Very good BB to SO ratio. Doesn't give up many runs for so many innings pitched.
*Andrew Lorraine (7-8) 3.11 ERA 18 games 118.2 IP 111H 41ER 28BB 59SO
Works alot of innings. Has good stuff and is a probable call-up this season.
(hitters)
*OF Izzy Alcantara .276 94H 24HR 59RBI 55R 46BB 74SO
Note: Called up/Currently on Milwaukee Brewers Roster
Shows alot of power. He definitely has alot of walks to go with alot of strikeouts. He will wiff but, he will also watch a pitch go by.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
RICHIE SEXSON
2002 stats: .292 23HR 76RBI
L. 30 days: .333 5HR 19RBI
L. 07 days: .550 (11-20) 2HR 9RBI
Richie has really picked up the slack. His hamstring is bothering him but, he has been working with Brewer's trainers to play through the pain. With the team being so far out he could just sit out for an extended period of time but, he has shot down that idea. He wants to play everyday. He is seeing grapefruits at the plate and has been putting the ball in play every single at-bat. In the final game of the Rockies series, he showed no signs of slowing down. Starting Tuesday he will have to continue his hot bat against the Braves at Turner Field.
QUICK VIEW
Add:
OF Alex Sanchez (NEW) - .311 0HR 25RBI 30SB In his rookie season he is establishing himself as one of the best lead-off hitters in the league. He is running wild, and has the green light whenever he gets on base.
3B Mark Loretta (NEW) - .290 1HR 14RBI Tyler Houston is gone. Eric Young is hurt. Jose Hernandez is in the last year of his contract (so is Loretta). Mark will see most of the time at 3B, when he plays, he puts up the numbers.
Keep:
1B Richie Sexson (keep) - .292 23HR 76RBI My player of the week. That says it all (not really). You can't drop him, you would be laughed at. Keep him on first, he will play everyday.
SS Jose Hernandez (Keep) - .284 19HR 50RBI He experiences highs and lows. On some nights, he can't touch the ball with the bat. Other nights his balls are fying over the fence left and right.
(33-55, .375 PCT, 15.5 GB)
Team Batting 2,961 AB's | 369 Runs | 779 Hits | 78 Hrs | 351 RBI's | 273 BB | 53 SB ~~Batters~~ Moves to Come? Second Half for the Brewers Best/Worst
Obviously, Strikeouts are the question this year since the Brewers shattered the strikeout record last year by striking out 1,399 times as a team. The strikeout numbers this year is a slightly different story. The Brewers through 88 games have struck out 620 times, that comes to 7.045 strikeouts a game for them. They are on pace to strike out 1,141 times through 162 games this season. Obviously, the final 80 games can see the strikeout numbers go up or down but, the good news is that the Brewers aren't the only team with extremly high strikeout numbers. The Chicago Cubs with the highest payroll in the NL Central have 619 strikeouts in 86 games, for an average of 7.197 strikeouts per game. They are on pace to have the most strikeouts in the majors with 1,165. Leading the majors right now in strikeouts are the Florida Marlins. They have 631 strikeouts in 88 games, that is an average of 7.170 per game. They are on pace to have 1,161.54 by the seasons completion. This is nothing to be proud of but, it is good to see teams near the Brewers in this category.
With the strikeout numbers out of the way, here is the line for the Milwaukee Brewers team batting....
Team Pitching
The Brewers are looked at to have a VERY young pitching staff. Ben Sheets is in his second year and Nick Neugebauer is in his first year (injured). The offseason aquistion of Glendon Rusch was supposed to solidify the left handed starter spot but, it hasn't worked out as the Brewers had hoped. The Brewers have a 4.57 staff ERA (only Rockies and Padres are worse in NL), they only have 16 saves on the season (Astros also have 16 and the Cubs are the only team worse, with only 13), they have given up 397 ER's (Rockies, 426 "worst"), and they have given up a national league worst 109 homeruns to opponents.
With most of the numbers out here is the pitching line for the first half of the season....
33W-55L | 4.57 ERA | 16 SV | 782.1 IP | 397 ER | 109 HR | 354 BB | 575 SO
Individual Player Report Card
(* opening day starter, NOTE: Not all players will be listed. Only players with a large chunk of MLB time will get graded.)
*C: Raul Casanova
(Injured)
First Half Line: 31 games .184 3R 16H 1HR 8RBI 10BB 18K 0SB
Grade: D
Considering that he only had 31 games under his belt before tearing his ulnar collateral ligament, his numbers weren't all that bad. His one homerun was a grandslam at Wrigley that accounted for half of his RBI's. He doesn't get a bad grade because he missed 57 games, he gets a bad grade because, alot of his offense came with one swing of the bat. When he comes back to the Brewers roster, he should contribute.
C: Paul Bako
First Half Line: 45 games .273 14R 35H 4HR 14RBI 12BB 25K 0SB
Grade: C
He has stepped in to do a very good job of splitting time with Robert Machado. Nothing about his offensive input is flashy in any way but, he has come up with the timely hit when called upon.
C: Robert Machado
First Half Line: 39 games .294 11R 32H 2HR 15RBI 11BB 24K 0SB
Grade: C
Splitting time with Paul Bako, he has done a decent job. Pretty similar numbers with Bako. Takes advantage of being the one behind the plate with tough lefties on the mound.
*1B: Richie Sexson
First Half Line: 88 games .282 56R 91H 19HR 62RBI 31BB 76K 0SB
Grade: B+
Richie is stil proving himself that he deserves to be considered as a superstar in Major League Baseball. He has dramatically cut down his strikeouts and he has raised his average. With Jenkins out of the lineup his runs should suffer but, his RBI's should be just as strong wih Young and Sanchez on a climb.
1B: Lenny Harris
First Half Line: 59 games .225 7R 16H 1HR 4RBI 3BB 8K 1SB
Grade: B-
Again, is at the top of the league in pinch-hitting. Has no fantasy value but, he is very nice for the Brewers to have off of the bench.
*2B: Eric Young
First Half Line: 79 games .261 36R 76H 2HR 20RBI 26BB 20K 15SB
Grade: C+
The first two months of the season were terrible for EY. He has recently heated it up. He has raised his BA nearly 100 points over the past 2 months. Going with the hot bat he also has 15 Stolen Bases to add to his season. That C+ grade is on the climb real fast.
*3B: Tyler Houston
First Half Line: 66 games .315 23R 68H 7HR 32RBI 12BB 33SO 1SB
Grade: B-
A string of injuries over Tyler's career have limited both playing time and production. This is the first year that he is healthy and he is putting up great numbers. He is getting good swings every time he steps up to the plate. Tyler has said that he has never seen a baseball so good. He is proving that he is seeing the ball like he never has. Tyler is the Brewers third basemen but, he is forced to share time with Belliard and Loretta. Expect great numbers in the second half. He has already had a career long 12-game hitting streak this year, who knows what's next for Tyler this season.
3B: Ronnie Belliard
First Half Line: 55 games .236 19R 37H 1HR 12RBI 11BB 21SO 2SB
Grade: D
The numbers are not terrible considering that Houston went on a hot streak like he did. Ronnie or Mark Loretta have seen little playing time. Last year, Ronnie started at Second Base but, he lost that job to Eric Young this season. Unless Tyler cools off Ronnie will be on the bench consuming sunflower seeds.
3B: Mark Loretta
First Half Line: 47 games .270 7R 27H 0HR 8RBI 12BB 14SO 0SB
Grade: D+
Loretta suffers alot of injuries throughout a season. He has been healthy this year but, has not been given a whole lot of opportunities. He has laid down suicide squeeze bunts to win games and, he always comes up with the big hits. He can't get a good grade but, he is a decent ballplayer that might get a chance with another club soon.
*SS: Jose Hernandez
First Half Line: 86 games .287 39R 82H 13HR 40RBI 32BB 109SO 2SB
Grade: B
Alright, I know what you are thinking. Take a look at the strikeout column. 109?...109 through half of a season? He is well on the way to break the major league record for strikeouts in a single season but, don't focus entirely on the negative. Let's look at a little bit of the positive. Despite striking out 109 times, he is still batting .287. That is amazing. That means he is the BEST player in baseball when he gets the bat on the ball. Aside from that, the power numbers are there. Say what you want but, he is the best SS in the National League.
*OF: Geoff Jenkins
(Injured)
First Half Line: 67 games .243 35R 59H 10HR 29RBI 22BB 60SO 15SB
Grade: C-
He didn't get the chance to have a typical Geoff Jenkins month. He seemed to be heating it up but, then he got hurt. That gruesome injury we all witnessed against the Astros at Miller Park might have ended his entire season. The dislocated ankle is healing fine but, he might just sit out the rest of the year. If anything, we MIGHT see him at the end of August or sometime in September. I will be updating you in future reports on his status as news gets released.
*OF: Jeffrey Hammonds
First Half Line: 76 games .282 33R 78H 7HR 34RBI 31BB 54SO 3SB
Grade: C
Let's look at it this way. He is healthy. He is able to go out there and produce for the Brewers. He is answering the questions that were asked about the Brewers signing him. His numbers aren't amazing but, they are very decent. He keeps on improving.
*OF: Alex Sanchez
First Half Line: 72 games .307 35R 73H 0HR 19RBI 22BB 44SO 21SB
Grade: A-
Who would have expected these numbers from him? It is amazing that a guy can come from nowhere to surprise you like this. He has blazing speed and is being taught by a Brewers great Cecil Cooper. Look for him to constantly get better.
OF: Alex Ochoa
First Half Line: 70 games .254 26R 43H 4HR 15RBI 26BB 21SO 6SB
Grade: C-
Aquired in the offseason, Ochoa returned to the Brewers. He has had his best days in a Brewers uniform. Everyone hoped that he would find a way to continue those numbers. Coming off of the bench, the numbers aren't necessarily that bad.
OF: Matt Stairs
First Half Line: 43 games .250 14R 21H 5HR 16RBI 8BB 13SO 1SB
Grade: D-
THE Brewer killer from years past. Let's just say with the numbers he is putting up, the Brewers would rather have him kill them then pay his salary. He is only able to go around half of the games. A walking DL spokes-person will not help the Brewers.
~~Pitchers~~
(* opening day starter)
*SP: Ben Sheets
First Half Line: 19 games 4-10 4.09ERA 116.2IP 129H 53ER 47BB 93SO
Grade: B
Look at my grade. I gave him a "B." How could I do that with a 4-10 record? I can do that because, 16 of his 19 starts have been "quality starts" (Going 7+ innings while giving up 3 runs or less) I cannot fault Ben for getting terrible run support. I just am not that type of guy. Ben's run support reminds me of the run support that Glendon Rusch recieved in New York. With run support Ben should be 11-3, easily. He just has "tough luck."
SP: Glendon Rusch
First Half Line: 19 games 5-8 5.28ERA 116.0IP 132H 68ER 31BB 80SO
Grade: C
Glendon has been good, but not as good as he can be. He was aquired from the New York Mets in a three team deal. Glendon is a respectable 5-8. What does he deserve to be? You will get the same answer, "5-8." When he was with the Mets you could tab his losses to poor run support. You can't do that in this case. Every fifth day the Brewers give him decent run support. Glendon just struggles with making "quality" starts. He should improve on this by the end of the year.
SP: Ruben Quevedo
First Half Line: 19 games 4-6 4.33ERA 104IP 106H 50ER 47BB 69SO
Grade: B
He got off to a poor start. Lately, he is lights out after the first two innings. He does struggle in the first and second but, his ERA goes down the later it is in the game. He has been very good since the start of June. Aquiring him from the Cubs last year will really payoff in the future.
SP: Jamey Wright
First Half Line: 11 games 2-8 6.36ERA 63.2IP 67H 45ER 36BB 46SO
Grade: D
Injuries have been a problem for him. But, that 2-8 record speaks for itself and has no excuses. Poor pitching plus poor run support equals a 2-8 record. That is all that needs to be said. He NEEDS to get better.
SP: Jose Cabrera
First Half Line: 34 games 4-5 5.03ERA 62.2IP 68H 35ER 22BB 37SO
Grade: B-
He did a good job in the bullpen. And, now he is doing a good job in the starting rotation. After Nick Neugebauer went down with an injury, Nelson Figueroa first filled in but now, it is the job of Jose Cabrera. Nick is scheduled to return soon. When this happens, Cabrera will return to the bullpen.
RP: Nelson Figueroa
First Half Line: 20 games 1-5 5.11ERA 68.2IP 64H 39ER 26BB 35SO
Grade: C
Filled in for Nick Neugebauer for a limited time earlier in the season. Now, he is the Brewers long relief man. He is doing a decent job, he just isn't on the right side of a 1-5 record.
RP: Luis Vizcaino
First Half Line: 47 games 5-1 3.00ERA 51IP 37H 17ER 18BB 52SO
Grade: A-
He is a future closer of A major league team. His stuff is THAT electric. He nearly has a 4-1 walk to strikeout ration and he is one of only 2 Brewers with a winning record.
RP: Ray King
First Half Line: 42 games 0-4 3.18ERA 34IP 31H 12ER 14BB 28SO
Grade: B
Rated the best left handed specialist in baseball. He has his problems when a rightie is sandwiched between lefties. That slider is NASTY!
CP: Mike Dejean
First Half Line: 40 games 0-4 15SV 3.60ERA 45IP 39H 18ER 25BB 40SO
Grade: D
Not a good closer, at least this season. He walks an awful lot of batters and gives up runs at the worst possible time. Will probably lose his job with the return of Curtis Leskanic.
Like every team in baseball the Brewers will most likely make a couple of moves. One question that factors into moves is, Who's contract is up at the end of the year? Two people come to mind that could get some decent players. Tyler Houston and Jose Hernandez. Personally, I think that Tyler will be in a Brewers uniform for the 2003 season. Just for the fact that he has expressed the liking for Milwaukee that is necessary to have a good time playing here. I think that he will be fairly easy to get a contract written to hold him as a Brewer. Jose Hernandez on the other hand is the best rated shortstop in the National League. From watching him play I see that he just doesn't give 100%. If it's him lagging on the basepads or not diving at a ball that can be caught, he just isn't appealing to me. I don't want to sound like I dislike him but, if your not on a very good team, you need to give 100%.
Hernandez will most likely be the best Brewer that will be traded. Maybe, Stairs or a player like Belliard will be dealt but, that is about it. The Brewers offense is built around Richie Sexson and Geoff Jenkins. And, the Brewers pitching staff is built around Ben Sheets. Those three are pretty much off of the block, who knows what can happen with the remaining players.
The playoffs are out of the question. That is a no brainer. The Brewers will have to wait until next year when new opportunities and new surprises will be made available.
For this year, I think that it will be a battle to return to a level of semi-respectability. Being this many games under .500, getting there is a long-shot. The Brewers will have to play the role of "spoilers" for the 10th straight season. I guess the quote, "It's gotta happen sometime" keeps us Brewer fans going. We all want to return to the form that we had in the 1980's. Being a playoff team, winning 13 in a row, having Yount, Molitor, Cooper, and Thomas on one squad was great. I guess we are all just hopeful that something along those lines will return.
Don't look at this year as a complete failure. Richie Sexson is on the roster, that is a bright spot. He can showcase his skills as a Brewer. Miller Park hosted the All-Star game and festivities. And, like everyone else we have all experienced ups and downs.
3 Best Times in the first half....
3) Going 4-0 after Davey Lopes got fired. (Gave us hope)
2) Glendon Rusch homering to beat the World Champs. D-Backs in the home-opener.
1) Knowing that the Mid-Summer Classic was going to be at Miller Park.
3 Worst Times in the first half....
3) Starting 3-12.
2) Geoff Jenkins dislocated ankle at third base. We all saw him in tears in the press conference the next day. He hasn't gotten used to the freak injuries.
1) For all teams. The number one worst time is losing Jack Buck, Darryl Kile, and Ted Williams in a three week span. God Rest their souls! (Ted Williams #9 is still being viewed in LF at Miller Park)
This report isn't very good. I started it the last day of the all-star break, it is meant to be the All-Star Report. I wanted to go more in-depth, with more features but, I also wanted to get this report up tonight. The second half has started and the Brewers are 0-3 in the second half. Here we go again.
