Decisions, Decisions…

Spring training ended more than two weeks ago for the Brewers, but that doesn’t mean the roster is set in stone.  With Yovanni Gallardo set to make his third and final rehab start for AAA Nashville tonight, someone on the Brewers pitching staff is going to draw the short straw.  Manager Ned Yost told me yesterday that Gallardo is assured a spot in the rotation when he returns to the team, but he is still deciding where he’ll fit in.  If you look at just the numbers, Dave Bush is the obvious candidate for the chopping block.  Bush is 0-2 on the young season with an 8.44 ERA, but that is not all Yost and his coaches will consider.  Bush is a veteran guy with a hearty work ethic that Yost loves.  

Also something to consider, the Brewers don’t have to make a decision right away.  With Gallardo expected to throw 100 pitches tonight, he won’t be available until at least Saturday.  That gives the Brewers a few days to see how Carlos Villanueva and Manny Parra fare this week in St. Louis.  Both young guys struggled a bit their second time out on the mound and both still have options for AAA.

Another possible scenario, send Bush to the bullpen and option Seth McClung to Nashville.  The only problem there, McClung would have to clear waivers and the Crew would risk losing him.  I will say this, the decision will not be easy, but it’s nice to know the team has the kind of depth to make them.  Better to have too many arms, than not enough.

On the lighter side of things, the entire team seems to be having a great time early in the season.  After a long series (and final game) in New York, we landed in St. Louis on Sunday night and the young group of guys were full of energy.  While in the elevator, FSN color analyst Bill Schroeder remarked that this is one of the best set of guys he’s been around.  I couldn’t agree more.  I’ve been around pro athletes for the better part of the last eight years, and this team is exceptional.  Unlike most clubhouses, there is no natural divide or cliques.  Just this morning I walked into the lobby to find Jason Kendall, Ryan Braun, and Mike Rivera hanging out, but I’ve also seen Braun hanging with Bill Hall, JJ Hardy, and Corey Hart.  In New York it was Rivera, Manny, and Carlos.  I’m sure you get my point.  This team gets along and loves playing together.  I’m still holding strong that will be the intangible that helps get the Brewers over the play-off hump.  (Obviously hitting, pitching, and defense are far more important, but I’m banking on those things naturally coming through.)

My other travel observation, JJ Hardy and Corey Hart remind me of two best friends at prep school.  When flying on the charter, all team members and media are required to wear suits.  JJ and Corey are always rocking the navy blazer with pants, and both guys carry backpacks instead of brief cases.  The ‘School Ties’ look cracks me up, and I love the fact they carry North Face and not Louis Vuitton.

Time now to enjoy an afternoon nap on a rare day off.  I was hoping to take part in a fun activity, but downtown St. Louis is sorely lacking in the entertainment department.  I could play craps on the river boat casinos, but something tells me that’s not the best idea after shopping up a storm in the Big Apple!

Until next time…

Tren

Starting Off on the Right Foot

The Brewers opener at Wrigley Field wasn’t always pretty, but the result helped block out the rain, the blown save, and the extra innings.  It was a tough day for any Brewers fan or player.  The guys spent most of the morning cooped up in the visiting club house at Wrigley Field which resembles a studio apartment in SoHo; small, dank, old, and uncomfortable.  If you were a fan (or media…) you spent the entire morning trying to find a small, dank, old, and uncomfortable spot to hide from the downpours.  Say what you want about the history and tradition of Wrigley Field, but the place needs more than the occasional botox injection, it needs an entire face lift! Once the game finally got going, it quickly turned into a pitchers dual.  Ben Sheets and Carlos Zambrano matched one another pitch for pitch–even through a 45 minute rain delay.  It was another stellar opening day performance by Sheets who somehow takes below average springs and turns them into Cy Young like first outings.  Despite a muddy pitching mound that forced Sheets to continually try and clear his cleats, the righty had his best stuff going.  I was sitting in the camera well on the first base side (next to the Crew’s dugout) and Sheet’s fastball had some serious pop when it hit Jason Kendall’s glove.  (Not sure about the movement on his pitches, that is tough to judge from my vantage point.  However, Bill Schroeder repeatedly said during the game that both Sheet’s curve and fastball looked tremendous.) I know it took the offense a while to get it going at the plate, but we should all keep in mind that Zambrano is one of the best in the league, and the Cubs potent lineup couldn’t hit our guy either.  I will say this, even when guys weren’t getting the big hits, the confidence never seemed to waver.  On almost every trip back to the dugout following a strike out, grounder, or fly ball, there was a player or coach waiting to go over adjustments.   The most important thing, when the lineup had the opportunity to take advantage of a guy, they did.  Kerry Wood certainly isn’t the pitcher he was when he struck out 20, but what matters is the Brewers hit him hard and drove him from the game.  The previous eight innings of futility at the plate never affected the young team who stayed cool under pressure. The bullpen was both phenomenal and disappointing.  Salomon Torres, Guillermo Mota, and David Riske each had productive innings, with Eric Gagne struggling and blowing the save in the bottom of the ninth.  The positive on Gagne, he didn’t completely fold on the mound and didn’t allow another run after Fukedome which allowed the Crew to stay in the game.  I realize that giving up three runs in a shut out is frustrating, but according to both Jason Kendall and bullpen coach Bill Castro Gagne was having some serious trouble with his footing on the mound.   Here is one thing I loved seeing yesterday.  (Besides the dejected Cubs fans.)  Prince Fielder’s reaction to not getting an out at first in the crucial bottom of the ninth.  (Forgive me for not remembering all the details.  It was pouring rain and I couldn’t take notes!)  Gagne didn’t make it to the bag in time to cover, and Fielder went for the tag of the player instead of the tag on the bag.  Although you don’t like the fact a defensive mistake was made, I love that Prince would not accept his gaffe.  Fielder was visibly upset with himself, kicking dirt and mumbling what I assume were self-hating obscenities under his breath.  Mistakes are human, but the reason Prince is such a good player, is because he truly doesn’t believe he should make one.  You can bet that Fielder is always giving 100%, and that is not only impressive but encouraging.  If he expects it from himself, you know he holds his teammates to the same standard. Alright, so it wasn’t a perfect opening day with warm sunshine and a light breeze from the South, but at least the Brewers beat the Cubs.  I’m trying to keep an even keel about the entire thing, because there are still 161 games to go.  A good start is important, but as Brewers fans quickly learned last season, it does not guarantee you work in October.