Lots Of Tidbits Including Hall Wanting Out

It has been awhile since my last post. Right after we took 2 of 3 from Atlanta I made a post and was pretty happy with that series. Well since then the Brewers swept the Houston Astros and won the first game of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and have a 4 game win streak going. Not to mention 8 out of their last 10 and now have a record above .500 at 30-28. But we can't gain any ground on the freaking Cubs because they just keep winning game after game. It might be time to start focusing on the Wild Card instead of the NL Central pennant.

In that three game series with Houston the Brewers held a very good hitting Astros lineup to 3 runs in the entire series! That is insane, considering the players Houston has on offense: Berkman, Tejada, Lee, Pence, etc.

I was at the beat down game Sunday proudly wearing my Braun t-shirt when he crushed the Astros 10-1. It was Ryan Braun bobblehead day and Braun basically pissed on the "bobblehead day curse" and hit a nice opposite field 2-run HR.

So far the call-up of Russell Branyan from AAA Nashville to platoon with Bill Hall at 3B has worked great! Not only has Branyan been very good defensively at 3B but in true Russell "The Muscle" fashion he is crushing ball while walking a lot and striking out a lot. In 7 games this season Branyan is batting .292, 3 HR, 4 RBI an OBP of .433 SLG .750 which is a OPS of 1.183. It's only 7 games, but those are very nice numbers.

And speaking of the other half of that 3B platoon. It appears Bill Hall is not happy about the situation and his agent has asked for a trade for Bill. Terry Bross who represents Hall said it would be best for his client and the team that he be traded instead of put into this platoon role. You know, I like Bill Hall but if he wants to go I think I'm fine with it. He probably isn't an everyday player like the Brewers thought when he had a good 2005 and a great 2006 season. He was maybe just playing out of his head and that got him the nice contract. He just can't hit RHP and that is not good. So if Hall packaged with prospect(s) that are not named Matt Gamel or Matt LaPorta could bring us a nice #2 or #3 type starting pitcher like for instance: Zack Greinkie, Javier Vasquez, Greg Maddux or Randy Wolf. That by all means trade him. Because I think a platoon of Branyan/Dillon would be fine and any one of those pitchers I mentioned could be huge for our staff.

I'll take 2 out of 3 from Atlanta

I have to say I am very pleased we took 2 of 3 from Atlanta to start this home stand, they came in to Miller Park somewhat hot and have the leagues best hitter Chipper Jones who left Milwaukee with a nice .420 batting average as he continues to "flirt" with .400 and try to become the first player to hit over.400 for a season since 1941 when Ted Williams did it. But anyway, the Brewers won the last game in Washington and the first two of this series and had a nice 3 game win streak with a chance at a sweep and of course what happened in the series finale? They lost. For some reason the Brewers always seem quite capable of winning the first 2 games of a series and then hardly even bother to show up in the final game, as the Braves whooped them today 8-1. I don't know why but it just bugs the shit out of me that this team can't ever seem to convert sweeps when they are right in front of them. Seth McClung who looked great in his first start as a Brewer was the exact opposite today going only 4 2/3 innings giving up 8 hits, 6 earned runs and 6 walks. Ouch! Not very good, I'm willing to give Seth at least two more starts to really see what we do or don't have in him as a starter. But after that, it may be time to see if Jeff Weaver has anything to give. One bright spot from today's game, "3TO" Russell Branyan hit a solo HR his first of the season and in true Branyan fashion also struck out and walked. Well the Astros now come into town for a 3 game series starting tomorrow. Game 1 will feature LHP Manny Parra (2-2, 5.11) for the Brewers against RHP Brandon Backe (4-5, 4.19) for the Astros. I'm gonna hope for a sweep, but I'll take 2 out of 3. I will be at Miller Park for Sunday's game in the right field bleachers, which is Ryan Braun bobblehead day. It's gonna be awesome! Go Brewers!

Russel Branyan Called Up, Tony Gwynn Sent Down

A move that should have taken place at least a week ago if not more finally took place after last nights win over the Nats. The Brewers called up left handed power hitting 3B Russell Branyan and sent down weak hitting, no use on the team 4th OF Tony Gwynn. I hate to be that harsh on Tony but he really brings no value to this team. The things he does bring is speed and defense neither of which were the Brewers using him for. Now what Branyan brings to the table the Brewers really need. A left handed bat with power who could be key late in the game as a pinch hitter and to start some games at 3B against RHP since Bill Hall is atrocious against righties and Branyan mashes them. Now I don't expect Branyan to be some kind of savior but I do think he will help the offense a bit. Granted he will strike out like Hall does, but he can hit the long ball and he brings a good OBP and should take a fair amount of walks. With as bad as Hall as been against RHP if Branyan hits even .250 against RHP it's an upgrade. Branyan is expected to be in the starting lineup this afternoon for the Crew against RHP Tim Redding of Washington. Let 3TO version 2.0 begin!

The Brewers Bench Needs Some "Muscle" As In Russell "The Muscle"

.373 AVG 11 HR 33 RBI's, .716 SLG .451 OBP, 1.167 OPS

Those numbers above would be the season stats thus far for 3B Russell Branyan in AAA Nashville. Now Branyan has been quite the journeymen over the course of his career and I sure wouldn't expect him to put up those kind of numbers in the big leagues since he never really has and I wouldn't want him starting everyday. But what Branyan has always brought to the table is the ability to hit the long ball, slug a high percentage and walk a lot giving him a high on base percentage. He won't ever hit for a high average and he does strikeout a lot. But with the way Bill Hall has hit against righties this season and our black hole known as power from the left side off the bench why not call Branyan up? That way you have a guy to bring off the bench late in the game who can poke one out and can give Hall a day off once in awhile against a tough RHP. If they call Branyan up you send Tony Gwynn down. Bottomline is although Gwynn can give you some speed as a pinch runner and plays a good CF he just can't hit. He is an okay left handed slap hitter but we already have one of those on our bench back up infielder Craig Counsell. Another reason we don't need Gwynn is we have two other backup OF's on the roser Gabe Kapler and Joe Dillon. I hope at some point soon GM Doug Melvin realizes this as well and we get to see Russ in a Brewers uniform once again. Branyan is a huge fan favorite at Brewerfan.net where he is known as 3TO (three true basbeall outcomes: HR, K, BB) and who could forget his 2-HR game on Opening Day at Miller Park in 2005?