Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Rickey Henderson Coming Back to A's? Bar-right-arrows

Scouting the Pennant Chase: Rockies @ Brewers, 7/7, 7:05 CT Open Thread

H_tiny by northsider on

Sabathia_medium

With an off-day today and after facing the Cardinals yesterday, perhaps some of you would like to join me as we watch the Brewskis take on the Rockies.

From BP:

 

Matchup: Rockies (37-52) at Brewers (49-39), 7:05 p.m. CT
Probable Starters: Ubaldo Jimenez (100 IP, 5.13 RA, 1.55 WHIP, 79 K) vs. Seth McClung (64 2/3, 4.18, 1.36, 52)
Pythagorean Record: Colorado, 38-51 (402 RS, 471 RA); Milwaukee, 45-43 (406 RS, 395 RA)
Hit List Rankings: Colorado, #23; Milwaukee, #13
Prospectus: Two of the hottest offenses in the majors clash in the first of four games at Miller Park, where the Brewers have posted the second-best home record in the NL this year. The Brewers have hit 12 homers in their last six games, scoring 6.5 runs per contest, and with five wins in that stretch are now within three games in the loss column of first place Chicago and are the favorites to win the NL Wild Card. Six of those long balls have come off the bat of J.J. Hardy, who is going through a scorching stretch at the plate. Hardy had his 16-game hitting streak snapped on Saturday, but came back yesterday to launch two more homers, and is now batting .437/.481/.915 with eight homers since he returned from sitting five days due to a strained shoulder in mid-June, a span of 79 plate appearances. Hardy has proven himself to be one of the streakiest hitters in the major leagues—his recent surge is reminiscent of last year's start to the season, when he posted a 1004 OPS with 12 homers in his first 37 games (170 plate appearances), before hitting just .259 with a .304 OBPthe rest of the way. This year, the cold streak came early, as he had a 617 OPS with just a lone homer after Milwaukee's game on May 17 before beginning to hit.

Colorado is coming off a classic Coors Field series, in which they scored 41 runs in winning three of four from Florida. The Rockies were driven by the bat of Ryan Spilborghs, who collected two homers, three doubles, and four singles in the series, going 9-for-18. Spilborghs is now up to .313/.418/.500 in 220 plate appearances this season, and ranks second on the team in VORP despite being just sixth in PA. Considering that the starter in center field, Willy Taveras, has been right around replacement level (1.3 VORP) despite his major league-leading 38 steals, Spilborghs should be in line to see more regular playing time even after Taveras recovers from the leg injury that kept him out last week.

 

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

0 recs | Comment 88 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

Wow, they had a whole video intro ... "A FRANCHISE THAT HASN'T REACHED THE PLAYOFFS IN X YEARS .... NOW .... A BLOCKBUSTER MOVE HAS THEM POISED ... "

And the PxP announcer quoted Doug Melvin, “This is the best trade of my career!” The man hasn’t even thrown a pitch yet, what if he pulls a hammy during his warm-ups?

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 7, 2008 7:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Too Early

Its way to early to actually care about the Brew Crew. Our Cubs will win the division by at least 5 games.

by PieFan08 on Jul 7, 2008 7:06 PM CDT   0 recs

It's an off day, and there's no harm in watching them play.

All we hear about is how we need to be shaking in our boots because something is BREWING! It’s the third team in this three-horse race, we’ve already seen St. Louis, why not?

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 7, 2008 7:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Starting Line-Ups

Colorado (37-52)
CF Taveras
SS Barmes
LF Holliday
RF Hawpe
3B Atkins
1B Koshansky
2B Baker
C Iannetta
P Jimenez

Milwaukee (49-39, 3.5 GB)
2B Counsell
SS Hardy
LF Braun
1B Fielder
RF Hart
3B Branyan
CF Cameron
C Kendall
P McClung

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 7, 2008 7:12 PM CDT   0 recs

Colorado

I really hope Colorado’s offense keeps it going after scoring a ton against florida. Otherwise CC could completely dominate tomorrow’s game.

by cubs on Jul 7, 2008 7:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Tomorrow.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 7, 2008 7:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting....

according to BP, the Brewers are the 2nd-highest overperforming team in baseball when you look at Pythagorean Record. The Cubs are underperforming, thanks to their recent treading water stretch, by a game and a half.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 7, 2008 7:53 PM CDT   0 recs

All that stuff should start

to balance out by seasons end.

Hopefully.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 7, 2008 8:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It doesn't always balance out.

Besides, I think the Brewers are a better team than the one that showed up in the first half – they had a couple of guys really underperforming.

The Cards, by the same token, are a team that I don’t think are as good as even their third-order Pythag.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jul 7, 2008 8:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It should

But I remember the D-Backs Pythagorean Record last year was something like 72-90 but they had the best record in the NL.

However the D-Backs manager wasn’t Ned Yost.

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 7, 2008 9:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

When I feel bad about the Sabathia deal

this cheers me up.

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jul 7, 2008 9:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hello anyone here

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Jul 7, 2008 8:50 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm here. Go Rockies!!!!!!!!!!

Did anyone notice the Brewers fan holding up the sign that said “CC=Cubs Choke?”

He has obviously forgotten last year (perhaps he swallowed that last bit of phlegm from last year).

4-0 Rockies, top of the seventh.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:00 PM CDT   0 recs

Forgive me...

...but this lineup simply doesn’t send chills of fear through my body:

C. Counsell 2B	
 J.J. Hardy SS	
 R. Braun LF	
 P. Fielder 1B	
 C. Hart RF
 R. Branyan 3B	
 M. Cameron CF	
 J. Kendall C
 C. Villanueva P

Craig Counsell? Russell Branyan? Jason Bloody Kendall?

Please

by leothelip on Jul 7, 2008 9:04 PM CDT   0 recs

Argh, 'tis but an empty line-up! Shiver me timbers!

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 7, 2008 9:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah but Braun and Fielder are a nice 1-2 punch....

And now, Sheets and Sabathia.

It would be something if neither Sheets or Sabathia resigned with them, given that their contracts expire this year.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:07 PM CDT   0 recs

The Mets

are about to take their third game in a row from Philly.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:08 PM CDT   0 recs

Fun facts

No one in the Brewers starting lineup is hitting .300+

Only three Brewers starters have better .AVG’s than our worst starter: Jim Edmonds at .272.

OBP of Brewers and Cubs starters:

Kosuke Fukudome .391
Ryan Theriot .390
Aramis Ramírez .379
Mark DeRosa .378
Geovany Soto .375
Jim Edmonds .375
Derrek Lee .368
J.J. Hardy .362
Jason Kendall .356
Russell Branyan .355
Prince Fielder .351
Corey Hart .335
Alfonso Soriano .332
Craig Counsell .331
Ryan Braun .323
Rickie Weeks .317
Mike Cameron .308

Theriot is out hitting Cameron’s OBP. Good times.

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 7, 2008 9:12 PM CDT   0 recs

that's

amazing.

How are they in second place again?

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

If they are so bad, why are they the team we’ve figured would challenge us all season?

Understand, I’m not panicked, but I hate the fact that they got Sabathia.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd have preferred to get him

myself.

But I think we still take the division, and we’re still favored for the pennant.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Manny Parra in relief...

Did someone forget to tell Yost Suppan just went on the DL?

Did I miss something here?

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 7, 2008 9:15 PM CDT   0 recs

Feilder and Sabathia...

No milwalkee buffet is safe

I hear Tony La Russa may bat the Pitcher spot cleanup

by jds2 on Jul 7, 2008 9:19 PM CDT   0 recs

LOL

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rockies are starting to implode....

Pop up in front of the plate, three guys standing around and they let it drop.

First and second, no out in the bottom of the eighth.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Nice to see the rockies have yet to grace the concept of defense

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:32 PM CDT   0 recs

And the brewers have bases loaded 0 out for Braun

Rockies about to implode

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Braun hits into double play, 4-1 2 out for fielder

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:35 PM CDT   0 recs

Fielder homerun, 4-3

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:37 PM CDT   0 recs

there's those

timely home-runs. wow.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He crushed it.

All the runs should be unearned, since they’d have gotten out of the inning on the DP, had they not committed the error on the popup.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

except

the popup was ruled a single, I thought.

MLB is taking for EVER to update…

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll let you know at the end of the inning when they show the score.

Corpas pitching, Branyan batting, man on 1st, 2 outs.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In play, out(s)

Current temperature in hell: 46 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Jul 7, 2008 9:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

whew.

Go Rockies!

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Go Brewers!

Pitching is King of baseball!

by Geo4MVP on Jul 7, 2008 10:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Branyan flyout, top 9 4-3 rockies

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:46 PM CDT   0 recs

Banyan flies out. End of the eighth.

The Rockies announcer said all three runs were unearned.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Saloman Torres pitching for the Brewers in the 9th.

Barmes batting with Holliday on deck.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:49 PM CDT   0 recs

The Phillies

have scored two in the bottom of the 9th. Mets 10, Phils 9.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:51 PM CDT   0 recs

and it's over.

Met win, taking three in a row from the Phils.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 9:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mets are showing some life

But, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

by Geo4MVP on Jul 7, 2008 10:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would if I were in a bathroom in Shea or the NY subway...

just sayin’

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oi!

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm just happy to see the Phillies struggle

let the NL East be a bloodbath, says I!

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 7, 2008 10:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Barmes grounds out 6-3

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:51 PM CDT   0 recs

Bottom 9, 4-3 rox

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:55 PM CDT   0 recs

Hawpe k's Brewers coming up, bottom of the 9th

Brian Fuentes coming in for the Rockies.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 9:55 PM CDT   0 recs

Hall strikes out swinging, 1 down

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 9:59 PM CDT   0 recs

Kendall strikes out swinging, 2 down

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 10:01 PM CDT   0 recs

good old Jason Kendall...

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 10:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kendall K's 2 out.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 10:01 PM CDT   0 recs

Rockies win!

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 7, 2008 10:02 PM CDT   0 recs

Kapler flies out to left. Rockies win.

Way to go Brew Crew.

IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!

by Cubfansince1957 on Jul 7, 2008 10:02 PM CDT   0 recs

What?

I mean – they traded for Sabathia and everything. I thought they were not going to lose another game!

Current temperature in hell: 46 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sarcasm Fever!

Current temperature in hell: 46 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Jul 7, 2008 10:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

catch it!

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 10:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You've been watching too much ESPN

;)

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 7, 2008 10:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Too much Joe Morgan "analysis"

After all, pitching is King of baseball :)

by Geo4MVP on Jul 7, 2008 10:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

all right!

3.5 up on St. Louis
4 up on Milwaukee.

And tomorrow, we destroy the Reds!

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Now we'll get to see if their new "stopper" can do what they expect him to...

keep them from any prolonged losing streaks.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2008 10:03 PM CDT   0 recs

YAY!!!!

Just saw this thread!

AWESOME!!!!

I hope the Rockies welcome Sabathia to the NL in similar fashion tomorrow. :D

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 PM CDT   0 recs

has he ever played

in that rarefied air?

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2008 10:05 PM CDT <