Thursday, September 18, 2008

Harden-Bush Rubbermatch Open Thread

We have a day game today. The Brewers send Dave Bush (9-10, 4.24 ERA, 42 BB/103 SO) against the Cubs' Rich Harden (10-2, 2.04 ERA, 50 BB/170 SO). Bushie and the Crew will have their work cut out for them today. I think it's safe to call this, "the biggest start of Dave Bush's Career." Hopefully it will go better for him than it did for Ben Sheets last night, and hopefully the bats will stay alive. No line up yet, but we'll update when it's available.

Update (from Paul): Your Lineup (Now With Handedness!):

CF Mike Cameron - R
2B Ray Durham - S
LF Ryan Braun - R
1B Prince Fielder - L
SS J.J. Hardy - R
RF Corey Hart - R
3B Craig Counsell - L
C Jason Kendall - R
RHP Dave Bush - R

244 comments:

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Anonymous said...

I can't find lineup either, but I've heard it contains neither Hart nor Kendall.

Anonymous said...

Bad info. jsonline shows same lineup as yesterday.

steveegg said...

Does the Crew even have a backup catcher?

E.S.K. said...

no Rivera really pissed me off

steveegg said...

Who Rivera? </sarcasm>

steveegg said...

Oh, this is just beautiful; the only Brewer with more than 3 at-bats against Harden, Ray Durham, has a career batting average under half the Mendoza line.

I know; we hate BA, but mlb.com doesn't put up slugging or on-base percentage.

steveegg said...

Damn; it just gets worse. Somehow missed the 0-5 lifetime Cameron has against Harden.

I hope we get progression to the mean in a hurry.

Anonymous said...

Fear not. Bush is batting .500 against Harden.

Anonymous said...

I don't get Rivera either. How god-awful a catcher can he be to warrant such a sacrifice of offense on an offense-starved team?

PaulNoonan said...

The lineup is now up, with hadnedness.

E.S.K. said...

here ya go steve...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/p-pvb.cgi?n1=harderi01#choice=&bats=&minPA2=0&minPA=0&orderbydir=DESC&orderbydirb=ASC&n1=harderi01&as=pitcher&year_game=career&opp_id=MIL&orderby=PA&orderbyb=Name

now, back to watching my employer take its turn around the proverbial drain

Unknown said...

Hey, drastic subject change.

What are your thoughts on the Brewers offering Sheets a one-year, performance enhanced contract?

In theory, it would benefit the Brewers; they would retain one of their "aces," and Sheets would have a full year to prove he's healthy before hitting FA.

PaulNoonan said...

Nice, 13 pitches, no outs.

DannyNoonan said...

This is an interesting start.

E.S.K. said...

Sheets has no reason to take it, he'll get much better offers

PaulNoonan said...

Not a bad idea, but I suspect that he'll be looking for long term (or at least 3 year) if he can get it at all. I think that in the back of his mind he probably wonders how much longer he'll last.

Still, I think it's worth a shot and a good idea. After all, you just gave Gagne 10 Mill, I'd certainly rather throw that at a short term Sheets deal.

steveegg said...

Thanks, E.

E.S.K. said...

good thing that wind is blowing in

E.S.K. said...

Santo is losing it

PaulNoonan said...

Nice work Dero.

DannyNoonan said...

PRINCE!

Anonymous said...

Gotta be 30 pitches for Harden. Use him up JJ.

PaulNoonan said...

I lovew it. 29 pitches already. Yeah.

steveegg said...

Hey; the Brewers have learned how to take pitches.

Unknown said...

Harden is at 30 with Corey

steveegg said...

Of course, Hart hacks away.

Eric said...

knock it off counsell

PaulNoonan said...

The high fastball swing was dumb, but he did start behind on a called strike (that looked outside on Pitchfx, btw).

Eric said...

you suck

PaulNoonan said...

Stupid Counsell.

E.S.K. said...

f you, you suck

steveegg said...

Regression to the mean; Counsell used to be a bases-loaded clearer.

PaulNoonan said...

Still, Harden only has about 47 pitches left today.

Unknown said...

38 pitches in the first.

There is precedent to my Sheets proposal, didn't Andre Dawson do something similar with the Cubs in the early 80s? I think he gave them a signed, blank contract.

Anonymous said...

Counse just cleared em again. attaboy

Anonymous said...

They ain't awful in the pen. We needed to get more than 1 out of that.

Sheets will still get 4-65. I hope it's from us.

PaulNoonan said...

The middle of the pen is soft. The secret to beating the Cubs is to knock out the starter in the 5th or sooner. Make the use Howry, Cotts, etc.

Eric said...

THat was a spectacular last pitch mr bush

PaulNoonan said...

Some loud Brew Crew fans there today.

DannyNoonan said...

C'mon Kendal, let's get a 11-pitch at-bat

PaulNoonan said...

Only 40 left Rich.

steveegg said...

Damnit; Harden's on now.

Unknown said...

Harden is heating up, he's hit 96 mph, but at 48 pitches

DannyNoonan said...

He's on because he struck out Kendal, Bush and Cameron? I don't think so.

Anonymous said...

Harden's gone 100-plus two of his last three starts. What makes you think he's only good for 85 today?

Eric said...

quiet inning for the brewers

DannyNoonan said...

Shit. Jim Edmonds owns Bush

PaulNoonan said...

Last time out Jimmy hit that Grand Slam off of Bush, correct?

Eric said...

well that sucked in a hurry

DannyNoonan said...

Edmonds has 3 homers in 4 at bats against Bush this year.

steveegg said...

5 Ks in a row; I don't care that 3 of them were Kendall, Bush and Cameron.

steveegg said...

Which makes me question who's actually running the pitching staff. Moving Bush up to face a team he doesn't have a lot of success against so McClung could face a team he doesn't have a lot of success against smacks of Maddux-ball.

PaulNoonan said...

Because the one of his last 3 he did not go over 100 was his last start, on Sept 11th against the Cardinals after 12 days off due to "discomfort in his shoulder" after throwing back to back +100 outings.

Also, I heard Bruce Levine say as much on ESPN1000 today. Note that in his last start, in which he pitched fine (2 ER in 6 innings) he was pulled at 86.

Stupid Ray Durham.

Eric said...

tracker did you score tickets?

Eric said...

wow. a titanic whiff

Anonymous said...

No. Needed a collaborator and the slob in the office next to me says he has "work" to do.

steveegg said...

What a dumbshit. Must be a South Sider (though I repeat myself).

Eric said...

what's the pitch count for bush?

Anonymous said...

27 before Harden ab

steveegg said...

Now, who said that Kendall couldn't cut down stealers?

Eric said...

no replay on the cub channel but he looked safe

PaulNoonan said...

Kendall has improved defensively a ton this year, to his credit. He was atrocious in 07.

Unknown said...

FWIW, the Brewers don't have a hit

Eric said...

when was the last time Hart Wasn't disappointing

steveegg said...

Kendall still sucks golf balls through a garden hose offensively though.

PaulNoonan said...

83 pitches. Too bad he doesn't bat this inning (hopefully).

PaulNoonan said...

Mat Gamel is hurt? D'oh!

steveegg said...

FUCK!

PaulNoonan said...

This will be Rich's last inning.

steveegg said...

At least the Harden pitch count continues to climb.

Anonymous said...

Home run probably ensured he'll finish it or at least try to. Maybe he'll get cooked.

steveegg said...

Does Harden survive the inning?

DannyNoonan said...

Nice Ray.


Is Bush really f-ing slow or something? How did he not score from 2nd on a double?

steveegg said...

We don't need you to be Earl Weaver, Braun. Just get a solid hit to the outfield.

PaulNoonan said...

I and Levine were apparently wrong. This is pretty irresponsible use of Harden for a game that really doesn't matter to the Cubs.

steveegg said...

Held at 2nd to make sure it wasn't caught.

Infield pop-ups are not going to get it done.

PaulNoonan said...

Fucking Bush. He should be in right now.

PaulNoonan said...

Walking's fine, I like walking.

steveegg said...

Missed the line by thismuch.

PaulNoonan said...

So close. Oh man.

steveegg said...

And another 3 runners stranded. FUCK!

PaulNoonan said...

So close. oh man.

DannyNoonan said...

Ugh, we gotta quit leaving the bases loaded.

Anonymous said...

Key-rist. Almost JJ, but sure looked like he swung at ball 4 twice.

PaulNoonan said...

Harden is at a ridiculous 115 pitches, and he's actually been hit pretty hard today but for the wind. Bush has benefitted too, but not as much as Harden.

Maybe he'll get hurt and ruin their chances.

Anonymous said...

I guess Piniella manages for stupid stats too.

Eric said...

hmm... a two out walk means Bush won't give up a home run now. right?

DannyNoonan said...

Who's this hippy?

Eric said...

nice at bat!

now let's see the Kendall trademarked single

steveegg said...

How about an error to avoid the DP?

DannyNoonan said...

Mike Lamb? Sveum is pushing his luck.

steveegg said...

Sveum learned under Yost.

steveegg said...

Hey Cameron!

New ballgame.

E.S.K. said...

hell yeah got home just in time!

Eric said...

Lovely!

Eric said...

C'mon Durham

steveegg said...

Timing is everything.

I was going to suggest Cover It Live, but they're having massive connectivity problems now.

THERE'S THE LEAD!

steveegg said...

And the hit parade continues.

Eric said...

not Earl waver but it will do.

i'm glad we're not seeing bunting

Eric said...

Cover It Live has not failed for me. I like it, very good user experience. Obviously i'm big on that since i bitch about it so much.

steveegg said...

Bases juiced again.

DannyNoonan said...

We can try it out. I'll try to do it for the next game.

DannyNoonan said...

C'Mon JJ!

steveegg said...

It must be an issue on the tips it's pushing to me on the producer window (as if I need them; I've been using it since November).

steveegg said...

Most of the time it works nice. If you have questions, you've got my e-mail (I hope).

One of the things I like about it is it does allow broadcast across multiple blogs.

Eric said...

3-0. good plate discipline

steveegg said...

There's your Webb's 5th run walking in.

DannyNoonan said...

WALK!

E.S.K. said...

Hart has become rather useless

steveegg said...

Good news; we send 10 to the plate. Bad, Corey Hart shows no fucking plate discipline again to strand the bases loaded.

Eric said...

broadcast? That's brilliant

Anonymous said...

AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAH TAKE THAT you asshole dick sucking cum guzzling Cub fans!!! AAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!!

uh, sorry.

Eric said...

Can we move Hart beneath the pitcher spot?

steveegg said...

Soriano is still killing us.

DannyNoonan said...

Coffey again.

Eric said...

and move tracker to the rotted cellar?

steveegg said...

If at first you don't succeed with the double play, try, try again.

Eric said...

Was Bush pulled because of his short rest?

DannyNoonan said...

It obviously would have been nice if Hart had cleared out those bases, but it was a solid inning in which a bunch og guys showed good plate disciplin and we scored runs.

Anonymous said...

Could be. Could also be that Sveum saw the 6th and 7th (pre-Mormol and Wood) as best opportunities to score, and thus required a bat in his spot.

steveegg said...

Tracker got it. Bush was at 66 pitches.

steveegg said...

Uh-oh - Gagne.

DannyNoonan said...

Uh-oh.


C'mon Gagne!

Anonymous said...

4-pitch inning. Give him another one!!!

DannyNoonan said...

Nice inning Gagne. 4 pitches and out.

steveegg said...

At least they left GAGme back home. 6 outs to the win.

DannyNoonan said...

Let's not puch it Tracker

steveegg said...

Pat Gagne on the head, tell him well-done.

Eric said...

i hate first pitch swings.

E.S.K. said...

i hope, some day, we can find a blog where stupid name play nickname insults die miserable deaths.

Anonymous said...

Hart is making an excellent case for making Tony Gwynn Jr a major-league outfielder, at least temporarily.

steveegg said...

Sorry, E.

Eric said...

THat sucked in a hurry

Anonymous said...

Why not Gagne? McClung's likey to need three or four innings of bullpen help tomorrow. Let's not cook em all.

Eric said...

Hart belongs in the lineup. maybe at the eight spot

Eric said...

Bob Brenley needs a haircut

DannyNoonan said...

"i hope, some day, we can find a blog where stupid name play nickname insults die miserable deaths."

Agreed.

Anonymous said...

Ah, the Rules of Yost still apparently apply. Eighth inning guy in save situations must work eighth inning of games in save situations. Right after set your treestand downwind of the buck scrape, and ahead of be a prick to Tom Haudricourt in the press conference.

steveegg said...

That was a nasty changeup.

steveegg said...

It's the Rules of Maddux.

DannyNoonan said...

Maybe it's a smart rule. Maybe the rule now is, "use your worst pitcher [Gagne] sparingly."

Eric said...

Mota them down!

steveegg said...

Big K to get through the 8th.

Eric said...

does that count as name play?

steveegg said...

And Fielder is still red-hot.

Eric said...

over under on Cub pitching?

Anonymous said...

No. ta.

steveegg said...

Why was JJ bunting? Only a boneheaded play made it work.

Hardy erases himself.

Eric said...

that was a criminal send

Anonymous said...

Bob, that was a bad idea w/ nobody out. out by 10 feet

steveegg said...

And a criminal steal attempt.

Eric said...

that too was wretched

steveegg said...

Way to run right out of an inning.

Eric said...

Braun!? you are Fing kidding me

steveegg said...

Welcome to Miller Park South!

Eric said...

tough hit

PaulNoonan said...

I hate Jim Edmonds.

steveegg said...

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

PaulNoonan said...

Also, closers.

Eric said...

Earl Weaver hates the Brewers

E.S.K. said...

worst joke ever

PaulNoonan said...

God Damn It.

Anonymous said...

i hate the brewers

Eric said...

two in the dirt for Torres

PaulNoonan said...

Well, at least it's not over yet. All those squandered runs in the top of the 9th...

DannyNoonan said...

God damn it.

steveegg said...

McClung up in the pen.

DannyNoonan said...

And they still have a tough arm in their pen. And Kendal is hitting for himself.

Ugh.


C'mon Brewers!

Anonymous said...

we don't have a lefthander on the bench?

steveegg said...

The batboy would've been a better choice.

DannyNoonan said...

We already used Nelson and Lamb. I think I heard Gamel was hurt. Or was that Escobar?

steveegg said...

Thought I heard Gamel was hurt.

To the bottom of the inning.

Eric said...

those pitches were Good

Anonymous said...

fuckinay. what a brutal loss this is gonna be.

Eric said...

nice pitch!

steveegg said...

Let's see who comes up on the 11th. It was a double-switch in the 10th for the Cubs.

steveegg said...

And it's Wood. Pinella doesn't want this to go past 11.

Anonymous said...

Fielder-Wood should be interesting

Eric said...

i trust in Ray

PaulNoonan said...

I'm glad to see Marmol gone. Wood can be had.

Eric said...

Bitch!

steveegg said...

If the wind weren't blowing in, it would be interesting.

PaulNoonan said...

Woody might be in love with that Curve with 2 strikes. If you know it's coming you can hit it.

Eric said...

Ray had the right idea. Patience please. Protect when you have two strikes

Eric said...

Fielder!? that wasn't even close

Eric said...

Nor that! DAmn you people

PaulNoonan said...

That was ugly.

Anonymous said...

Well, get a hold here. Then we get Howry?

Eric said...

If there was discipline they wouldn't see a two strike curve

steveegg said...

We can hope.

steveegg said...

I'd almost make McClung the closer the last 10 games.

steveegg said...

Where did that miss? MLB's Gameday had it knee-high down main street.

Eric said...

DP please?

steveegg said...

Edmonds GONE!

Eric said...

Holy Cats!

Eric said...

Shut it you Whiny bitch.

Though i think several brewers have been danger close to ejection

Eric said...

Edmonds can't believe he was ejected.

"What!? Why!?"

Eric said...

THe Cubs channel pitch tracker is for shit. It only shows where the pitch ended in the Cathcer's mitt. Doesn't show where it went through the zone.

steveegg said...

Couldn't quite turn the double play, but Fielder got the lead out.

Eric said...

Busted 200 comments! Yeah Baby. We're going to win now.

And we get the lead runner!

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