re: Offense sputters as skid climbs to four

Jim Breen — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:32:05 GMT

Excellent point. I thought Kendall played terrible defense and called an average-at-best game.

He did hit the ball that wasn't a fly out to the right fielder though! I'll take that as a small victory.

re: Offense sputters as skid climbs to four

akittell — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:32:53 GMT

Someone explain to me why Jason Kendall gets a free pass for an awful game, but Rickie has one bad day in the month of July and his head is on a platter.

re: Offense sputters as skid climbs to four

Adam Hatlak — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:30:50 GMT

I'm not trying to jump to conclusions too early in the season, but this series has the ability to be quite the tell of the future. This has been called the first series of the regular season to have a "playoff atmosphere." The two teams have played as complete opposites.

The Cubs have come into Milwaukee and played their game. They have taken their walks, waited back on pitches, and got timely hits. Their pitching has gotten key outs, and did their homework on the Brewers hitters. More importantly the Cubs have kept their composure and done what it takes to win.

On the other side, the Brewers have looked like little children on a big stage. Braun and Hart as you said are swinging at everything. The starting pitching has had to work harder than they have had to all season, and continually give up big innings. The Brewers have also continually made minor errors that have snowballed into bigger ones.

At the end of the day, the only thing that this series has proven is that the Brewers may just not be ready. I don't doubt that the Brewers can make the playoffs especially with the additions of Sabathia and Durham, but it feels like a deep post season run seems unlikely. As much as it pains me to say it, it might be in the Cubs future.