Brewers vs Astros 8/18 - 8/20 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 41 - Milwaukee Brewers vs Houston Astros August 18 - August 20 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

I'm normally pretty chill about a lot of things, and it isn't because they call me the Iceman. People think that I got that name because I'm cool under pressure, but in a lot of circumstances I'm the complete opposite. I'll just go ahead and let people think whatever they want, but sometimes I do get all riled up about something. Cecil Cooper (Coop) made some pretty ridiculous remarks to the media before this series in Milwaukee. Houston likes to think that they still have a shot at the wildcard, but they came into this series at least 7 games back. They have been playing pretty well lately, and Coop boldly predicted that his team would sweep the Brewers and gain 3 games on them for the NL Wildcard. I really like Coop, and he will always be treasured for his contributions to the Milwaukee Brewers in helping them reach the playoffs for the 1st and only time in 1982, but he needs to keep his mouth shut. I know that no one should go into a series saying they are going to lose, but saying that you'll sweep a team that is better than you at their home ballpark is asinine. I could understand him saying that if they were going against Suppan, Parra, and Bush, but CC and Sheets? No way dude. The Cubs couldn't even beat CC (although they did win the game, but they did it against Torres. CC didn't lose the game), so how do you expect the Astros to do it without Carros Ree? Sure, they still have Rance Berkman and Miguer Tejada, but neither of them are the RBI machine that Carros Ree is. Without Ree, the Astros will continue to be a bunch of sirry rosers. Oh werr, on with this wrap-up.

Game 1 (Monday) - CC Sabathia (14-8, 2.99 ERA) vs Randy Wolf (8-11, 4.81 ERA)

Today's game contained some of the fodder that keeps talk radio in business. CC Sabathia came out and dominated the Astros and was well on his way for his 8th victory during his time with the Brewers. The Crew had a 7-2 lead in the 6th inning, and tacked on single runs in the 7th and 8th innings to give them a comfortable lead. But yet CC was left in to pitch a complete game and ending up throwing 130 pitches. Last year, the bullpen was overworked because our starters weren't going deep into games. This year, our starters are going too deep into games and our bullpen is getting rusty. This would have been a perfect game to get a couple of those arms (Shouse, Riske) in the game to get some action. Pitchers thrive on repetition, so sitting around out in left field chewing on sunflower seeds doesn't help them pitch better off of a mound. I'm all for CC throwing complete games, because sometimes I get a little nervous when Mota or Gagne comes in to pitch, but 130 pitches when your team has a comfortable margin is ridiculous. We don't need CC's arm to fall off in the playoffs. I know that the guy is a beast (or a horse) but enough is enough. I'd like to blame Ned, but I'm thinking that this isn't his call. How many times have we seen Sheets get all fired up when Ned comes to take him out? A starting pitcher wants to go out and throw all 9 innings, get the win, and keep the other team off of the board. No one wants to exit the game. I'm sure Ned asked CC if he could do it, and CC said he wanted to stay in and finish the game. Ned could have pulled him because he's the boss, but that just goes to show you that Ned is a player's manager and trusts his players to be open and honest. By not babying them (they are all grown men, and not only that, but they are well trained athletes) and telling them what to do, and having the confidence in his players to make their own decision, the players then trust themselves. It comes around full circle, and it seems to be working in the Brewers' favor. Time will tell on that, but apparently it's a big enough issue for me to spend time talking about it. Have we just made it too big of an issue than it already was? Probably, but since the offense was so good today, that is the only thing from this game that comes out as semi-negative. Oh, and the Brewers scored 9 runs today, and only 1 of them was via the homerun. That's a great sign, because if they can do it now, then they should be able to do it in September and October. Final score Brewers 9, Astros 3.

Brewers record : 72 - 54, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 2 (Tuesday) - Ben Sheets (11-7, 3.16 ERA) vs Brian Moehler (9-4, 3.87 ERA)

So CC throws a complete game and limits the number of runs allowed, then the next day Ben Sheets goes out and gets rocked. This is becoming an all too familiar story that I am sick and tired of having to write about. I'm not going to sit here and place any more blame on Sheets, we all know that he's pitching like crap right now. Hell, even he knows it, and he's addressed it to the media when they keep asking him the same G D questions. Hopefully this means that he's saving up his good games for September, because if he's lights out, then we will be an unstoppable juggernaut. The bigger problem at hand is the fact that Ben Sheets has never won more than 12 games in a season despite consistently sporting a low ERA. Why? Lack of run support. There's stats to prove it, but I won't bore you with them right now, but if you've been watching the games that Sheets has pitched since the All-Star Break, you'd see that he has to be damn near perfect to record a victory. How else do you explain the fact that he has only won 1 game since the break while his ERA virtually hasn't changed? Case in point - the Brewers scored 2 early runs then shut it down for the rest of the day. While Sheets wasn't his best (he gave up 5 runs in 6 innings) you can't expect to win when you only score 2 runs. I'm tired of complaining, so I'm going to move on to game 3. Hopefully I can pull a positive rabbit out of that hat. Final score Astros 5, Brewers 2.

Brewers record : 72 - 55, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 3 (Sunday) - Manny Parra (10-6, 4.10 ERA) vs Wandy Rodriguez (7-6, 4.11 ERA)

Manny rebounded nicely from his last start, and while he once again failed to go deep into the game, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. In my posting on Manny's last start, I mentioned that he was close to topping (if he hasn't already topped) his number of innings pitched in a season. Down the stretch run, you start to get concerned about the little things, but you have to make sure that the little things don't get in the way of the big picture, like winning ball games. Because it doesn't matter how many innings Manny throws in a season if the Brewers can't find a way to win and make it to the playoffs. But they did find a way to win today, so we won't worry about that until tomorrow. Let's just take it one day at a time folks. The Brewers won today, and found a way to take the series against Houston. And JJ Hardy, who is lighting up my fantasy baseball team, hit his 19th home run of the year and helped me to increase my statistical dominance over the opposition. Woo-hoo!! Final score Brewers 5, Astros 2.

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Brewers record : 73 - 55, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

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So Coop was wrong. You could probably see that one coming a mile away. I know that he is a first year manager, so let me give him a nickels worth of free advice. Wanna know how to rile up your opponents? Come into town and say that you're going to sweep them. People (especially athletes) love it when you tell them that they are going to lose, and lose bad. And get swept at their own park by someone in their own division. Coop, that was probably the worst thing that you could have done. Now our players went out of their way to prove you wrong. If Pittsburgh and Cincinnati weren't so terribly bad, then you would be fighting for the basement in the NL Central. But relax Coop, you just might finish at .500 this year, with a possible winning record if you play well. You have no shot at the wild card or division title, but hey, at least you tried. That's more than I can say for Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. They traded away all of their best players in yet another rebuilding year. Long term mainstays such as the Pirates' Jason Bay (traded to the Red Sox) and Xavier Nady (New York Yankees) are gone, and Ken Griffey Jr. (Chicago White Sox) and Adam Dunn (Arizona Diamondbacks) are playing for contenders. All the while when Milwaukee went out and got CC Sabathia. I've been there, so I know how it feels when your team sells off it's biggest stars, and I hope it never happens again to the Brew Crew. But since it will, I hope that we can at least be competitive, instead of just thinking that we are like this Houston group. But hey, at least their trying. It's so cute that the Astros think that they can sit at the grown up table with the adults. Not so fast Houston, back to the kids table and finish your chicken fingers and Jello. In a few years you can talk about Adult topics like laundry, politics, and retirement plans. For now, just sit back and enjoy Hannah Montana and SpongeBob Squarepants.

Next up - August 22 (Friday) - August 24 (Sunday) Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

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- pookon -

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http://www.pookon.com/
email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

It's as easy as shooting fish in a barrel...

...which is really not that easy if you think about it. Why do they say that then? I haven't been fishing in a few years, but I used to go back with my grandparents when I was younger. If I recall, fish are very slippery and when you take them off the hook and try to put them somewhere, they flip around violently and try to break free. And throwing a slippery moving object? There's no way in hell that that is easy, and trust me, I know. I've made a living out of throwing wet objects (ping pong balls) into barrels (plastic cups) so you can consider me an expert on the subject.

I assume that they are talking about live fish being thrown into the barrel, or else the quote would be "it's as easy as throwing dead fish in a barrel!" I haven't handled a whole lot of dead fish in my day, but I'd have to imagine that a cold dead lifeless fish would be easier to grab a hold of than a live one. One of these days, I'll become a real journalist, question professionals and do some on the scene investigation, which would allow for factual reporting instead of assumptions. But then of course, I would have to actually try, meet deadlines, and be professional. And I don't think that professionals are allowed to write stories about shooting fish in a barrel complete with a sweet twisted picture that makes sense and doesn't make sense at the same time. That having been said, I don't see myself ever becoming a professional journalist. This shit that I do here is just way too much fun.

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So this just goes to show you that some things don't make sense when you sit down, break it apart, and ponder over the meaning of the statement. We throw these sayings into the conversation without any thought or warning of the ramifications of their use. When someone says "it's as easy as shooting fish in a barrel" you need to figure out that the person who said it is in fact lying to you, because this sort of thing is not easy. Someone who lies is not a trustworthy person, and if that person is your friend, then it also causes you to reexamine your relationship with that person. You think back to all of the moments you have shared, and it makes you doubt some of the things they told you in confidence. Did their parents really leave them stranded at Wal-Mart when they were 6 years old (which lead them to believe they were neglected as children) or did they just make that story up to gain sympathy? You no longer are able to trust to your friend, and it was all because they used a common phrase without thinking.

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There are plenty of other phrases that people use with reckless abandon, and I don't want to take up too much of your time, but use caution when uttering these phrases :

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"killing 2 birds with 1 stone" - the person who said this is a homicidal and sadistic murder who takes pleasure in killing defenseless animals with blunt objects.

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"a penny saved is a penny earned" - don't expect this person to pay for drinks or leave a tip. This person will use you for your money and and will put a drain on your wallet.

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"there's no sense in crying over spilled milk" - why the hell not? If someone loves milk, and spilled it, I can see crying about it. If I dropped a case of beer or a bottle of rum and it broke, I'd be balling my eyes out. You can't tell me when to or when not to cry. I can cry if I want to dammit. Then I'd dry my tears, lie face down on the ground, and slurp up every last drop of alcohol. I paid for that shit, and I'll be damned if plants and ants get drunk at my expense.

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"the devil is in the details" - no, the devil is in hell. People that don't know that are idiots.

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"let the cat out of the bag" - seriously, who keeps cats in bags? PETA should get at these people for animal cruelty. Cats should be on farms or chilling on window sills.

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"curiosity killed the cat" - no, it was keeping the cat in the bag with no food, water, or air that killed the cat.

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And my favorite, "it's always in the last place that you look" - of course it is, why would you keep looking for something once you've already found it?

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Avoid using these phrases and the countless others that sound just like them, and you will avoid sounding like a jackass. If each person who reads this does that, then we will have less morons in this world. But since I'm going to keep shooting fishes in barrels and taking everything except the kitchen sink (f*ck the kitchen sink), this world is screwed. I know that you'll keep doing it too, so all hope for mankind is lost for all time. But when it rains it pours, we will put all of our eggs in one basket, beat a dead horse, burn the midnight oil, burn bridges, burn the candle at both ends, take a shot in the dark, and judge books by their covers. We're all gonna die. God help us.

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- pookon -

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http://www.pookon.com/

email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

Brewers @ Dodgers 8/15 - 8/17 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 40 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers August 15 - August 17 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

I really wanted to be in Los Angeles for this series. It has been far too many years since I have been to Southern California, and I've been itching to go back. My Aunt and Uncle lived out there for much of my childhood, so we would go visit them every year around Christmas. When my Dad was working for Miller Brewery, my Mom and brother and sister moved out there for 6 long months. I went back to visit family and friends out there for several years, but that all changed when my Dad moved away from California. As far as I can recall, I haven't been back there since 2005 when we went out there for our friend Craig's Wedding. For someone who used to go there every year, it's been a little odd to go this long. I have since supplemented my need for West Coast mentality and In-N-Out Burger by making a yearly pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the World Series of Beer Pong, but it just isn't the same since there is no Ocean in Las Vegas. I was planning on going to see Craig, and also take some time to hang with the Film 101 Crew (the guys behind Last Cup : Road to the World Series of Beer Pong, the documentary that I am in) but I just couldn't do it. I spent all of my reserve money going to Las Vegas for the film premiere in mid June, and used up all of my vacation time when I went to Afterglow during the last week of July. With no money and no time, I had no choice but to watch these games from the safety of my living room on the East Side of Milwaukee. While I have no doubt that it would've been a sweet trip, my lack of vacation time and lack of funds made it impossible for me to know the truth. Besides, judging from the end results, 2 out of the 3 games would have been tough to watch. Uh-oh, I just spilled the beans. Not like you didn't already know. Ok then, on with the wrap-up.

Game 1 (Friday) - Manny Parra (9-6, 4.12 ERA) vs Chad Billingsley (12-9, 3.10 ERA)

Remember when Manny Parra was 9-2? I remember a little bit, but it is quickly fading. What started out as a very promising rookie campaign (although he technically is not qualified as a rookie because of service time) has headed south as of late. And you know, it's not like he's getting rocked for like 8 runs every time out, it's like he just isn't as sharp as he was midseason. I know that people are going to point out that he has exceeded his inning limit already this year, and that he should be used sparingly to avoid injury, and they may say that he's tired. I don't think that he is tired yet, but you can definitely see how much more pressure there is in during a full year at the Major League level versus the Minor Leagues. He's feeling it, and although has said that he will keep his rotation in place throughout the rest of the year, something has to be done to avoid Manny breaking down due to overwork. After all, we need him for the stretch run and possibly the playoffs. The Brewers scored 3 early runs, courtesy of Gabe Kapler's 2 run homerun. Kapler has been filling in for the injured Braun, and he has been doing a fantastic job. It's great to have quality veteran backups. Kapler is right up there with Torres and Kendall as best signing ever by Doug Melvin. I can't possibly heap any more praise upon them then I already have. But I certainly will try. Oh yeah, and Parra gave up 4 runs off of 10 hits in just 5 2/3 innings. Ugh. After the 1st 2 innings, the Brewers were basically shut down by the Dodgers pitching staff, and this game was over. Not a very good way to start off the series. Final score Dodgers 5, Brewers 3.

Brewers record : 70 - 53, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 2 (Saturday) - Dave Bush (7-9, 4.26 ERA) vs Derek Lowe (9-10, 3.99 ERA)

I should really be ashamed of myself. Although I was available to watch the game in its entirety, I chose to drink and work on my website. I'm a bit behind, so I decided that I could kill two birds with one stone (I hate myself for using that common and overused idiom) by typing and keeping the Brewers ESPN Gamecast open on the side of the screen. Since I was in the middle of moving, I only had 1 TV in my room (which is a rarity) and had to flip between the TV and my computer to watch the game or type. I was all liquored up, and when I do that, I usually feel like working on the site. I couldn't deny my inner creative genius from coming out and knocking out some of those long awaited web pages. Turns out that I missed one hell of a game to have my attention divided. Kapler, Cameron, and Hart each made fantastic unbelievable catches to save extra base hits, runs from scoring, and in Kapler's case, homeruns. Kapler's catch took him into the stands in left field, and it outdid Hart and Cameron because robbing a homerun always takes precedence on SportsCenter's web gems. If they allow more than 10, then all 3 catches would have made it. But they usually choose the best of the 3, and Kapler's catch will surely go down as one of the best defensive gems for the Brewers all season. Bush got lucky with the defense playing well behind him, but he also was good as he only allowed 2 runs off of 5 hits in 7 innings. JJ Hardy had himself a roller coaster 8th - 10th innings though. In the 8th, he hit a 2 run homerun that put the Brewers up 3 -2, then committed a costly error in the 9th that tied the game at 3 and cost Bush the win. But then he came through in the 10th inning with a single that scored Ray Durham from 2nd. Riske flirted with danger in the 10th, but struck out Manny Ramirez to end the game and I jumped around my empty room with drunken glee. Then I settled down, took a couple of victory shots, then resumed work on the sight. Great night all around. I just wish that I was able to watch the game and move at the same time. Moving is a real bitch. Final score Brewers 4, Dodgers 3.

Brewers record : 71 - 53, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 3 (Sunday) - Jeff Suppan (8-7, 4.62 ERA) vs Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 3.59 ERA)

(Written before the game) I hope that Jeff Suppan got a little bit of home cookin' at his LA area restaurant Soup's Grill, because he's going to need all the sustenance he can get to perform at an elevated level. The Brewers desperately needed a win to close out the road trip, so that the long ass flight from LA to Milwaukee isn't spent sulking. We want them to spend in celebrating and harassing the stewardesses...errr....flight attendants.

This game was as exciting as harassing flight attendants, getting arrested by the air marshal on the plane, being thrown in jail, appearing in court and paying fines; and it was just as painful too. Despite being a Sunday, I was unable to watch this game because I was moving all of the shit that I was not able to move on Thursday. So while Paul and I were carrying desk, dressers and couches up and down the stairs, the Brewers were busy getting beat by the Dodgers. Soup had a Suppan like day, as he allowed 4 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings. The offense was kept in check for 8 innings, but then suddenly awoke and remembered that they were playing baseball in the 9th inning. When I last heard the score, it was 5-1 in the 9th inning, and I was outside of radio contact from then on. When I heard that the Brewers scored 4 runs in the top of the 9th inning, I was ecstatic. The Brewers manufactured 2 runs, then Ryan Braun, playing in his first game in nearly a week, hit a 2 run homer in the 9th to tie it all up at 5-5. But then Villanueva gave up a walk off homerun to Andre Ethier with a man on 1st, then suddenly that comeback was wiped away and the Brewers were walking off the field while the Dodgers ganged up on Ethier at home plate. I'm almost glad I didn't see/hear it, because I don't know that I can handle that up and down influx of emotions. But I wish that I would have seen it, because a true Brewer fans rides along with the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, and the wins and the losses. I consider myself to be true Brew. But I just couldn't this day, because moving just really kicked my ass. Rough day all around, but I'm glad that it is over. Final score Dodgers 7, Brewers 5.

Brewers record : 71 - 54, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

So it didn't end exactly like we wanted it to, and although we lost this series, we still went 3-3 on this West Coast roadtrip. That's better than anything that we have done in years past, and in no means is it something to hang your head over. Although the Brewers are without a doubt better than both of these teams on paper, it is still a tall order to ask a visiting team to win or sweep the the series on the road. Baseball is one sport where there is such a homefield advantage, because the home team can decide the fate of the game with one swing of the bat and then it is over. Case in point - Ethier's walk off homerun in the 9th inning of Sunday's game. The Brewers scrapped so hard to come back and tie it, and all it takes is one homerun and the game is over. There's no extra innings, no shootouts or overtime. Game over man, game over. That's it. THAT IS IT. 1 team goes home happy and one team goes home sad. But it's ok, because the Dodgers have a bigger uphill climb to make it to the playoffs, but they can thank their lucky stars they only have to beat the Diamondbacks. We still have to beat the Cubs and Cardinals, the 1st and 3rd best teams in the league. But hey, I'll take a 3-3 roadtrip then come home to face the Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Play .500 on the road and clean up at home, and you'll be rockin' in the playoffs. But enough with that playoffs talk, we still have September to go until we can worry about the postseason. We gotta finish what's left on our plates before we even consider desert. Mmmm.... desert.

Next up - August 18 (Monday) - August 20 (Wednesday) Milwaukee Brewers vs Houston Astros at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

- pookon -

http://www.pookon.com/
email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

Brewers @ Padres 8/12 - 8/14 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 39 - Milwaukee Brewers @ San Diego Padres August 12 - August 14 at Petco Park Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

Times have always been tough for the Brewers on the West Coast. I don't know if it is the time difference, or the flight, or the distance from home, but I always cringe when I look at the schedule and see the West Coast road trip. Truth be told, the Padres, Giants and Giants really aren't that good (and I guess the same can be said for Arizona) so I don't understand why the Brewers struggle so much here. A lot is always said about Petco Park being a pitchers park, and due to the dimensions and location (by the salty sea) the ball carries differently there. It has a real spacious outfield, so the guys playing out there need to be on their toes. Besides that, I really don't get why it is tough to play there. I guess from my recliner or computer chair, I can sit back and judge without ever being asked to perform at a high level at that place, so I might as well shut my mouth before they put me out there to prove that I am better than them. I am a semi-professional athlete (thanks to my appearance in 3 consecutive World Series of Beer Pong competitions) but there's no way that I'm even remotely close to being in the same league as Gabe Kapler, Ryan Braun, Mike Cameron and Corey Hart. Those guys sure are something special. I wonder if they will factor into any of these road games (including the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.) In case you didn't get the hint, these outfielders will play a significant role in the outcome here. Gosh, I shouldn't have had to say that, I was laying it on pretty G D thick. Get your melon examined dude, you may have a screw loose. Sorry about the insults, I don't mean to lay it all on you. It's not your fault that you can't understand things. Blame your parents.

Game 1 (Monday) - Jeff Suppan (8-7, 4.56 ERA) vs Cha Seung Baek (4-7, 5.20 ERA)

Jeff Suppan really needed a good start today to keep the trend going. All 4 other pitchers did really well their last time out, and 3 out of the 4 of them personally secured victories but the Brewers were victorious in all 4 games. Suppan stepped up to the challenge and went 8 solid innings, giving up only 2 runs. Since the game is being played in San Diego, the game started at 9:00 pm central time, which was nice because on Mondays I only work until 7:00 pm. I met my brother Tim at the Oakland Trattoria and watched the game in its entirety, and got discounted drinks courtesy of his girlfriend Sarah, who works at the joint. I got some pasta in alfredo sauce and some sweet faccachia bread. All in all, it was a great night, but I'm making myself hungry right now just think about that food. I best get back to the game wrap-up, or I might start eating the keys off of my keyboard. Tht wuld mk it hrd t typ. Oh snap! Whr th hll did my lttrs go? Sht. Mike Cameron made his presence known at his former ballpark (he was a member of these Padres in 2006 + 2007) by hitting a homerun in his first at bat and making a couple of great defensive plays. Say what you want about his strikeouts and his .234 batting average - he is the best defender on the team, brings valuable veteran leadership, and has great power numbers (19 homeruns and 49 RBIs despite missing the entire month of April). I see no reason why we shouldn't exercise his 2009 option. Fielder added a 3 run homer, and he is quickly catching up to the team lead held by Braun, who is out of the lineup do to a muscle injury around his ribcage. Come back soon Braun. Final score Brewers 5, Padres 2.

Brewers record : 69 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 2 (Saturday) - CC Sabathia (13-8, 3.04 ERA) vs Josh Banks (3-5, 4.37 ERA)

I don't like to predict a win because I think that it can jinx it, but I guaranteed this win. I would have put some money down on the game, but my work computer has blocked my online gambling webpage. Bastards. Why can't I gamble and look at porn at work? There's nothing wrong with that, right? They also blocked EBay, which really doesn't give me anything to do. Thankfully, they allow me to access ESPN's Gameday, so I can at least follow my Brewers when I'm stuck in this hellhole during a game. I really wished that I did toss some money down, because once again I would've made some dollars off of CC and the boys. In a rare oddity, CC Sabathia didn't pitch a complete game, and only made it through 7 today. It was ok though, because he only allowed 1 run and the offense spotted him 7 to work with. Fielder his another homerun today, but Corey Hart was the big hero today, as he went 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored. The big strike was his bases clearing triple in the 5th inning that sealed the deal. Orf orf orf, like that slot machine up at the Lac Vieux Desert Casino in Watersmeet. What more can you say about CC? Every single time he goes out there and effectively prices himself out of Milwaukee's range. At least we can appreciate him while he is here. Hooray for CC! I love you. Final score Brewers 7, Padres 1.

Brewers record : 70 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 3 (Sunday) - Ben Sheets (11-6, 3.00 ERA) vs Jake Peavy (9-8, 2.61 ERA)

The mighty Ben Sheets has ace envy, and it seems he no longer believes in himself. His pitches just don't have that same zip and life on them, and he is really starting to disappoint me. Today was a day game, and I had off of work, so normally I would be allowed to sit and watch the entire game and probably open up some fine Milwaukee brewed beverages, but today was not a normal day. Since I don't own a car, I had to borrow my Mom's to start moving into my new apartment. It's a good thing that I missed the majority of this game, because for the most part it was not very fun to watch. Sheets actually did his part today, going 7 innings and allowing 3 runs (although those runs all came around to score in the 7th inning). The offense pulled a 2004 on him and gave him little to no run support, and the often criticized Mike Cameron provided all of the offense today. He knocked in a run in the 7th, and hit a solo homerun in the 9th, but that's all that Milwaukee could muster against Jake Peavy and the Padres bullpen. It was Sheets vs Peavy, and you expected a high scoring affair? It's just too bad the Brewers couldn't pull this one out, but it's to be expected when facing a pitcher like Peavy. Final score Padres 3, Brewers 2.

Brewers record : 70 - 52, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

I hate the expectations that I put on this team in 2008. They win 2 of 3 on the road against a West Coast team and I'm pissed off that they didn't sweep the series. I figure since it is the Padres (who should be the worst team in the NL, but those lowly Washington Nationals keep on losing) the Brewers should win every single game. But they didn't. It sucks for Sheets to keep losing, but this one really wasn't his fault. He just kind of gave up too many runs too late in the game and the Brewers offense got stymied by Peavy and Hoffman. But hey, it happens more often than not. So now we have to take some kind of momentum going up The 5 to Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are another team struggling in the pathetic NL West, but the Brewers have also historically played poorly at Dodger Stadium. I guess we'll see, but since I already know, I have to live without optimism of that series. Curse me and these post-series wrap-ups.

Next up - August 15 (Friday) - August 17 (Sunday) Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

- pookon -

http://www.pookon.com/
email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

Brewers vs Nationals 8/8 - 8/11 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 38 - Milwaukee Brewers vs Washington Nationals August 8 - August 11 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

Some people may say that it is cruel beating up someone who is smaller and weaker than you, and for the most part, I agree with them. Except when it comes to sports. If you can't hang with the big boys, then you shouldn't be playing. The Montreal Expos were the laughing stock of Major League Baseball, so what did they do? Move to Washington D.C. so that they still could be the laughing stock of Major League Baseball. The Expos had some good teams, and terrific players in their past (Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez, Andrew Dawson, Tim Raines) but they never amounted to anything and the fan support dwindled to less than 10,000 per game. That, and the fact that they were sold, led them to relocate to Washington D.C. But they are still the worst team in the NL, and can't compete with teams like the Brewers. I challenge you to name 1 player on the Washington Nationals. The only one that I can remember is Ryan Zimmerman, mostly because he was int he running for rookie of the year in 2006 (the same year Prince Fielder was in contention. It eventually went to Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins.) But in 2008, the Brewers beat up teams like the Nationals, steal their lunch money, give them wedgies, and make them go home crying to their Mommies. It's not mean, it's just baseball. The Brewers were one of those teams a few years ago, so I know exactly what it's like for your hometown team to suck. It hurts, which is why I'm glad that the Brewers finally decided to be a better team. Geez, took them long enough. So with the Nationals in town for a quick 4-game homestand, we should have plenty of chances for victories. If we can't beat teams like the Nationals, then we should just move the team down to Huntsville and let the Stars come up and take their roster spots. You don't deserve to play Major League baseball if you can't beat teams worse than you. But since the Brewers did come out on top (in all 4 games, sorry to spill the beans prematurely) no one, not even Craig Counsell, has to worry about their roster spot being taken by some 22-year old future superstar. Ok, so enough of that, on with the wrap-up.

Game 1 (Friday) - CC Sabathia (12-8, 3.11 ERA) vs Collin Balester (2-4, 4.66 ERA)

Is there anything that CC Sabathia can't do? Well, he can't fit into a little man's coat, has trouble with legroom in airplanes and cars, and isn't satisfied by the Big Box meal at Taco Bell, but he sure as hell does everything when he steps on the field. Sabathia, (much to the delight of the home crowd) shut down the lowly Nationals and kept them off of the scoreboard. He even chipped in with 1 of Milwaukee's 6 base hits. Fielder, Hart and Cameron put the Brewers on the board early (Brewers leading 4-0 after 3 innings) and that's all that they needed, although Hardy tacked on a solo home run in the 7th just for good measure. If it were possible, you could give CC Sabathia just 1/2 of a run, and he would still lead the Brewers to victory by pitching a complete game shutout. That would be an interesting score - Brewers 1/2, Nationals 0. But the Brewers spotted him 5, and he rocked Miller Park, and the fans went wild. Enjoy it while you can Brewers fans, because you won't be seeing a pitcher of this caliber again until Gallardo gets a couple of years under his belt. Final score Brewers 5, Nationals 6.

Brewers record : 65 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 2 (Saturday) - Ben Sheets (11-5, 2.95 ERA) vs Tim Redding (8-7, 4.61 ERA)

It has been duly noted by all of the sports reporting people (JSOnline, ESPN, etc.) that Ben Sheets has struggled since CC Sabathia joined the Brewers. They were dubbed co-aces of this pitching staff, but there's only 1 person who has performed like an ace, and it isn't Ben Sheets. Maybe Sheets has ace envy, or maybe he's finally seeing what makes up a true ace. Whatever the case was, it's a tall order to ask Ben Sheets to follow up CC Sabathia's complete game shutout performance yesterday. No matter what he does today, it will pale in comparison to Sabathia's gem. Except for tossing a complete game shutout of his own, which is exactly what he did. But how exactly do they compare, and who came out ahead? Here is a look at the stats.

CC Sabathia : 9 IP, 5 hits, 1 BB, 0 ER, 9 strikeouts

Ben Sheets : 9 IP, 5 hits, 0 BB, 0 ER, 6 strikeouts

A little too close to call, right? You might say that Sabathia had a better day because he struck out more batters, and by saying that you are correct. However, let us also compare their hitting totals, since when you pitch 9 innings, you are going to get 4 plate appearances in which to help yourself and your team earn the victory.

CC Sabathia : 1 for 4, 0 RBI, 1 strikeout

Ben Sheets : 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout

As far as hitting goes, Ben Sheets wins that one. But these guys don't get paid to hit, they get paid to pitch. So that means the winner for the "Which co-Ace is the real Ace" competition goes to.....CC Sabathia (again.) Ben Sheets once again doesn't stand a chance when being compared to this winning machine, and CC once again steamrolls the competition. Although they aren't competing (cause their on the same team) CC knows in his heart and in his mind that he is better. Well CC, I bet it must feel good to be right. I'm not saying that I don't like Ben Sheets, but if I had 100 chances to chose either Ben Sheets or CC Sabathia, I'd probably use CC 90 out of 100. I choose Ben 4 times for each of his complete game shutouts, 1 for his 18 game strikeout performance against Atlanta in 2004, 1 for his Olympic Gold medal in 2000, 1 for his Cy Young caliber season in 2004, 1 for being the opening day starter for the Brewers, 1 for the his Brewers record 265 strikeouts in 2004, and 1 for being the longest tenured player on the team. CC gets 90 votes for being CC. Enough said. So that was a lot of meaningless debate, because everyone in their right mind is going to say that CC is bar far a superior pitcher than Ben Sheets. But Sheets was damn near perfect today, and if he keeps matching CC, we are unstoppable. Oh, and the Brewers offense scored 6 runs today instead of the 5 that they gave to CC. The Brewers did what they did best, and balls were flying out of the park courtesy of Durham (his 1st as a Brewer), Hardy, and Hart. Final score Brewers 6, Nationals 0.

Brewers record : 66 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 3 (Sunday) - Manny Parra (9-5, 4.02 ERA) vs John Lannan (6-11, 3.40 ERA)

After CC and Benny had shut down the Nationals offense, a lot was riding on Manny Parra's already heavy shoulders. He kept them off the board for 5 innings, but then gave up a run. He finished with 7 innings pitched and allowed only that 1 run, and struck out 9 batters. So that was good, but here in Milwaukee we have to take the good with the bad. Eric Gagne keeps proving that he is a useless turd, and today I officially renounce my support of him. I trusted Doug Melvin when he brought him in to be our closer, because I trust Mr. Melvin to a fault. But Melvin made a mistake on this one, and he way overpaid for that Candian steroid injecting loser. It's impossible for Gagne to lower his ERA below 6.00 at this point (it's at a sky high 6.98!) and I wouldn't be surprised if the Brewers left him off of the playoff roster (considering that they make it there) just like the Boston Red Sox did last year. Gagne came in with the game tied at 1-1 and gave up 3 runs (2 of them being homeruns) in the 8th inning, and I left the game. I was working (it was a Sunday) so normally I would stay till the end, win or loss, but today we were having a get together in my Mom's backyard to celebrate my Nana + Papa's 54th Wedding Anniversary. Since my brother Tim was coming to pick me up, I had to leave at the time that I did. Gagne's poor excuse for pitching certainly helped sway my decision towards leaving. But somewhere between the Stadium and my Mom's house (a mere 6 miles), the Brewers tied the game at 4 on a Mike Rivera bases-clearing double. That guy should really play more often, but I also value what Jason Kendall has done with this pitching staff this year. Kendall should take a few days off to stay fresh for the playoffs (once again, considering that they make it there) in September, but chances are that he'll start every game and look ragged at seasons end. Gabe Kapler emerged as the hero today, and my family cheered loud from my Mom's living room as he hit a walk-off homerun in the 12th inning to clinch the series. The Brewers had way too many chances to score runs today, and the fact that they left 16 men on base is troubling. But forget all of your troubles, since the Brewers won today. And then I got to eat brats, potato salad, and taco dip, drink some Miller Chill and slap the bag of box wine in my Mom's basement. That sounds like a good day. Final score Brewers 5, Nationals 4.

Brewers record : 67 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 4 (Monday) - Dave Bush (7-9, 4.35 ERA) vs Garrett Mock (0-3, 5.59ERA)

Today's game was one of those rare 4 game series wrap-around games. And a day game at that, no less. The game was not on TV today, but I didn't care because I started work at 10:30 am and caught the game as usual on ESPN's gamecast. The only big thing to discuss in this win was Rickie Week's 10th homerun of the game. The reason that it is so important is that with this homerun, the Brewers now have 8 players in double digits. I'm using today's stats (as of August 19 because I'm too lazy to go back and look up what they were on August 11). Leading the way is Braun (31), followed by Fielder (28), Cameron (21), Hart (19), Hardy (18), Hall (14), Branyan (12) and Weeks (10). I know that chicks and Bernie dig the long ball, but it isn't necessarily a good or bad thing that we hit this many. As long as we can manufacture some runs when the ball isn't flying out of the park, then I'm fine if they bash the living shit out of the baseball. Bush continued to lower his ERA (I don't want to jinx it, but it's approaching 4.00) and the Brewers continued to score runs against the Nationals. And there you have it, a 4 game sweep of the worst team in baseball. Congratulations Milwaukee, way to make those lowly Nationals feel even worse about themselves. Jerks. But they are my kind of jerks. Final score Brewers 7, Nationals 1.

Brewers record : 68 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

It was a short homestand, but it was a short awesome 4 game winning homestand. Truth be told, it was just the Nationals, and we're expected to win these games, but a win is a win, no matter who you play. When I look in the Win column at the end of the year, I won't see which teams they beat and which one they didn't, because every W gets counted the same way. I'll certainly remember some of the big wins that set this season apart from others, but the bottom line will always be the same. If you can't win games, you don't go to the playoffs. So tack on 4 more Ws to our win total courtesy of the Washington Nationals. Come to town anytime you feel like it boys, the capacity crowds at Miller Park will always welcome you with open arms. Of course, we'll beat you on the field, make you feel like a bunch of losers, then send you packing. But hey, at least you can come to Milwaukee and enjoy some brats, beer and ethnic festivals. That's got to count for something, right? Pleasure doing business with you Washington, and I see that your baseball team is as effective as your politicians. Ooo... sick burn. If I knew more about politics (or if I really gave a damn) then I could use this space to make satirical quips about the state of our country's electoral and political system and its candidates. But since I don't, I'll just leave this blog entry satisfied that I was able to make 1 good jab at politicians. That is all for now.

Next up - August 12 (Tuesday) - August 14 (Thursday) Milwaukee Brewers @ San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, CA

- pookon -

http://www.pookon.com/
email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

Brewers @ Reds 8/4 - 8/6 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 37 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Cincinnati Reds August 4 - August 6 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH

Everyone (except those lousy Northsiders) can agree that the Brewers - Cubs series was a horrendous affair, but winning 2 out of 3 in Atlanta then traveling to Cincinnati to play the last place Reds sweetened those feelings a little bit. I'll still be pissed off at the Cubs (it's in my blood) but at least I can sleep a little easier at night when the 2008 Brewers win on the road, which is something that their predecessors could never figure out how to do. The 2007 Milwaukee Brewers finished with a horrid 32 - 49 record, something that they have identified as a problem. So far this year, (after this series) they are 32 - 28, which matches their win total from last year, and we still have 1 1/2 months left to play. Outstanding. Sure, their home record isn't as ridiculously good as it was last year, but it's good enough that the Brewers have one of the best records in the National League. That fact that we started to play better on the road could signal a real turn around, and i hate to jinx it, but I know where I'll be in October. Enough with that though, there's still plenty of baseball to be played. Now on with the wrap-up.

Game 1 (Monday) - Manny Parra (9-5, 4.18 ERA) vs Bronson Arroyo (10-8, 5.55 ERA)

Wanna know an easy way to tell that the Brewers lost when looking at my blog entry? I only write like a mini paragraph wrap-up. Unless something happens during the game that really pisses me off, why sit and dwell on a loss? That's the beauty of baseball - until the last few days in September, there's always another game tomorrow. That usually would apply to a loss, but this just isn't any loss, this was a really tough loss. On the field, it was pretty average. Manny Parra gave up 6 runs in 6 innings (but they all came in the 5th and 6th) which led to my next point. Off the field however, was an entirely different story. From my perspective (and from what I read online) this is what happened. Parra had a no hitter going into the 5th, then he totally lost it and allowed all the runs. The Brewers were suddenly down 6-0, and Manny was pinch hit for in the 7th. Parra grabbed his jacket to go back to the clubhouse, and Prince Fielder shoved him towards the bench, and said something, which most figure to be along the lines of sit down and stay with your team while we bat instead of going back to the clubhouse. Sure, there were expletives in there as well (it was caught on TV by the cameras) and when Manny got up and kept on walking, Prince shoved him again, and this time it was in the face. Ray Durham, Dave Bush, Ryan Braun, and Mike Maddux did a rumble fumble pile-on on top of Prince to stop him from murdering Parra. It looked pretty ugly on TV, but I guess it was just Prince losing his cool. They resolved everything the next day, and I really don't see any long term effects happening from it. Prince is a really aggressive person, and he was just blowing off some steam. Baseball players are like brothers, and like real life brothers, they get into fights. Just imagine your family and how much time you spend with them, and then think about these players. Most of them come from very different backgrounds, and they are expected to get along with each other. For the most part they do, and from what I hear, the Brewers have some of the best team chemistry in the entire league because they all are friends and get along well. After all, the core nucleus of the team all came up through the minors together. But every now and then you get into a fight with your best friends or siblings. Trust me, it happens. If it doesn't happen to you, then in no way are you human. Humans make mistakes, because not a single one of us is perfect. So it was an unfortunate event, and we wouldn't have even talked about it except for the fact that it was broadcast on TV. So I mentioned it too, and gave my rationale. So that's what happened, the Brewers scored a couple late runs, but it wasn't enough to take the focus off of Fielder and Parra, nor was it enough to win the game. Final score Reds 6, Brewers 3.

Brewers record : 62 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 2 (Tuesday) - Dave Bush (6-9, 4.50 ERA) vs Edinson Volquez (13-5, 2.93 ERA)

After that dugout flair up yesterday, the Brewers could have gone either way. They could have stayed mad at each other and held grudges, which would result in poor chemistry, poor attitude, and poor play. Last year, the team would have tanked and had a rotten August. In fact, last year they did tank and have a rotten August following the shouting match between Ned Yost and Tony Graffanino and Johnny Estrada. But this isn't last year's team. This team responded by ganging up on Edinson Volquez, who has been one of the lone bright spot on an otherwise dull team. The hit him up for 5 runs in 5 innings, then tacked on some more on the bullpen arms. Those add on runs are the most important, because the Brewers traditionally score early and shut it down after that, allowing the other team to make a comeback. Since they kept scoring runs, and Dave Bush was once again magnificent, the Reds didn't even stand a chance. The way that they played today erased that dugout fracas out of my mind, and showed me that they were a resilient team. Hey, maybe this is our year after all. This was a really big game, and I have no doubt in my mind that this game (and yesterday's) will be looked upon as one of the roadmarkers in the 2008 season. Final score Brewers 8, Reds 1.

Brewers record : 63 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 3 (Wednesday) - Jeff Suppan (7-7, 4.70 ERA) vs Homer Bailey (0-6, 7.93 ERA)

Since the All-Star break, CC, Big Ben, Manny, and DB have been outstanding. Hmmm.... who I am leaving off of that list? Oh I know, Soup. His contract has kept him in the starting rotation, but it is time for him to start producing results. I know that he was money last year in September, and that he most likely will again. His veteran presence and leadership, not to mention playoff experience will no doubt prove valuable to this team down the stretch run this year. But he still needs to take the mound every 5 days and perform. That is the bottom line all that I ask of him. Everything else is a bonus. Soup responded to my criticism by tossing a quality start - 7 innings pitched, 3 runs allowed. The Brewers offense doubled up on the Reds, and the Brewers won what could have been an incredibly disastrous series. Good show today, mostly because they scored all 6 runs without the benefit of a single home run. For a team that struggles with runners in scoring position, that's huge. Final score Brewers 6, Reds 3.

Brewers record : 64 - 51, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

When people mention the Reds series in August, the dugout altercation will certainly come to mind first. Hopefully by then it will be looked upon as a positive. Fighting is never good, and I really don't believe in physical violence because I don't think you can solve a problem with your fists, but it was less of a fight and more of a conflict. There are a very few lessons I have remembered from my Communication classes in college (alcohol has killed a lot of my brain cells), but I do remember that conflict is not always a bad thing. Conflict is generally viewed as fighting, but the word conflict is actually defined as "to come into collision or disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash." One of the definition does involve "a fight, battle, or struggle, esp. a prolonged struggle; strife." but it doesn't always involve fighting. This conflict was fairly normal, although it probably looked a lot worse than it actually was. And the seasons, they go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down. We're captive on a carousel of time. We can't return, we can only look, behind from where we came. And go round and round and round in the circle game. That really made no sense right there, but I just felt like sticking it in there. Gotta love Afterglow, cause it allows me to put in seemingly irrelevant things in this blog, since only those closest to me will get it. So in your face everyone who doesn't know me, you don't get all the inside jokes. Gee, that's a wonderful way to attract new readers, eh? By flat out making fun of them? I never was too good at that 1st impression shit. Good day sir.

Next up - August 8 (Friday) - August 11 (Monday) Milwaukee Brewers vs Washington Nationals at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

- pookon -

http://www.pookon.com/
email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

Brewers @ Braves 8/1 - 8/3 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 36 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Atlanta Braves August 1 - August 3 at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA

The Brewers returned to Turner Field to take on the Braves, and if they don't win 2 of 3 games, I'll be pissed. It's tough to ask your team to win a series on the road, but then again, we're going against a Braves team that has it's 3 best pitchers on the disabled list (Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz), traded away one of their best offensive players (Mark Texiera) and has major league batting average leader (Chipper Jones) also on the disabled list. That is a recipe for disaster if the main dish is winning. I advise you to read on, although by now you should already know the outcome of the series. Without further ado, on with the wrap-up.

Game 1 (Friday) - Jeff Suppan (6-7, 4.75 ERA) vs Chuck James (2-4, 9.47 ERA)

The credit for this game will most likely go to the Brewers offense, but I'd like to take the time to give some of that credit where credit is due - Jeff Suppan. The Brewers had just lost 4 in a row to the Cubs, and before that they had lost 2 of 3 to the Astros, so they desperately needed a win today. Winning begins and ends with pitching and defense, and the offense (to keep the food analogies alive) is the icing on the cake. Suppan pitched 7 shutout innings, and Shouse and Mota continued the trend by also shutting down the Braves. The Brewers offense came back alive, after only scoring a combined 11 runs in 4 games against the Cubs. In this game alone, they scored 9 runs, which my cousins and I thought was pretty ridiculous. Why couldn't they just have scored more against the Cubs? Gosh. Sometimes this game really pisses me off. But there's no reason to be upset right now, because the Brewers won. On the road. So I'm very excite. Wah wah wee woo. Final score Brewers 9, Braves 0.

Brewers record : 61 - 49, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 2 (Saturday) - CC Sabathia (11-8, 3.28 ERA) vs Charlie Morton (2-5, 6.56 ERA)

Today's game was an Afternoon game, and although I was really sad that we were leaving Afterglow, I had some happiness in store for me because I could listen to the game on the radio on the drive home. I turned it on right at the beginning, and listened all the way through the end. CC Sabathia came out and dominated once again, and he was 2 outs away from yet another complete game. Saloman Torres came on to get the last 2 outs and his 21st save of the season. Prince Fielder hit yet another homerun, and although I haven't previously mentioned his recent homerun binge, but he has hit 5 in like the last 5 games. Fielder had 3 of the 4 RBIs today, and backed up his boy CC, who was impressive on the mound again. My favorite part of this game was when we stopped in Oshkosh to get some gas, and I bought a giant Slushee and one of those small 5-hour energy bottles. Why was that my favorite part of the game? Because I freakin' love Slushees, that's why. Oh, and those 5-hour energy bottles that work better than caffeine or energy drinks? I must be immune to them cause the 5-hour energy thing didn't do shit for me. But thankfully I was able to stay awake behind the wheel, and I'd like to think that I have Bob Uecker to thank for that. It wouldn't be the 1st time that Mr. Baseball saved my life, but that's another story for another day. Final score Brewers 4, Braves 2.

Brewers record : 62 - 49, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Game 3 (Sunday) - Ben Sheets (10-5, 3.14 ERA) vs Jorge Campillo (6-4, 2.58 ERA)

The Brewers had become road warriors as of late, and were in line to sweep their 3rd consecutive road series, and had a great chance to do it with Ben Sheets on the mound. Only as of late, we had been getting a way different Ben Sheets. I was supposed to go to State Fair today, but instead I stayed home to watch the Brewers game and lay in bed. I was pretty partied out from the weeks' festivities at Afterglow, so I needed a day to readjust and decompress. Ben Sheets (and the Brewers offense too, both need to be held accountable) must not have known that I was going to 100 % commit my full attention to this game, since neither one performed admirably today. Sheets continued his downward spiral since the acquisition of CC Sabathia (I'm sensing a little ace envy), and the Brewers offense was kept off of the board by Jorge Campillo. In all fairness, Campillo has been excellent this year, and has beaten the Brewers in all 3 appearances against them this year. It's a good thing that the Brewers no longer have to face him or the Braves this year. Game over man. Final score Braves 5, Brewers 0.

Brewers record : 62 - 50, 2nd place NL Central, 1st place NL Wild Card

Hey, so we won 2 out of 3 on the road, which is great. Sure, the sweep would have been amazing, but it would also be amazing if more than 5 people thought I was cool. Oh, and I know what you're thinking, more than 3 people already thing that I am cool. But then let me remind you that my family doesn't count. So yeah, less than 5 people think I'm cool. But don't worry about that right now, because the Brewers are getting back on a roll. Sure, it was disappointing to lose to the Cubs at home (to say the least), but at least we won 2 out of 3 against the injury riddled Braves. Now that's something that will help me sleep at night. We're still leading the Wild Card race, which is as good as ours unless we really tank it during the next few weeks. I don't see that happening, not this year, so I'll be dancing in October down Wisconsin Ave with the rest of the city. You better be there.

Next up - August 4 (Monday) - 6 (Wednesday) Milwaukee Brewers @ Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, OH

- pookon -

http://www.pookon.com/
email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

Brewers vs Cubs 7/28 - 7/31 : Series Wrap-Up

Series 35 - Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs July 28 - July 31 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI

The Brewers started this series just 2 games behind the Cubs, with a chance to really do some damage in the NL Central and take over that coveted 1st place in the division. What could have been a dream result ended in a nightmare, and I'm once again glad to say that I was unable to be present for any of these 4 games. You see, I was still up at Afterglow, but I had convinced the man running the joint, Pete, to put the games on in the lounge. About half of the people that go up there hail from Illinois, and the rest come from Wisconsin. There's a few other people from the rest of the country sprinkled in their, but all of the people that I hang out with up there come from the good state (Wisconsin) and the evil state (Illinois). The winner of this series would have series bragging rights, so there was a lot on the line, for the Brewers and for us. Without further ado, I bring you the 2nd most anticipated series of the entire year. 2nd you say? Then what's the 1st? That would be September 26th-28th, which is the last series of the year, at home, against these same Chicago Cubs. Many people had forecast that the division winner would be determined during these final 3 games, and that it would come right down to the wire. I personally hope that it doesn't come down to that, because I couldn't handle it if the Brewers lost to the Cubs and missed the playoffs. So this 4 game series at Miller Park was incredibly huge, especially if it would come back to haunt us later in the year. This would be a really great chance for the Brewers to not screw it up. Unfortunately for all of us in Brewers Blue, they did not get that memo. So on with this depressing wrap-up.

Game 1 (Monday) - CC Sabathia (10-8, 3.33 ERA) vs Ted Lilly (10-6, 4.49 ERA)

What better way to start off this series then with a bang? We'd be sending big CC Sabathia against lefthander Ted Lilly. The game started at 7:00 pm, which was conveniently after the annual Afterglow potluck dinner. Since everyone was already gathered at the fire pit, nearly 40 people wandered up into the lodge for the game. I brought along some cans of PBR and the remainder of my box wine, and was instantly disappointed when the Cubs scored a run in the 1st inning and the Cubs fans high-fived each other. Soriano hit a homerun in the 3rd to put the Cubs on top 2-0, and the shit talking began. But it was quickly quieted in the 6th inning, when JJ Hardy and Ryan Braun hit back-to-back solo homeruns. It went crazier when Corey Hart hit a double to score Prince Fielder, although Hart was thrown out at 3rd. But the Brewers scored 3 runs, and took the lead. In the 7th, the Cubs scored again, but Russell the Muscle hit a pinch hit homerun to tie it back up at 4 a piece. The Cubs scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but the Brewers didn't have any comeback magic left in them. The worst part about the game was that I kept on asserting my love and support for Rickie Weeks, who went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts today and made a costly error in the 7th that allowed the Cubs to score that inning. My brother James and my Uncles were giving me a hard time because I'm the last person (besides Yost and Week's Parents) who still believes in him. The Cubs fans were all excited, the Brewers fans were all upset, and I went to sleep feeling sad. Going to sleep sad is never a good thing because all kids are supposed to think happy thoughts and have sweet dreams. On this night, I guess I just wasn't one of those kids. Final score Cubs 6, Brewers 4.

Brewers record : 60 - 46, 3rd place NL Central

Game 2 (Tuesday) - Ben Sheets (10-4, 3.14 ERA) vs Carlos Zambrano (12-4, 2.80 ERA)

We needed a rebound win today, and we needed it really bad. The Brewers couldn't win behind their true Ace CC Sabathia, so they would have to do it behind their former Ace Ben Sheets. After the huge letdown that was game 1, I didn't really even bother to watch this one. When I heard that Ben Sheets absolutely imploded in the 6th inning, gave up 5 runs and the Cubs batted around, I was thankful that I was too busy swimming to watch this game. No amount of explaining and rational can put a positive spin on this game, and it was, as the old man on I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry said, an abomination. There's really not much else to say, except that the Brewers got a garbage run in the 9th inning to avoid the shutout. Final score Cubs 6, Brewers 1.

Brewers record : 60 - 47, 3rd place NL Central

Game 3 (Wednesday) - Manny Parra (9-4, 3.93 ERA) vs Ryan Dempster (12-4, 2.90 ERA)

After losing the 1st 2 games behind Sabathia and Sheets, I really didn't have high hopes for the Brewers and Manny Parra going up against Ryan Dempster. I'm still pissed off that Dempster has been successful as a member of the starting rotation, since he hasn't been a starter since like 2002. How can a guy who was only a closer (1 inning per game) suddenly become an effective starter who tosses 7 innings a game? The guy's arm should be falling off by now, but he is 12-4 with a sub 3 ERA. That's just one of the 1000s of reasons that I hate the Cubs. The Brewers were outplayed and outmatched once again, and the Cubs were just rolling right over the Brewers. It looks like it was really rough, and I steered clear away from this one as well. Just thinking about it is making me angry...and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Moving on. Final score Cubs 7, Brewers 2.

Brewers record : 60 - 48, 3rd place NL Central

Game 4 (Thursday) - Dave Bush (5-9, 4.69 ERA) vs Rich Harden (6-2, 2.04 ERA)

Our 3 best pitchers (Sabathia, Sheets and Parra) couldn't get it done, so I knew there was little hope for Dave Bush to walk away with the victory. I held out hope for this game, because Dave Bush has been sparkling when pitching at home, but when he gave up a grand slam to Jim Edmonds in the 4th inning (after giving up a solo homerun to him in the previous inning) I walked out of the room. Yes, the same Jim Edmonds who couldn't cut it with the last place San Diego Padres and was released on waivers. That same Jim Edmonds is now tearing it up for the Cubs. Go figure. I hate to give up, toss in the towel, raise the white flag, or capitulate to the enemy, but at that point I was straight up sick of the Cubs. I had better things to do with my time (like win at horseshoes and swim the keg route) then to watch this crap.

Brewers record : 60 - 49, 3rd place NL Central

Disgusting. Abysmal. Upsetting. Uncalled for. Way out of line. Bogus. Ridiculous. Nonsense. Blasphemous. Horrendous. These are just some of the words (at least the ones that I can print without my Mom washing my mouth out with soap) that come to mind when describing this series. Instead of making up some ground, we fall to 5 games behind the Cubs. Sure, there's still plenty of time to make up those games and attempt to take the NL Central crown away from the Cubs, but after this series, it doesn't look very likely. It's going to be a huge uphill struggle to win the Central, but thankfully we are still in the lead for the NL Wild Card. While you should always go for the gold (NL Central Champions), I have no problem settling for the silver (NL Wild Card) since it has been 26 years since we've been in the playoffs. It was a rough series for the Crew, but at least I didn't have to be one of those fans sitting in sold out Miller Park watching their home team get steamrolled by those FIBs from the South. Now that would have really sucked.

Next up - Milwaukee Brewers vs Atlanta Braves August 1 (Friday) - August 2 (Sunday) at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA

- pookon -

www.pookon.com

email : pookondotcom@gmail.com

I just really want to be funny right now

I'm sitting here at work looking all goofy (I just shaved off my goatee for the first time in a year) and I feel like being funny right now. I know that I look funny, which is why I grew out the goatee for this first time in my life a few years ago. I had to go clean shaven for a while when I worked at the Pfister Hotel because they haven't changed their grooming policies since like when Theodore Roosevelt was president. That was real rough, cause I hate shaving. But last night, I just got hot and shaved my head and face. I'd blame the alcohol ($2 long island ice teas at Landmark last night) and the nachos and cheese sauce, but I guess in this case I have no one left to blame but myself. I just kind of felt like it. So now I have to go around looking like a 15 year old boy but not hot, and letting people make fun of me. But if I look good and the chicks dig it, then maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. The chicks didn't dig me before, so I guess there's no harm in trying something else.

My main reason for posting today was to break up the monotony of Brewers stuff, because I really didn't want to talk shit about Prince Fielder's gangsta ass starting street brawls in the dugout. Everyone from my boss, the ESPN, to your Mom is talking about that, and I just became the very thing that I hate my talking about it too. You tricked me into doing it. You played me like a fiddle. Touche. I really just have this undying need to be funny right now, but I have nothing humorous to say. I suppose if I concentrated and thought really hard, then I could think of something funny. I got it! I'll start talking about old people.

There's this old chick who sits next to me at work, and she always bitches and moans about stuff. One day, she was balancing her checkbook, and complained that she didn't remember writing a check for 12 dollars. I wanted to ask her if one of her grand kids had a birthday. When Estelle Getty (the old witty grandma Sophia on the Golden Girls) died a few weeks ago, I wanted to ask her to tell me some stories about what was it like working with her on that show. I told one of my co-workers that I wish she had a ceramic jar on her desk with Werther's Originals and butterscotch hard candies. Every now and then, she gets all worked up and needs to take her medications to calm down. Then she starts popping those pills like they were skittles. I just wish I had the nerve to ask her if she was tasting the rainbow.

There's this other chick up North who was being a real Nancy while we were trying to play the Painted Ponies song (and others of that sort) around the campfire late at night on the last day of vacation. Quiet time wasn't until midnight, but she made us get kicked out at 11:30 pm. I've never been a huge fan of old people, but she gave me a reason to keep on being weirded out by them. On that day I vowed to never get old, and I also promised to learn Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" on guitar so I can rage it at the fire pit next year. Hey Nancy - oh you're so condescending, your gall is never ending. We don't want nothin', not a thing from you. Your life is trite and jaded, boring and confiscated. If that's your best, your best won't do. Any of those 80's rock songs would work here, but I'd say let me help you outta your chair....grandma!! Hearing unknown voices... laughing insane!

But not all grannies are bad. There's this other chick who swims across the lake everyday, and in my opinion, lives a pretty sweet life. She recently remarried, and in a drunken stupor one night I boldly proclaimed that I'd go for some granny lovin' if that meant free rent. It wouldn't be all that bad, since I'm down for waking up at the crack of dawn, 4:00 pm dinners at Ponderosa or Old Country Buffett, watching Matlock and the History Channel, and afternoon naps. Grandma's are pretty sweet, and I'd totally give up my hard core party lifestyle to go to the casino to play bingo, go to church meetings, and get ice cream with the grand kids. It'd certainly be a lot better than the kind of shit I'm doing right now. It would be like retiring, but still being young enough (27) to not be old and be waiting on death's doorstep.

I guess I already kind of look old. In that picture up above, I kind of look like Michael Chiklis from the Commish, the Shield, and the Fantastic 4 movies. Since he's 45 years old, that makes me look old enough to be hanging out with 65 + year old chicks, so I guess then it is ok to be granny lovin'. Why in the hell am I sitting here trying to rationalize granny lovin' for free rent and dollars? From all of the stuff I listed above, it really sounds like a pretty freakin' sweet deal to me. If Michael Chiklis, arguably one of the most badass people in the world, can do some granny lovin', then why the hell can't I? I'd like to note for the record that Chiklis doesn't do granny lovin', but hey, nobody's perfect.

If you can think of something on the contrary, then feel free to leave your comments in the appropriate section below. Not enough people read/comment on my ramblings here, so I don't know whether or not you agree/disagree with me. I know that I'm right, it's just a question if you believe me.

So don't knock granny lovin' until you try it. I'm seemingly all for it, because it sounds like an easy out of this crap I'm in right now, but let it be known that things are not always as good as they appear to be. I haven't tried granny lovin', cause I'm all talk and no game. Before people get all uppity on my case over this posting today, it was just a stupid idea that came to me in a drunken stupor one night after too much S-ing the B (slapping the bag of boxwine) up on Kurutz's Kourt. I apologize for any geriatrics that were harmed (fell and broke a hip and couldn't get up) in the making of this blog, and I also apologize for my attitude towards senior citizens. Because, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, they can still serve a purpose. After all, someone needs to come on down and be the next contestant on the Price is Right.

- pookon -

http://www.pookon.com/

email : pookondotcom@gmail.com