Tagged: mike cameron

¡Feliz Batazo Desfile!

pedrofeliz.jpgWell, I’m not sure if that’s said correctly at all, but I’m trying to say Happy Hit Parade, and be corny playing off of Pedro Feliz’s last name. Funny, I know.

But Pedro Feliz did have a nice night, he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored and an opposite field homer, his first of the season. It’s nice to see the guys break out the bats, something they’ve been doing well all season thus far. Along with Feliz’s three hits; Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Chris Coste all chipped in two hits a piece. Chase Utley was also on base four times last night.

Jamie Moyer pitched the usual Jamie Moyer way. As I’ve said earlier, expect six innings, three or four runs, and a couple strikeouts and walks when he leaves the game. He did it again, going into the seventh while surrenduring four runs.

Those four runs came off the bat of Ryan Braun, who homered twice off Moyer. Speaking of hit parade, Braun went 5-for-5 with the two homeruns, apparently, he sees Moyer well. He ended up raising his season average to .300. He’s the only Brewer other than Mike Cameron to have that mark on the year thus far. The Brewers, as a team this year, are hitting .231–ouch. Only the Diamondbacks and Reds can say worse in the National League.

If Joe Blanton continues to pitch like he has in the regular season so far, the Brewers will be raising their team average tonight. Blanton has surrendered ten earned runs in two starts so far this season, something he needs to improve on.

The Phils are going up against Braden Looper, who went five and six innings in his first two starts, respectively. He’s holding 3.27 ERA so far. I imagine if he gets into a jam against these hit-happy Phils tonight, the bullpen may enter the game earlier than expected for the Brewers.

Getting into a rythm is the factor here, and I think that once the pitchers start to get on a normal schedule, the starting pitching will improve. Hey, we’re .500 now and technically second place in the NL East after JJ Putz blew up in St. Louis last night.

The keys this early in the season are to keep the bats hot and to get into a rythm.

Brewers Need Pitching if they want to Return to October

Season Preview: Milwaukee Brewers
Projected MLB Rank: 19th — NL Rank: 12th — NL Central Rank: 4th — Record: (78-84)

brewcrewlogo.gifOnly five months ago, the Brewers were playing October baseball. They suffered a first round exit to the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, but making it that far could have been considered a success. They were lead by pitchers CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets into October. Well this year, Sabathia and Sheets aren’t in the rotation, and despite the great lineup, take a look at their rotation now.

Twenty-three year old Yovani Gallardo is being considered their ace. He is a great young hurler but is still very young. In 21 career starts he is 9-4 with a 3.38 ERA. Righty Dave Bush
gallardo.jpgis a solid pitcher, but I don’t think he’s a number two. He was 9-10 last season with a 4.18 ERA, but keeps a low WHIP (1.14). Jeff Suppan is a reliable starter (injury wise). At 34 years old, Suppan will get you 10-12 wins with a ERA hovering around 5.00. Braden Looper joins the club this season after going 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA last season for the Cardinals. Twenty-six year old Manny Parra rounds out the staff and made huge strides last season to become a reliable pitcher, especially after his second half.

The bullpen is so-so. Although it is hard to argue with Trevor Hoffman, who at 40 years old last season, recorded 30 saves. I wonder when the offseason acquisition will run out of gas though. Carlos Villanueva seems better as a reliever than a starter. David Riske had a 5.31 ERA in 45 relief appearences last season. Journeyman Jorge Julio joins the Brewcrew this season and brings in a player with closing experience. Seth McClung has potential to join the rotation at the start of the season but had a nice year in the bullpen last year. Lefty Mitch Stetter had a great 2008 coming out of the bullpen as the lefty specialist.

hardy.jpgMilwaukee has probably the second best lineup in the division behind the Cubs and one of the top in the league. Rickie Weeks and JJ Hardy start it up at the top of the lineup. Weeks can steal you bases but doesn’t hit for high average. Hardy is a great number two hitter who has some pop (24 homeruns, 74 RBIs). The middle of the lineup is a great young combo in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Both had over 30 homeruns and 100 RBIs last season and should improve on those numbers this year. Corey Hart also chipped in with 91 RBIs.

Mike Cameron hit leadoff in the playoffs last season and provides some power threat if he’s put at the top of the lineup, but like Weeks, didn’t hit for a high average. Jason Kendall and Bill Hall are also in the same low-average boat. Craig Counsell and Mike Lamb provide some nice veteran experience off the bench and can platoon all over the infield if injuries come up or someone starts struggling.

When I look at this lineup, I think playoff contender. Then I take a look at the rotation and it doesn’t look like a bunch of pitchers that can even keep a team in contention. The Brewers had a deadly 1-2 combo last season, and not having them will definately show this season. Finishing over .500 might be a better goal for this team.