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.
