Braves vs. Brewers Series Preview - Atlanta Buffets Prepare As Prince Fielder Arrives
by Scott Coleman on May 2, 2011 12:30 PM EDT
in Series Previews & Recaps
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The Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves will kick off a 4-game series in Hotlanta this week. This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams and the Brewers took three out of four games in Milwaukee.
The Brewers are 13-14 and have lost six of their last ten games. They've been pretty streaky this season, and they're coming off a series in Houston where they scored seven runs in three games. Let's take a look at their team:
Offense:
After being one of the best offensive clubs in baseball last season, the Brewers are solid at the plate once again in 2011. They're led by superstar Ryan Braun (.367/.457/.724). He's really good. He's also recently signed on with Milwaukee to play for the Brewers through the year 2077 with an option for '78. Prince Fielder is Braun's protection in the lineup and he's having a fine year (.333/.421/.626). Leadoff man Rickie Weeks is on pace to have another big year (.304/.379/.549). Those three are the main cogs in Milwaukee's lineup.
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy (.333/.400/.444) has been a pleasant surprise and Casey McGehee (.278/.336/.402) has been hitting better in recent weeks. Center Fielder Carlos Gomez (.240/.278/.340) has struggled this year and shortstop Yunieski Betancourt (.261/.297/.359) isn't very good. Nyjer Moygan has also been impressive in limited playing time.
More after the jump...
Pitching Matchups:
Monday, 7:10EST:
Tuesday, 7:10EST:
Wednesday, 7:10EST:
Thursday, 7:10EST:
Bullpen:
The Brewers bullpen is not very good. They're in the bottom-5 in the National League in ERA, FIP, and xFIP as a group and they've battled injuries throughout the year. Closer John Axford has struggled with command at times and has blown a few saves this year. Setup man Kameron Loe has been their best pitcher, and he'll do most of the pitching the 8th inning whenever the Brewers have a lead. Sean Green, Sergio Mitre, Brandon Kintzler, and LaTroy Hawkins are the Brew Crew's right-handed options out of the 'pen and lefty Zach Braddock has been tough this season.
Something To Look For:
Over the last two seasons, the Braves and Brewers have not enjoyed playing each other. A heated altercation between Tommy Hanson and Ryan Braun came up last year after he hit Braun with a pitch and Prince Fielder performed an unnecessarily hard slide into 2nd base after being hit by Jonny Venters. The Brewers ran into Brian McCann multiple times during the first series of the year and even went out of their way to attempt to make contact with our talented catcher. I'm guessing we'll see at least one warning at one point or another during this series.
Final Thoughts:
The Brewers, similar to the Braves, are a talented team who have underachieved in April. They will receive a big boost from Zach Greinke and they can score runs in a hurry. If you're able to slow down the middle of their order, you have a strong chance to win. That is not easy to do, though, and each of the games look to be good ones.
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I hope...
we see some sort of payback for their ridiculous slides in the first series.
Also, Marco Estrada’s picture above is scary.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
I hope…
we see some sort of payback for their ridiculous slides in the first series.
So, who ya think is the “enforcer” on the team? ;-)
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
That plan has Mather written all over it!
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 1:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Two questions...
1) Is Zach Grienke on a pitch limit?
2) How many flying elbows from Brewers baserunners before “steps are taken”?
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 12:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
"steps"
better be a hanson fastball to the back of fielder
by kbertling353 on May 2, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Fielder?
That’s a waste. Braun will feel it more.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Braun?
Thats a waste, Morgan or Gomez deserve it more.
People are like at least I'm not that guy on stage. That guy on stage is like at least I'm not that guy in the looney bin. The guy in the looney bin are like at least I'm an orange
So when one team plays clean baseball
Hanson should go back to throwing at guys. How about Venters? He seems to accidentally lose complete control and miss his target reapeatedly by several feet. Coincidentally, it happens when a player who is good and hits HRs is up.
Spikes up at 2nd base...
generally gets you drilled.
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 3:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hey, I've got a great idea
let’s all pretend like Venters hit Fielder last year on purpose… For no raisin!
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
Those are my thoughts...
Considering the pitchers faced, and road games played, in April, I’m ready to move on.
Can we sign Troy Glaus to a 30-day contract?
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Loved the headline
Prince Fielder is fat jokes don’t get old, IMO.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Hide yo ribz! Hide you chips! Prince eatin’ eeeeevrything!
If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02
by king of games on May 2, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
except, you know....
he doesn’t eat ribs. He’s a vegetarian. yep. truth.
“Fielder made this choice after reading Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, given to him by his wife Chanel.”
I can’t imagine what he eats. If he doesn’t eat meat, what the hell is he eating to make him so large? Dude has a chest larger than most women in the Milwaukee area.
"This is gonna feel so good getting this thing off my chest. That's what she said."
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on May 2, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Krispy Kreme installed a hot sign in Prince's house
so he would always know when it was time to feed
What do you mean he don't eat no meat?
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 1:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Just give him lamb, then?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 2, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay
So I have to ask my TC brethren: Fish – meat or not?
I say it is meat. It has eyes, it bleeds when I cut into it, and they’re great sources of protein – no different than cows, pigs, and chickens. I’ve gone into verbal armageddon with supposed vegans who eat fish, that they’re not real vegans, but I stand firm, for the aforementioned reasons.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Fish is meat, IMO. However, dictionary.com defines ‘meat’ as coming specifically from an animal that is not fish or bird.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 2, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Vegans do not eat any animal or animal product (ie, milk or eggs) PERIOD.
They are lazy, or unable to cook anything tasty, if they hold that view.
In my family for some reason we ate fish on Good Friday because we weren’t supposed to eat meat…which always seemed strange to me.
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 3:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Meat.
Here’s a picture of swordfish:
Pork:
Beef:
They look very similar. Vegetarians or vegans who eat fish are cheaters. Period. If not, then I, too, am a vegetarian, except for when I eat meat.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
You know…3 PM is a bad time to make everyone hungry with pictures of delectably grilled animal flesh, non-Vegan fare…
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
BREAKING NEWS: RYAN BRAUN SAYS BRAVES PREPARE BUFFETS FOR FIELDER'S ARRIVAL
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
by TheLetter2 on May 2, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I can't believe I rec'd the whole thing
Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com
Please let our BP find their "mojo" again starting this series.
And … I hope the early inning gift of runs for the opponent has come to a halt.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Shouldn’t it be the opposite of that? They’ve been recovering economically since Melky departed, but will now go into a small recession with the arrival of Prince Fielder.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 2, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Prince Fielder's fan section...
should be called the “Golden Corral”
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 3:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Prince Fielder's fan section...
should be called the “Golden Corral”
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 3:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Guys, I’m worried about Hudson. He looks so concerned in that photo.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
Concern for Buster Posey being out so much.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 2, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Haunt me how? Will I be kept awake at night by the wailing sounds of, “Posey’s Better” and the rattling of chains made from World Series rings? Wait….that would actually….damn’t. I made myself sad now. :(
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 2, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
He should be concerned
He was like 0-4 with the beard, and started pitching awesome again once he shaved it off.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
He looks better without it, anyway. Some guys just can’t pull it off.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
Agreed.
I think Tommy Hanson looks better without his beard, too.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 2, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as he keeps growing his hair
I hope I’m not the only one who notices that when Tommy has the mullet going, he’s awesome. Get it back to the Sammy Hagar length he had in AA, and he’ll throw another no-hitter, mark my words.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
It's aerodynamics
The wind resistance on his baby smooth face and head while delivering towards the plate were all sorts of jacked up by all that stubble. It’s totally true.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Soul patch=win
Trust me, I’m an expert
"Hard work beats talent, when talent doesnt work hard"
by Hudson's Soul Patch on May 2, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
He's pondering
whether the definition of meat includes fish.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Lineup:
Prado
Heyward
Chipper
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth
Ross
Jurrjens
"This is gonna feel so good getting this thing off my chest. That's what she said."
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on May 2, 2011 4:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If Ross is hitting against a RH starter anyway…why bat him 8th??? Why would the righty/lefty thing matter at that point?
by TBuzz on May 2, 2011 5:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Also...
For at least one more year, your Kings are staying put!
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Also
Out of curiosity, how did you become a fan sport teams from all corners of the U.S. (except, understandably, the Northeast)?
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Braves because of my dad. Mom wasn’t a baseball fan.
Colts because of my mom. Dad is a cowboys fan but that wasn’t happening.
Kings because of Mike Bibby and his Arizona basketball connection.
Mizzou because I grew up there.
I know it’s a little weird.
"This is gonna feel so good getting this thing off my chest. That's what she said."
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on May 2, 2011 6:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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