Milwaukee Brewers at New York Mets
Friday May 11, 6:10 PM - Cy Suppan v. Jorge Sosa
Saturday May 12, 12:10 PM - Ben Sheets v. Mike Pelfrey
Sunday, May 13, 12:10 PM- Chris Capuano v. Oliver Perez
The pitching matchups appear to be in our favor, but the Mets pitching staff has surprised this season, posting an MLB best 2.90 ERA (due mostly to their top 4 relievers allowing just 3 earned runs in 58 innings this year). Thank goodness the Brewers won't be facing Maine or Glavine, easily the Mets 2 best starters this season. The Mets have the best lineup in the NL - 174 runs scored, .356 team OBP, and Jose "I'm so much faster than every major leaguer it's not even funny" Reyes (.352 /.423 /.559, 19 SBs). If Delgado ever heats up to a shell of his former self, they have 4 legitimate 30+ HR guys in the middle of their lineup with Beltran, Delgado, Wright, and Alou (22 HR in 345 AB last season). Let's hope Cy Suppan and the Crew can somehow escape Shea with 2 of 3.
posted by $lash @ 12:53 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Crystal clear explanation for why Braun won't be called up until June
Good read and probably right, but he called Doug Melvin "Bob Melvin" at the end of the article. I can't believe how much this continues to happen.
I'm not really convinced that the only reason Braun has not been called up is to delay his arbitration clock. For one, his defense is still simply awful. Counsell and Tony the WOP have been awful offensively, but they have been quite good with the glove. With the Brewers winning and defense not killing the team, why take the risk on Braun? Secondly, Braun has missed the last week with either an injured wrist or groin (poor information). Third, there's already a lot of players on the Brewers' bench starved for ABs. Braun would only complicate the matter and eliminate any trade value that Tony the WOP could develop.
I do think that the arbitration is playing some role. It really does figure to save the Brewers upwards of $6MM to delay his arbitration, even more if he truly becomes an elite player. I respectfully disagree with anyone who says Braun is guaranteed to post .900+ OPS seasons, but that's beyond the point.
Also, I wouldn't call June 1 some kind of magical deadline. The deadline could be as late as July 1, depending on other roster moves in baseball. If every team waited to call up their prospects, which more and more are doing, the deadline figures to be bumped back.
Dick Weeks was called up on about June 10th, 2005. That's right on the border of comfort. Weeks may be a "Super 2" player, but I haven't seen anything to indicate whether he is. I guess we'll know if he's up for arbitration this year.
A direct comparison with Miguel Cabrera might be a bit lofty. Then again, it might surprise some people to learn that Mig. Cab. only hit 28 HR in 1428 minor league ABs. Braun had 32 in in his first 650. Of course, Braun and Cabrera are the same age, so Cabrera posted his stats between the ages of 17 and 20, and Braun is getting a crack at it at age 21-23. Is there anybody out there that still doesn't believe Miguel Cabrera is Pujols II?
"Estrada goes after the first pitch . . . as he so often does"
Even Brian Anderson is getting pissed at JtM.
Ok, I hate Kevin Mench. It has been announced. Jenkins just took a five pitch walk, and that douchenozzle just popped the first pitch in playable foul territory.
Could Braun be the next Joey Meyers?
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