Adding "Chorizo" to the nightly Miller Park sausage race is fine and dandy, but does anybody know if he’s available to pitch in late-inning situations?
There have been many factors that have led to the Brewers’ disappointing and often frustrating performance, but one of the bigger factors has to be the almost complete absence of relief pitching.
It seems like ages ago that the Brewers jumped out to a 5-0 start to the season, and had people around here thinking about baseball in autumn. While the offense at the time was far from mid-season form, the pitching kept this team above water.
Starters were working into the later innings, and the bullpen guys were handling their roles. But as the injury bug set in, things started to go downhill. Just to name a few, Jared Fernandez fizzled out, Chris Demaria couldn't cut it, and Ben Hendrickson faltered.
What was once a strength has become a liability. Early in the season, closer Derrick Turnbow struggled to the point where Ned Yost yanked him with a save situation still intact. At the time, it seemed odd, but Turnbow hasn't really been the same since.
His set-up man, Matt Wise, has been woefully inconsistent as well; looking little like the guy that baffled National League hitters in 2005.
The brightest spot this season has been Jose Capellan. The hard-throwing right-hander has shown willingness -- and more importantly, an ability -- to pitch nearly every day. Of course, that may have contributed to shoulder problems that landed him on the disabled list.
Brian Shouse has done a decent job getting out lefties and righties while Rick Helling has settled down in the bullpen since returning from injury. Nonetheless, the lack of consistency is dangerous for a team that is trying to snap a string of 24 seasons watching the playoffs on television.
The recent addition of Francisco Cordero -- picked up from Texas Friday in exchange for Carlos Lee -- is expected to bolster the late-inning performance of the bullpen. Plus, there is still time before the non-waiver trade deadline, so the chance remains that Doug Melvin may not be done dealing.
The Brewers general manager has said he’s still entertaining offers from other teams, and would be willing to make a move that would vastly improve the ball club. Owner Mark Attanasio has also gone on the record saying that there is enough room in the budget to make a sensible deal.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. With so many teams well ahead of the Brewers in terms of playoff potential, it’s a safe bet that what little pitching is available could see some pretty hefty offers from other suitors.
Should such help not be available, Yost and the entire team are crossing their fingers that Ben Sheets’ and Tomo Ohka’s recent performances are no fluke. Both returned from over two months on the disabled list and have been impressive out of the gate; Sheets pitched a typical Sheets outing in his return (seven innings, six hits, one run and no decision) while Ohka has allowed just three runs in 13 innings of work since returning, including an eight-inning performance last week.
It’s highly unlikely that their return will restore the strength and stability necessary for a legitimate post-season run. Sad to say, but that ship sailed a long time ago. But if the Brewers can find some help and get their bullpen in order, maybe they can at least make things entertaining over the next two months.
There have been many factors that have led to the Brewers’ disappointing and often frustrating performance, but one of the bigger factors has to be the almost complete absence of relief pitching.
It seems like ages ago that the Brewers jumped out to a 5-0 start to the season, and had people around here thinking about baseball in autumn. While the offense at the time was far from mid-season form, the pitching kept this team above water.
Starters were working into the later innings, and the bullpen guys were handling their roles. But as the injury bug set in, things started to go downhill. Just to name a few, Jared Fernandez fizzled out, Chris Demaria couldn't cut it, and Ben Hendrickson faltered.
What was once a strength has become a liability. Early in the season, closer Derrick Turnbow struggled to the point where Ned Yost yanked him with a save situation still intact. At the time, it seemed odd, but Turnbow hasn't really been the same since.
His set-up man, Matt Wise, has been woefully inconsistent as well; looking little like the guy that baffled National League hitters in 2005.
The brightest spot this season has been Jose Capellan. The hard-throwing right-hander has shown willingness -- and more importantly, an ability -- to pitch nearly every day. Of course, that may have contributed to shoulder problems that landed him on the disabled list.
Brian Shouse has done a decent job getting out lefties and righties while Rick Helling has settled down in the bullpen since returning from injury. Nonetheless, the lack of consistency is dangerous for a team that is trying to snap a string of 24 seasons watching the playoffs on television.
The recent addition of Francisco Cordero -- picked up from Texas Friday in exchange for Carlos Lee -- is expected to bolster the late-inning performance of the bullpen. Plus, there is still time before the non-waiver trade deadline, so the chance remains that Doug Melvin may not be done dealing.
The Brewers general manager has said he’s still entertaining offers from other teams, and would be willing to make a move that would vastly improve the ball club. Owner Mark Attanasio has also gone on the record saying that there is enough room in the budget to make a sensible deal.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. With so many teams well ahead of the Brewers in terms of playoff potential, it’s a safe bet that what little pitching is available could see some pretty hefty offers from other suitors.
Should such help not be available, Yost and the entire team are crossing their fingers that Ben Sheets’ and Tomo Ohka’s recent performances are no fluke. Both returned from over two months on the disabled list and have been impressive out of the gate; Sheets pitched a typical Sheets outing in his return (seven innings, six hits, one run and no decision) while Ohka has allowed just three runs in 13 innings of work since returning, including an eight-inning performance last week.
It’s highly unlikely that their return will restore the strength and stability necessary for a legitimate post-season run. Sad to say, but that ship sailed a long time ago. But if the Brewers can find some help and get their bullpen in order, maybe they can at least make things entertaining over the next two months.
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