Brew Crew '06

[lyon810]

After years playing mvp 04 with the Angels (my team), I promptly upgraded to mvp '05, now looking for a challenge. Thanx to Totte's great rosters, i began with the most updated Brewers squad. I have played a few games, 16 to be exact, and its been a solid start I would say. Ive really gotten into this whole dynasty posting thing and Id like to take part and pick up where my season is at now. So to bring you all up to date on where the 2006 Brewers are at, here's a quick summary of the season thus far.

- Playing in All-Star mode

- rosters current as of 9/6/2006

- team record 11-5

- biggest win 6-2 over the Cradinals

- biggest lost 4-0 to the Cubs (they swept the series)

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My team

5 man Rotation

RHP Ben Sheets 1-0 3.71 ERA 26.2 IP

*** Sheets has had a slow start to the '06 season. The numbers look much better than they really are. He's been hit all over the field and just when it looked as if he had finally got it together, Sheets gives up a grand slam to Steve Finley of the Giants in the sixth, which also chased him from the game. He got a no decision. On the upside, his curveball seems to be starting to click.

LHP Doug Davis 2-0 2.70 ERA 20 IP

*** Davis has been the anchor in the rotation so far into the season, coming out with solid, quality starts every time he takes the rubber.

LHP Chris Capuano 2-1 1.31 ERA 20.2 IP

*** His K's are way down thus far, but look at the numbers, they speak for themselves. Despite being solid, has also been a tad inconsistent.

RHP Dave Bush 2-0 0.78 ERA 23.0 IP

*** The kid is making great strides and is pitching like a 1 or 2 starter. Has been picking his spots very well but K's could be higher, but has more than made up for with crafty pitching.

RHP Tomo Ohka 2-1 2.21 ERA 19.2 IP

*** Solid, has performed as expected, nothing spectacular. Great 5th spot starter.

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The Bullpen

Relievers---

Jose Capellan

Matt Wise

Brian Shouse

Danny Kolb

set up man--- Derrick Turnbow

closer--- Francisco Cordero

summary: Kolb and Turnbow have battled for the set up role, with neither one making a real case to win the job, but Turnbow has outperformed Kolb. Cordero is the uncontested closer what with the two set up men barely able to perform their own duties. Of the relievers, Matt Wise (6.0 IP 1.50 ERA 5 K's) has been perfect, well almost. But is by far the stand out of the pen so far.

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Starting Line-Up

CF Brady Clark .283 5rbi

SS Bill Hall .228 1 HR 5 rbi

3B Corey Koskie .340 2 HR 6 rbi

LF Geoff Jenkins .228 2 HR 6 rbi

1B Prince Fielder .259 4 HR 9 rbi

RF Gabe Gross .302 3 HR 8 rbi

C Damien Miller .317 2 HR 3 rbi

2B Rickie Weeks .207 1 rbi

Bench

INF JJ Hardy .286

C Mike Rivera .333 2 rbi

3B David Bell .421 3 HR 5 rbi

INF Tony Graffanino .259 2 rbi

OF Laynce Nix .188

RF Kevin Mench .192

summary: The starting line-up has been great so far. With a few uncertainties. Brady Clark has been consistent with timely hitting but lacks in the clutch. Bill Hall has been solid despite low numbers. Fielding has been suspect. Koskie has emerged as the teams most consistent hitter, but doesnt start against lefties (David Bell). Jenkins has been ok, avg could be higher. Prince has been awful, the numbers are VERY deceiving, but the power is incredible. the avg could use a slight boost. Gabe Gross has been the shock so far, but still lacks consistency. Damien Miller started the year without a hit until the fifth game of the season, but has been seeing the ball very well since. Weeks has been f*ucking terrible. His numbers are weak, so has fielding, Hardy and Graffanino are looking to take his job. David Bell has been great when called upon, but Koskie's great play has prevented him from breaking into the starting nine, except vs lefties, where he has been an abolsute revelation. He has taken them to places in the park I didnt even know existed. And of course, his incredible his 6th inning pinch hit HR off Taylor Buchholz which was crushed out of Minute Maid Park 483 ft the left (if youve seen the park, you know how short a distance it is to left, it actually bounced off a building on the other side of the street). Catcher Mike Rivera has been dependable when called upon. The trade earlier this year with Brewers & Rangers is looking pretty bad for the us right now. Mench and Nix have terrible, with Mench now on the bench for a little over a week with a dislocated finger. Both could be traded for some young outfield prospects. They're useless on this team.

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Transactions

Trade

AA SP Vince Perkins to Toronto for SP Casey Janssen

why I did this?

Living in Canada, I see a lot of Jays games, and Ive seen him pitch, and I like what I see, plus he was on the block so why not? Unless any of you say otherwise.

* Sent 3B Jeff Cirillo to AAA and recalled OF laynce Nix

[Maestro23]

Good stuff man. Keep it coming.

[D-Unit]

Brewers are quite an interesting team. Looking forward to this.

[lyon810]

So after having my way with both the Pirates and Cardinals (surprisingly), I was man handled by Juan Pierre and the Cubs, I currently trail them by 1.5 in the division, but its a little early to the be looking at standings, lol.

Where I'm at now...

Three game series with the Giants in San Fran. Like I mentioned earlier, a Steve Finley grand slam off Ben Sheets looked to have guaranteed a win for the Giants, but once Jason Schmidt was pulled in the 7th (thank God, he had 11 K's, nastiest circle change I've ever seen), The Brewers rallied to tie it up, only to have Jose Capellan blow it in the 9th.

So this is the match-up for the second game of the series...

Milwaukee Brewers (11-5) San Francisco Giants (10-6)

Doug Davis (2-0 2.70 ERA) vs Matt Morris (2-1 2.25 ERA)

[lyon810]

2-0 Giants over Brewers

The Brewers dropped to 11-6 on the season after yet another great pitching performance by the Giants staff. The 1 - 2 starters have combined for 17 K's so far in the series. The bats havent really factored much vs the starters, but the Brewers did exploit the weaknesses in the San Fran bullpen. Stellar play by Omar Vizquel throughout the series, both defensively and offensively was pretty much the difference. The series was suppose to be highlighted by two quality pitching match-ups, unfortunately it all went the Giants' way, with both Brewers starters being roughed up. Sheets giving up the runs, while Doug Davis was hit around quite nicely, and when you look at it, the only runs scored against were due to two back to back bad pitches which both left the yard (Bonds & Alou).

Game Highlights

4th inning: Barry Bonds & Moises Alou take starter Doug Davis deep on back to back pitches.

5th inning: Geoff Jenkins makes a great catch deep in the left field corner saving at least an RBI triple.

6th inning: Giants manager Felipe Alou is tossed after arguing a questionable play at first after Omar Vizquel appeared to be safe on a poor throw by second baseman JJ Hardy. Vizquel was really safe.

7th inning: Brewers manager Ned Yost ejected after arguing a call at first on which Bill Hall placed a great bunt down the third base line which was well thrown by Pedro Feliz. First basemen Lance Niekro appeared to be off the base.

9th inning: Giants starter Matt Morris is yanked after Koskie hit safely then walked Jenkins. Both runners would be stranded on 2nd and third.

Pitching Line

WP: Matt Morris (3-1) --- 8.1 IP 5H 6K's 3BB 1.59 ERA

S: Armando Benitez (2)

LP: Doug Davis (2-1) --- 7 IP 8H 2R 2ER 2K's 2HR 2.67 ERA

Player of the Game

*** SF SP Matt Morris (3-1) 1.59 ERA

Brewer of the game

*** LF Geoff Jenkins 2-3 1 BB

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Third and final game of the series

Pitching match-up:

LHP Chris Capuano (2-1) 1.31 ERA

vs

LHP Noah Lowry (1-1) 3.98 ERA

[lyon810]

3-2 Giants over Brewers (Giants take all 3 games of the series)

Another very poor performance in San Fran by the Brew Crew. The pitching and the bats did not show up, again. Capuano despite only giving up 1 earned run, was yanked in the 4th, he just couldnt get a ball into the catcher's mit, everything that came across was well struck. The Brewers did not record a hit between Bill Hall's two run homerun in the third and a Geoff Jenkins single in the ninth with one out. Despite getting on base via walks, left handed hitting specialists David Bell & Tony Graffanino went a combined 0-7.The three game weekend series was highlighted by dominating pitching by the Giants' starters. The Brewers managed a total of 14 hits in the rain drenched series which was overshadowed by dark skies. Things can only get better from here for the Brewers who drop to 11-7. A very dissapointing display by the top three of the picthing staff.

Game Highlights

1st inning: Pedro Feliz brings in Bonds & Alou with a 2 RBI triple.

3rd inning: After walking Brady Clark, Noah Lowry is taken yard by shortstop Bill Hall for a 2 run HR.

3rd inning: Omar Vizquel hits a solo shot off Chris Capuano.

7th inning: Brady Clark robs Ray Durham of a sure HR in center field.

9th inning: Geoff Jenkins hits a single up the middle off closer Armando Benitez with one out. The single was the first hit in 5.1 innings for the Brewers.

Pitching Line

WP: Noah Lowry (2-1) 6 IP 2H 2ER 2BB 3K's 1HR 3.76 ERA

S: Armando Benitez (3)

LP: Chris Capuano (2-2) 4 IP 8H 3R 1ER 2K's 1HR 1.46 ERA

Player of The Game

***Pedro Feliz 2-4 1 3B 2 RBI

Brewers of the game

***Brady Clark 1-3 1 SB 1 R 1 BB

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Its off to St. Louis for a 3 game series. We swept the Cards last time at home, but itll b interesting to see how my team react after being seriously outplayed vs the Giants.

Milwaukee Brewers (11-7) 3 straight loses

vs

St. Louis Cardinals (5-12) 1 straight loss

Game 1 Picthing Match-Up

RHP Dave Bush (2-0) 0.78 ERA

vs

RHP Jason Marquis (0-2) 2.89 ERA

********************

-Called up OF Corey Hart from AAA, sent down OF Laynce Nix to AAA

notables for the Brewers:

- Kevin Mench is set to come back in 2 days

[lyon810]

7-1 Brewers over Cardinals

The Brewers bounced back in great form after an emotional thumping to the hands of the Giants by opening up their series with the Cards with a smooth 7-1 victory in St. Louis. A great pitching performance by young gun Dave Bush (3-0 0.78 ERA) gave the pitching staff a much, much needed morale boost. Its likely manager Ned Yost let Bush pitch the nine innings rather than bring in closer Francisco Cordero in the final frame in order to to re-install confidence in his starters. Another low strikeout total by Bush was easily overlooked as he picked spots well and blended it with crafty pitching and timely double play balls (3 of them). The bats also came to life as the Brewers hit three homers (Jenkins, Gross, Miller) and got plenty of runners on first and second. Hitters also came up big with runners in scoring position. Basically, everything that lacked in the three games vs the Giants was ressurected in game one vs the Cards.

Game Highlights

1st inning: Brady Clark doubles to lead off the game, would later be driven home on a Geoff Jenkins single.

4th inning: Geoff Jenkins takes Jason Marquis deep to left for a solo HR.

7th inning: Gabe Gross crushes a two run HR.

7th inning: Aaron Miles spoils the shutout for Dave Bush with a solo shot barely leaving the yard.

9th inning: After a double by Prince Fielder, PR Corey Hart (in for Fielder) scores on a Tony Graffanino single.

9th inning: Catcher Damien Miller cashes in Tony Graffanino as well as himself with a two run HR to left.

9th inning: Brewers starter Dave Bush gets his third double play ball of the night to end the game and get the first complete game by a Brewers pitcher this season.

Pitching Line

WP: Dave Bush (3-0) CG 9H 1ER 2K's 1HR 0.84 ERA

LP: Jason Marquis (0-3) 8IP 8H 4ER 1K 2HR 3.38 ERA

Player of the Game

***Dave Bush (3-0) 0.84 ERA

Brewer of the Game (cant be same as Player of...)

***Geoff Jenkins 2-4 HR 2RBI

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Pitching Match-Up for Game 2

Milwaukee Brewers (12-7)

vs

St. Louis Cardinals (5-13)

RHP Tomo Ohka (2-1) 2.29 ERA

vs

RHP Jeff Weaver (0-3) 1.93 ERA

[lyon810]

6-4 loss to the Cardinals

After a great display of arm by Dave Bush a night earlier, Tomo Ohka kept what has become the recent trend this week for the Brewers pitching staff. He had it worse than Sheets, Davis & Capuano. Giving up long balls to the weaker part of the Cardinals order. In the fourth, with the bases juiced and none out, all the Crew could manage was a Gabe Gross sac fly to left which scored Geoff Jenkins. With runners in scoring position, batters looked too anxious, as if they were trying to do something over the top and it cost them, stranding a total of 5 hitters in scoring position. Tomo Ohka faired no better. Loading them up twice with what looked like lazy, sloppy pitching. Almost got the impression watching him he just wanted to get this start over with as soon as possible. The Brewers never really held a lead, except after a Jenkins two run shot, but in the bottom of the inning Juan Encarnacion drove in a pair with the bases loaded. The inning would have been over if it werent for yet another rountine play at first which say Prince Fielder drop the ball out of his glove. With the Crew threatening once again, Corey Koskie was picked off at first which killed momentum and the Brewers went down straight afterwards. A couple more solo homeruns by Belliard, Fielder, and Encarnacion left the game at 6-4. With Milwaukee once again having a chance to tie it up at least, stranded two more runners in the final frame on a weak fly out by Bill Hall. Brewers have now lost 4 of the last 5 and in convincing fashion. Ben Sheets gets the start and tries to redeem himself after his worst outing so far. Other notes, recent AAA call-up OF Corey Hart is expected to start for Gabe Gross in the final game of the series. Also, Geoff Jenkins will return on a permanent basis to his natural position in right field, a move hoping to maybe boost his batting avg by making him more comfortable.

Game Highlights

1st inning: Jim Edmonds drives in Albert Pujols with an RBI single.

3rd inning: Tomo Ohka narrowly squeaks out of a bases loaded jam.

4th inning: With bases loaded, all the Brewers can manage is a Gabe Gross sac fly which scored Geoff Jenkins.

4th inning: Solo homerun by catcher Yadier Molina.

5th inning: 2 run HR by Geoff Jenkins.

5th inning: Prince Fielder drops a very routine throw to first to load the bases.

5th inning: Juan Encarnacion drives in 2 runs with an RBI single up the middle.

6th inning: Corey Koskie is picked off at fist base.

6th inning: Ronnie Belliard goes deep for a solo homerun.

8th inning: Solo HR by Prince Fielder.

8th inning: Juan Encarnacion solo HR.

9th inning: Brewers strand two more runners in the final frame.

Pitching Line

WP: Jeff Weaver (1-3) 6 IP 8H 3ER 3K's 2BB HR 2.46 ERA

LP: Tomo Ohka (2-2) 6 IP 10H 5R 4ER K 2HR 3.16 ERA

S: Jason Isringhausen (2)

Player of the Game

***Juan Encarnacion 2-4 HR 3 RBI

Brewer of the Game

*** Geoff Jenkins 2-4 HR R 2 RBI

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Pitching match-up for third and final game of series

RHP Ben Sheets (1-0) 3.71 ERA

vs

RHP Jeff Suppan (0-2) 7.64 ERA

Game Notes:

- OF Corey Hart will start for Gabe Gross in left for the final game of series

- OF Geoff Jenkins moves back to RF from LF

[lyon810]

3-2 Brewers win (BrewCrew take the series 2-1 over the Cards)

A decent outing by ace Ben Sheets was all the Brewers needed. Both starters got the nasty stuff out of the way in the first four innings and it was cruise control till the 7th. For the second straight night, the Brewers had the bases loaded with none out, only to get nothing more than an RBI sac fly. Pujols singled in an RBI in the second. A mammoth 2 run shot by Prince Fielder was all the offense the Brewers needed. Sheets gave up a solo shot to Preston Wilson. But was smooth sailing from there on. Sheets finished the night with a microscopic 2 K's, but yet he scattered 8 hits through 7, which is still to much considering he's the club ace. Brewers reached safely 15 times, tying their season high, combined with 3 walks (Two by Brady Clark). Outfielder Corey Hart made an impressive 2006 debut by going 2-4 and covering a lot of ground out in left.

Game Highlights

2nd inning: JJ Hardy's sac fly is all the Brewers could get from having the bases loaded with none out.

3rd inning: Albert Pujols RBI single

4th inning: 2 run HR by Prince Fielder

4th inning: Preston Wilson hits a solo HR

Pitching Line

WP: Ben Sheets (2-0) 7 IP 8H 2ER 2K's HR 3.48 ERA

LP: Jeff Suppan (0-3) 7 IP 11H 3ER 2K's 2BB HR 6.57 ERA

S: Francisco Cordero (4) 1 K

Player of the Game

***Prince Fielder 3-4 R HR 2RBI

Brewer of the Game

***Corey Koskie 3-5 2R

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The Brewers leave St. Louis with 2 wins and lead the season series 5-1. Now back home to play the Reds ( 13-8 ). Its a log jam atop the Central but its still way too early to care. The Reds are in the same boat as the Crew, with a little more certainty in their line-up. The Brewers are expected to use Corey Hart in every game this series. With the day off between series, Hart was used at second in practice and looks promising. His bat seems to have clicked well since being called up, we'll see how he fairs at second vs the Reds.

Pitching match-up for Game 1 of series

Milwaukee Brewers ( 13-8 ) streak: 1W

vs

Cincinatti Reds ( 13-8 ) streak: 2W

LHP Doug Davis (2-1) 2.67 ERA

vs

RHP Bronson Arroyo (3-1) 5.01 ERA

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Team Notes

Meanwhile, the second base position is still very much up in the air. Last week it looked as if Tony Graffanino was set to hold on full time. But his bat has been very quiet, and his fielding suspect. JJ Hardy isnt showing any definite signs of earning the spot, and Rickie Weeks' poor bat and awful fielding leave him last in the hunt. If all three fall through, dont rule out OF Corey Hart taking a stab at second, he has been used as a utility man before in the minors.

[seiboob_13]

I am thrilled to see someone with such a passion for the Brewers. Only a man with a great understanding of the game of baseball could take on a team like this. The Brewers do have alot of depth up the middle and i like your style of making each guy earn their spot. I think Corey Heart is a great asset to your team and you should really consider trying to get him in the lineup as much as possible.

If i could make a suggestion i think that having post game quotes of what the players the thought about their preformance would add alot of realism to the players outside life in the game.

here is an example of what i mean: "I didn't try to do to much at the plate. i just tried to put the ball in play and make things happen. thats all you can ask for when your not producing. Tonight the ball found some holes and this could be what i needed to get back on track" Prince Fielder after going 3-4 to end a 0-15 slump.

Keep it going!!!