The Crew - 2026

[Heyjoe4]

The last two games have each been statement games, individually and in totality. Tuesday night, the Brewers bounced back from a thorough Monday night drubbing, with an impressive win. A 9-4 win, after falling behind 0-3 in the 4th inning.

Then last night, the Brewers Ace has one of his worst outings in quite awhile and the Brewers response? "No problem, we got ya Miz". The Brewer bullpen and bats totally won this one for Miz and the Brewers.

While I really want another Brewer win tonight against the Cubbies, which puts us 10 games up, it isn't as critical as the last 2 games have been. This 4 game series has been a statement to the Cubs. That statement is this: "Sure you got some big power hitters, but your bullpen sucks. We will keep playing small ball and rely on a consistently above average pitching staff and better overall hitting than what you have."

The last 2 games: Brewers: 27 hits and 18 runs.
Cubs: 12 hits 9 runs.

Great summary Poker. And this is no small feat (winning the Central) as the Cubs, much as I hate to say it, have a very good team this year. They just play in the same division as the best team in BB. So sad.

 

[OldSchool101]

Statistically if Milwaukee can hold their 3.5 game lead for another pair of series or so, it’ll become very difficult to slip 4 full games into 2nd place. These next 8-10 games are about chiseling away to lock a #1 seed. I say that because nobody (with reason) will catch up 4 full games with 10 games to finish regular season. We could use help locking our bye week by LA or Atlanta dropping a game in the meantime.

The Cubs are at best a Wildcard now. They didn’t do enough going into last series to give us any concern. They lost 4 of 5 leading up to Milwaukee and then we split games 2-2. Chicago will make playoffs as as a 4-6 seed depending on their finish.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Statistically if Milwaukee can hold their 3.5 game lead for another pair of series or so, it’ll become very difficult to slip 4 full games into 2nd place. These next 8-10 games are about chiseling away to lock a #1 seed. I say that because nobody (with reason) will catch up 4 full games with 10 games to finish regular season. We could use help locking our bye week by LA or Atlanta dropping a game in the meantime.

The Cubs are at best a Wildcard now. They didn’t do enough going into last series to give us any concern. They lost 4 of 5 leading up to Milwaukee and then we split games 2-2. Chicago will make playoffs as as a 4-6 seed depending on their finish.

As of this morning, the Brewers have an 8-game lead over Chicago, so not sure where you're getting 3.5 games.

I don't think there's a chance chicago misses the playoffs. It wasn't that long ago they were within 3-4 games of Milwaukee. They will be a tough out in the playoffs.

 

[milani]

I missed this in my first reply milani. You have proivided an excellent definition of "small ball".

"It was about execution, about bunting, about hit and run, about changing a pitcher at the right time, about pinch hitting, and about defensive substitutions."

Very well done!

I was actually glad to see the DH come into play. I hated when teams would give a pass to the 8th hitter to face a pitcher to end the inning.
But back in the day it was also entertaining to watch managers really manage the game. Extra inning games with NO ONE on base. Using pitchers to pinch hit for pitchers. Clearing out the roster for only one game.

 

[milani]

Statistically if Milwaukee can hold their 3.5 game lead for another pair of series or so, it’ll become very difficult to slip 4 full games into 2nd place. These next 8-10 games are about chiseling away to lock a #1 seed. I say that because nobody (with reason) will catch up 4 full games with 10 games to finish regular season. We could use help locking our bye week by LA or Atlanta dropping a game in the meantime.

The Cubs are at best a Wildcard now. They didn’t do enough going into last series to give us any concern. They lost 4 of 5 leading up to Milwaukee and then we split games 2-2. Chicago will make playoffs as as a 4-6 seed depending on their finish.

5 of the 6 divisions will finish about where they are now. You want to go into the postseason with some momentum but few injuries. Getting into a funk at the end can be disastrous in any sport.

 

[OldSchool101]

As of this morning, the Brewers have an 8-game lead over Chicago, so not sure where you're getting 3.5 games.

I don't think there's a chance chicago misses the playoffs. It wasn't that long ago they were within 3-4 games of Milwaukee. They will be a tough out in the playoffs.

+3.5 Games was speaking to a Bye Week 1,2 seed over Braves and Dodgers.
The Cubs are already in the playoffs but out of the Division race for all practical purposes they are looking at fighting for a 4 seed (at best) from the group of non-Division Champs.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I was actually glad to see the DH come into play. I hated when teams would give a pass to the 8th hitter to face a pitcher to end the inning.
But back in the day it was also entertaining to watch managers really manage the game. Extra inning games with NO ONE on base. Using pitchers to pinch hit for pitchers. Clearing out the roster for only one game.

I'm mixed on whether I like the DH or not. To your point a team can't pitch around a guy just to get to the P. But it as fun to watch managers deal with it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

+3.5 Games was speaking to a Bye Week 1,2 seed over Braves and Dodgers.
The Cubs are already in the playoffs but out of the Division race for all practical purposes they are looking at fighting for a 4 seed (at best) from the group of non-Division Champs.

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. Would be great to have the #1 seed in October.

 

[Pkrjones]

Frustrating, 2-1/2 hr rain delayed game, last night. Contreras was up with bases loaded, in the 7th & 9th innings, and couldn't knock some runs in. Hopefully today the Crew takes charge early & scores often to win the series.

 

[longtimefan]

Wtf is happening to the pitching

 

[milani]

I'm mixed on whether I like the DH or not. To your point a team can't pitch around a guy just to get to the P. But it as fun to watch managers deal with it.

Yes. I never felt strong either way. But I recall as a kid with the old transistor radio and earphone listening to these 12, 13, 17 inning games. You get the bases loaded with one or two outs and you have no more pinch hitters or no more pitchers but the starters left, and all you can do is roll out your last pitcher who has a lifetime batting average of .116. He strikes out or hits into a DP and then you keep playing and I don't get any sleep.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Wtf is happening to the pitching

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That was a road trip from hell for the pitchers, starters and relievers. We can only hope being back in Milwaukee, on a familiar mound helps get them back to playing better.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I was actually glad to see the DH come into play. I hated when teams would give a pass to the 8th hitter to face a pitcher to end the inning.
But back in the day it was also entertaining to watch managers really manage the game. Extra inning games with NO ONE on base. Using pitchers to pinch hit for pitchers. Clearing out the roster for only one game.

The 2 aspects of Baseball that excites me the most, is Quality Pitching and Quality Batting. Making a Pitcher bat.....brought both of those things to their lowest levels. So for me, the DH was a great thing for baseball.

 

[milani]

The 2 aspects of Baseball that excites me the most, is Quality Pitching and Quality Batting. Making a Pitcher bat.....brought both of those things to their lowest levels. So for me, the DH was a great thing for baseball.

Back in the 50s-60s there was a lefty pitcher named Hank Aguirre. Played a lot for the Tigers among other teams. He started early in his career. His nickname was 2 for 3. He had 2 hits in 3 years. And that was when starters might bat 100-200 times a season. So his lifetime batting average was in the .000s. Announcers made fun of him.
He wound up as a bullpen pitcher later with the Cubs. I saw him relieve back in 1969. And Leo Durocher opted not to pinch hit for him. Cannot remember why. Knowing he was an easy out the opponent ran a fast ball in on his fist and he took a defensive swing. The ball came off the bat and blooped into right center for a single. Crowd went crazy. How many fans can say they saw Hank Aguirre get a hit in person?

 

[OldSchool101]

Great comeback today!
Showing resilience against the Cubs

 

[Heyjoe4]

Frustrating, 2-1/2 hr rain delayed game, last night. Contreras was up with bases loaded, in the 7th & 9th innings, and couldn't knock some runs in. Hopefully today the Crew takes charge early & scores often to win the series.

They did enough to beat Chicago yesterday and are 8 games up. Even when they don't fire on all cylinders, the Brewers find a way to win. That's one of the things necessary to win a WS.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Great comeback today!
Showing resilience against the Cubs

Do you know why Gasser was pulled with one out left in the fifth? He had been pitching well up to that point, and the PC was 83, so not unreasonably high. Just curious.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Back in the 50s-60s there was a lefty pitcher named Hank Aguirre. Played a lot for the Tigers among other teams. He started early in his career. His nickname was 2 for 3. He had 2 hits in 3 years. And that was when starters might bat 100-200 times a season. So his lifetime batting average was in the .000s. Announcers made fun of him.
He wound up as a bullpen pitcher later with the Cubs. I saw him relieve back in 1969. And Leo Durocher opted not to pinch hit for him. Cannot remember why. Knowing he was an easy out the opponent ran a fast ball in on his fist and he took a defensive swing. The ball came off the bat and blooped into right center for a single. Crowd went crazy. How many fans can say they saw Hank Aguirre get a hit in person?

Oh this is hilarious. It sounds like a stat from Euk's career, 2-for-career BA.

One of my favorite Euker lines was commenting on a SS who could lose a ground ball because the sun got in his eyes. Miss Mr. Baseball……..

And I don't remember Hank Aguirre. Then again, and from your comments, there wasn't much to remember! Great stuff!

 

[OldSchool101]

Do you know why Gasser was pulled with one out left in the fifth? He had been pitching well up to that point, and the PC was 83, so not unreasonably high. Just curious.

I read it’s because he was facing a string of lefties batters but idk that to be accurate. I’m putting Columbia on this investigation

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Do you know why Gasser was pulled with one out left in the fifth? He had been pitching well up to that point, and the PC was 83, so not unreasonably high. Just curious.

He was showing signs of tiring and with runners on base and RH batters due up, it was time. Gasser is a lefty and fairs much better against left handed batters (.168 BA) VS Righties (.289). Not to mention that he gives up more home runs to RH batters.

I think a lot of fans feel that the high water mark for a pitcher, that is pitching well, is 100 pitches. While that is a decent general guide, every pitcher is different, as is every situation. In the last 10 games, Gasser has averaged 82 pitches/game, so he was basically at his end point.

Managers and Pitching coaches have all the stats readily available. How each pitcher has faired against the upcoming batter(s) is one of the key ones when it comes to the decision to pull a pitcher that is about "Gassered" out.

 

[milani]

Oh this is hilarious. It sounds like a stat from Euk's career, 2-for-career BA.

One of my favorite Euker lines was commenting on a SS who could lose a ground ball because the sun got in his eyes. Miss Mr. Baseball……..

And I don't remember Hank Aguirre. Then again, and from your comments, there wasn't much to remember! Great stuff!

I know he did throw a screwball. But the Tigers of that era were like everyone else in the AL. Just chasing the Yankees. The NL was more competitive. But he was a lefty and they were premium. And teams in the AL were more afraid of that short Yankee Stadium porch than they were of the Green Monster in Fenway. Managers tried to lineup lefties to pitch when going into NY and use up the righties in Boston. But the Red Sox, even with Ted Williams, were just not very good.

 

[milani]

They did enough to beat Chicago yesterday and are 8 games up. Even when they don't fire on all cylinders, the Brewers find a way to win. That's one of the things necessary to win a WS.

And it is the mark of a very good team. Even Lombardi remarked about a team that still finds ways to win even on days when it is sub par.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

2 Words.....

Holy Cow!!

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[longtimefan]

Holy effing what in the ef

My effing god

Eff you

Fly the L

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

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