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Old 03-23-2020, 04:45 PM   #1
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It's Miller Time - Brewers Start a New Decade

09:08, March 26th 2020, Milwaukee

It was a quiet off-season for the Milwaukee Brewers, heading into their 50th year as a franchise in the city. At least, it was, until Christian Yelich signed a big-money extension through to 2029, and a new GM & Manager were installed only days later. After two consecutive playoff appearances, the Brew Crew are hoping to leave a lasting mark on the 2020s, and it all starts now...

Pre-Season Business

The Yelich contract was huge news for the fans, and shows a commitment to winning from the ownership. Outside of that, the only trade made before play began saw the Reds' two-way player Michael Lorenzen join the roster, in exchange for Keon Broxton, the versatile outfielder who was out of option years, and minor league pitching prospect Yostin Villalobos.

Opening Day Roster

SP Brandon Woodruff
SP Adrian Houser
SP Josh Lindblom
SP Corbin Burnes
SP Brent Suter

Rotation - With Woodruff the only notable name, the Brewers are relying on solid, bend-but-don't-break performance from the rest. Corbin Burnes gets another chance as a SP, hoping to make it stick this time.

CL Josh Hader
SU Alex Claudio
SU Freddy Peralta
MR Devin Williams
MR Ray Black
MR David Phelps
LR Aaron Wilkerson
LR Brett Anderson
RP/OF Michael Lorenzen

Bullpen - Josh Hader is one of two truly star names playing in Milwaukee this season, next to Christian Yelich. The rest of the bullpen is a mix of promise and experience. Freddy Peralta starts as a setup man after signing a multi-year deal in Spring Training, but could also see action as a long-man or at the back of the rotation. Devin Williams is an intriguing thrower with excellent stuff & upside, as long as he can improve his control. Formerly SPs, Aaron Wilkerson & Brett Anderson will start out in the pen, but will likely see some starts over the season too. Lorenzen provides an extra option to help manage fatigue.

C Omar Narvaez
1B Justin Smoak
2B Keston Hiura
SS Brock Holt
3B Eric Sogard/Jedd Gyorko
LF Christian Yelich
CF Lorenzo Cain
RF Avisail Garcia

Starters - A few new names here that may take time to settle in. Narvaez will need to provide with the bat to make up for his defensive shortcomings, especially after replacing Yasmani Grandal. Keston Hiura is a potentially outstanding young player, who'll be looking to carry some consistency into his sophomore year. Brock Holt can play nearly anywhere, but will start at SS due to Luis Urias' injury. Sogard & Gyorko will alternate at third, while the outfield sees Yelich move from right to left, accommodating new arrival Avisail Garcia from the White Sox.

C Manny Pina
1B Logan Morrison
LF/1B Ryan Braun
OF/RP Michael Lorenzen

Bench - Pina is a good defensive backup at catcher. Logan Morrison makes the roster after an impressive Spring, and will compete hard with the experienced Justin Smoak at 1B. Ryan Braun starts the season in an unfamiliar place, and potentially in his final year as a Brewer. His experience will still be of sizeable use to the team, and Braun is chasing 2000 career hits - he starts the season 67 hits away.

SS Luis Urias
RP Corey Knebel

Injured List - Both players will be back sooner rather than later, though recovery to full strength will likely take Knebel longer, coming back from Tommy John surgery.

C David Freitas
1B Ryon Healy
SS Orlando Arcia
SS Ronny Rodriguez
OF Ben Gamel
RP JP Feyereisen
RP Justin Grimm
SP Eric Lauer
SP Shelby Miller

AAA Depth - Solid backups for the Brewers, if far from spectacular.

The Minor League System

Aside from reasonable depth at AAA San Antonio, Milwaukee is struggling for future prospects. 2B Brice Turang is the only potential star, but begins 2020 at A+, while C Mario Feliciano (AA) and SS Eduardo Garcia (R) are the only other names worth checking on. Improving the system while still competing will be a top priority for the club.

Finances

The Yelich contract showed a commitment from the organisation's owners, and there is around $25m still available in the 2020 payroll. If the Brewers are competing well around the deadline then moves are possible, or perhaps one of the big name FAs this Autumn could be taken seriously. Mookie Betts seems like a longshot, but others such as JT Realmuto, Marcus Semien or George Springer may be more realistic targets. The club can likely save a good amount by turning down options on players like Ryan Braun, and some of the experienced pitchers.

It's Time to Play Ball! I'll provide series reports & team notes as the season moves along
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Old 03-23-2020, 05:22 PM   #2
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20:47, April 1st 2020, Milwaukee

Series 1, vs Chicago Cubs (0-0)

Opening the season is always special, but none more so than to your divisional rivals at home!

Game 1, 0-3 L

A tough start for the Brewers, who provide only 1 hit on offense to go down quietly at Miller Park. Cubs starter Yu Darvish went 8 innings for only 1 hit and 3 walks, and Craig Kimbrel took his first Save of the year. Kris Bryant hit a solo homer, and RBIs came for Javier Baez and Wilson Contreras.

Game 2, 4-7 L

A 4 run burst in the first brought the stadium to life for the first time in 2020. Yelich hit an RBI double to send Cain home, and Avisail Garcia hit his first longball for the club, a 2 run homer to round out an excellent start for the Crew against Kyle Hendricks. Sadly, the Cubs would add a 5 run explosion of their own in the third, on Brewers starter Adrian Houser, including a 3 run homer for Kris Bryant, and 2 run shot for Kyle Schwarber. Chicago reliever Alec Mills had a star turn, going 3 innings for no hits or walks, and Kimbrel took his second save of the year.

Game 3, 4-3 W

Milwaukee finally get one in the win column for 2020. A starting pitcher's duel between Jose Quintana and Josh Lindblom until the 7th inning, it was an Omar Narvaez pinch-hit RBI single that finally won the game for the Brewers in the bottom of the eighth. The Cubs had intentionally walked the previous batter to get to right-handed catcher Manny Pina with two outs, but found themselves facing left-hander Narvaez from the bench. Josh Hader came in for the final out of the game to take his first save of the season.

Cubs win series 2-1. Brewers record 1-2.

Series 2, vs St Louis Cardinals (2-1)

Game 4, 0-8 L

Any euphoria felt from beating the Cubs in Game 3 was quickly extinguished. Despite giving up 7 hits, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright went 7 innings for 0 runs, and also crossed the plate twice as a batter. Corbin Burnes' first taste of action in 2020 did not go to plan, and he exited at the start of the 4th inning, having given up 6 hits for 7 runs, 6 earned, and 3 homers. Matt Carpenter went 3 for 5 with an RBI, and Paul Goldschmidt hit a 3 run homer.

Game 5, 5-2 W

Brent Suter had as good of an outing as you can get for 66 pitches, going 5 innings for 3 hits, 0 runs, and 6 K's. He came out prematurely with Milwaukee batting in the bottom of the 5th, Logan Morrison coming in to pinch-hit with 2 on-base. He hit a 2-run double, starting a 4 run inning for the Crew which would carry them to the win. St Louis starter Daniel Ponce de Leon would only go 4.2 innings for 3 hits and 4 earned runs. Josh Hader came out to pitch the 9th inning with Milwaukee 5-0 up, but would give up back-to-back home runs to Paul DeJong and Tyler O'Neill, leaving Devin Williams to come in for a one out save.

Game 6, 8-7 W

This game was really all about the Cardinals, at least until the bottom of the 9th inning. Jack Flaherty had a solid start, going 5.2 innings for 4 hits and 2 earned runs. Brandon Woodruff was much the opposite, going 4.1 innings for 8 hits and 6 earned runs. St Louis entered the bottom of the 9th up 7-2 on the scoreboard, out-hitting the Brewers 12-6, and seemingly cruising to victory - then again, it's never over until it's over. Cards reliever John Gant gave up a single and two walks to load the bases, and then Giovanny Gallegos replaced him in time for Lorenzo Cain to hit a bases-clearing triple, making the score 7-5. Gallegos then hit Keston Hiura, before giving up a run on a fielder's choice groundball from Christian Yelich. Logan Morrison's at-bat provided another FC, and left the game at 7-6 St Louis with 2 outs. The Cardinals turned to right-handed reliever Kodi Whitley to put out the fire, but his first act was a 4-ball walk of Omar Narvaez, which moved Logan Morrison to scoring position at 2nd. Who else to come up then, but longtime Milwaukee hero Ryan Braun? He sent a line-drive double into left-field, scoring two runs , and sending Miller Park into mayhem.

Brewers win series 2-1. Brewers record 3-3
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Old 03-29-2020, 01:28 PM   #3
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10:48, 6th April 2020, Philadelphia

Milwaukee heads to Philadelphia for a 3 game series, with an off-day after the first game. The Brewers carry a couple of day-to-day injuries; LHP Alex Claudio is having some back spasm issues, while Ryan Braun picked up a bruised knee running the bases on his walk-off double last time out.

Series 3 @ Philadelphia Phillies (7-0)

Game 7, 6-1 W

First game on the road for the Crew, and they swung for the fences, hitting 5 home runs en route to a comfortable win. Christian Yelich opened the scoring with a long-shot in the 3rd, and Justin Smoak hit a 3 run boomer in the 6th to give the Brewers breathing room; the former Toronto first baseman sent an 0-2, 98 mph fastball from Phillies starter Vince Velasquez flying over the CF wall. Adrian Houser had a solid outing in his second start of the season, going 6 IP for 6 hits & 1 ER, a solo shot from Phillies catcher Realmuto in the 7th. Devin Williams continued his outstanding beginning to the season by throwing 2 IP with no one allowed on base - the right hander has gone 5 IP for 1 hit and 8 K's to begin 2020. The top of the 9th inning provided further positive for Milwaukee - two pinch-hit home runs from Jedd Gyorko and Omar Narvaez.

Game 8, 7-3 W

A fourth win a row for the Brewers. Jedd Gyorko replaced Brock Holt in the starting lineup, slotting in at third base with Eric Sogard moving to shortstop. Omar Narvaez picked up where he left off the previous night, with a 2 RBI bases-loaded single in the first; he'd also add an RBI double later on in the game. The hot bat for Philadelphia was LF Nick Martini, who drove in a run in the 2nd to keep the game close before doing the same in the 5th. It would be in vain thanks to more great hitting from the Brewers; Justin Smoak added the big boomer of the game for the second day in a row, hitting a 2 run homer in the 5th over the right field wall; 5 RBIs in two days for the first baseman. Jedd Gyorko is getting on a roll, adding another homer in the 8th, as did Christian Yelich in the 9th. Josh Lindblom was consistent for Milwaukee on the mound, and even managed to strike out the side in the 4th; no mean feat against Harper, Realmuto & Herrera.

Game 9, 3-4 L (10)

Milwaukee are making a habit of closing out series with exciting finishes; long may it continue. The game was a pitchers' duel for the most part. Corbin Burnes managed his first quality start of the season, as he tries to cement a place in the rotation for the coming years. He went 6.1 IP for 3 hits and 1 run, surprisingly striking out no batters. From the other dugout, it was Jake Arrieta on sparkling form that would eventually prove the difference. Arrieta went 8.2 IP for 5 hits and 2 earned runs, although even those only came in the 9th as he tried to complete the game. It was a J.T. Realmuto solo shot to leadoff the bottom of the 5th that gave Philly a slender 1-0 lead through 8 innings, but the Brewers seem to have an affinity for batting in the 9th. Omar Narvaez stepped up with runners on 2nd & 3rd, adding a sacrifice fly RBI to his box score to tie the game, driving out Arrieta, before left-hander Brock Holt came off the bench to hit a 2 run homer to right-field off Phillies' reliever Hector Neris. It seemed like the Brewers had stolen the win, but it wasn't to be; Josh Hader would blow the save after two outs, plunking Jean Segura before seeing Didi Gregorius turn his fastball into a souvenir for the fans in left field. It was then left to Odubel Herrera to walk it off in the 10th with a homer off Devin Williams, only the 2nd hit the reliever has given up this season.

Brewers win series 2-1. Brewers record 5-4.

Elsewhere in the league this week, youngsters Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres) picked up the Player of the Week awards, each hitting 12-for-24. Next up, the Brewers head to Cincinnati for a 2 game matchup.
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Old 04-02-2020, 01:15 PM   #4
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16:50, 10th April 2020, Milwaukee

The Brewers head to Cincinnati for a 2-game series against their NL Central rivals.

Series 4 @ Cincinnati Reds (2-7)

Game 10, 6-7 L

A second heartbreaker in two games for the Crew. Brent Suter made the coaching staff regret choosing him to start when Brandon Woodruff was available; the No.5 starter was blasted for 4 runs in the opening frame, with a Joey Votto lead-off home run followed by a 3-run shot from Eugenio Suarez. Surprisingly the Brewers did manage to get back in the game, and tied it 5-5 in the 5th, with a 2-run homer from the hot hand of Jedd Gyorko. Milwaukee would take a 6-5 lead into the 9th, after a Lorenzo Cain RBI double, but a tired bullpen would be their undoing. The manager went for Michael Lorenzen to pitch the bottom of the 9th at his old home park, and he was hit hard by former team-mate (and former Brewer) Mike Moustakas, who pinch-hit for a 2-run, walk-off homer into right-field, giving the Reds the win. Lorenzo Cain went 4 for 5 for Milwaukee.

Game 11, 3-8 L

No heartbreaker for the Brewers this time; just a pounding. A first 'away day' lineup of the season saw Holt, Morrison & Braun get starts. Brandon Woodruff now has 3 poor starts out of 3 to open 2020, which is a worry for Brewers fans. He managed just 4.1 IP for 9 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), and only 1 strikeout. The two 'un-earned' runs owed baseball's unique scoring system, as both were Wild Pitches with runners on 3rd. Sonny Gray pitched a full 9 innings for the Reds, giving up 6 hits and 3 ER, picking up his 10th strikeout to end the game. Ryan Braun provided some minor cheer for the Brewers with 2 home runs, in the 7th & 9th innings.

Reds win series 2-0. Brewers record 5-6

-----------------

The 8th of April was an off-day, and a chance to assess a couple of new day-to-day injuries. Lorenzo Cain picked up a thumb contusion on a running catch, but should be okay to play the next game at home to the Mets. Brett Anderson left the mound with back spasms, and will likely not pitch for a few days.

Next series up sees the New York Mets visiting Miller Park for a 4-game set, with a notably poor record in tow.

Series 5 vs New York Mets (1-10)

Game 12, 5-4 W

Adrian Houser gave the Brewers what they needed after a rough few days - a quality start of 6 innings. He also out-duelled Steven Matz, who would only last until the 4th inning. Omar Narvaez hit a mammoth 2-run homer into right-field, his 2nd HR of the game, and Keston Hiura hit a hard liner down the LF line to make the score 5-1. The Mets hung in there, though, including some outstanding defence - a 2-3 double-play from catcher Rene Rivera with bases loaded stopped the Brewers adding more runs in the bottom of the 7th. They came within 1 run of the Brewers in the 8th, but a throw-out to home from Christian Yelich that picked off Luis Guillorme proved vital. Josh Hader banished any memories of his prior blown save, and took all 3 outs in the 9th to give the Brewers a big win. Omar Narvaez was 2-for-2 with 2 HR, 2BB, and 3RBI.

Brewers record 6-6

The Brewers will continue their home series against the Mets, with Josh Lindblom set to start against Marcus Stroman.
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Old 04-07-2020, 12:04 PM   #5
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15:34, 13th April 2020, Milwaukee

The Crew (6-6) continue their series against the Mets (1-11), having taken game 1.

Game 13, 4-6 L (12)

New York ended their 10 game skid with an extra-innings victory. The Brewers took an early lead, with Christian Yelich and Justin Smoak providing runs in the 1st, but Pete Alonso homered in the 4th to tie the game at 2-2. In the 5th, the Mets picked up 2 more, and the Brewers took one back with a Yelich RBI Walk. New York took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 9th, but yet another RBI Walk from Logan Morrison tied the game with 2 outs. Michael Lorenzen saved the Brewers in the 11th inning, gaining all 3 outs with a runner on 3rd, before giving up a homer to Eduardo Nunez in the 12th, followed up with an RBI double from Jeff McNeil, his third double of the game. McNeil would leave the game in the bottom of the 12th after a hard slide at 2nd; he was diagnosed the next day with a fractured ankle, and will miss four months.

11th April

In Houston, George Springer signed a 6 year, $176.7m contract extension, but more pertinently for the Brewers, Luis Urias became eligible from the Injured List. The shortstop, brought in from the Padres in the off-season in a trade, will go straight into the starting lineup, where SS duties have been shared between Brock Holt and Eric Sogard. The Brewers decided that relief pitcher David Phelps would be the man to make way on the roster, but the 33 year-old refused to be demoted. After no satisfactory trade offers were found, Phelps was placed on waivers and designated for assignment.

Game 14, 7-1 W

Keston Hiura was the hero of the day, hitting his first two home runs of the season to help the Brewers to a straightforward victory. Hiura turned on a Rick Porcello fastball in the 1st for a solo effort, before driving the pitcher for a 3-run homer in the 3rd, both to left field. Logan Morrison added a 3-run shot of his own in the 5th to give the Brewers a 7-0 lead. Corbin Burnes managed a solid outing, going 5 innings for 4 hits, 1 run (unearned), and 8 K's.


Game 15, 4-5 L (11)

Brent Suter put up a good performance against Jacob DeGrom, but it wasn't enough for the Crew. Suter, the No.5 starter, went 6.1 IP for 6 hits and 1 ER, striking out 7. Milwaukee held a slender 2-1 lead into the 8th, all runs coming from home runs - Cain & Morrison for the Brewers, Pete Alonso for the Mets. Jake Marisnick would turn the game around with a 3-run blast in the 8th, with 2 outs; the Brewers tried to stretch Freddy Peralta for one more out, and it cost them. Logan Morrison made his a double-dinger game in the bottom of the inning however, and tied the game back at 4-4, off the pitching of Michael Wacha. The second extra-innings game of the series ended with a poor catching effort from Omar Narvaez in the 11th - the catcher allowed one passed ball to let the Mets' Marisnick move from 2nd to 3rd base, and then a second to let the Mets take the lead with minimal effort.

Series tied 2-2. Brewers record 7-8

Next up, the BrewCrew welcome the Philadelphia Phillies for a 4 game series at home. The Phillies have started the season at 12-4, and lead the NL East.

Milwaukee sit 17th in the weekly power rankings, with no movement. The early NL Central Division looks as follows....

Chicago Cubs - 11-5
Pittsburgh Pirates - 10-5
Milwaukee Brewers - 7-8
St. Louis Cardinals - 7-9
Cincinnati Reds - 6-9
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Old 04-11-2020, 11:26 AM   #6
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10:03, 17th April, New York

(n.b. to move the season along at a slightly faster pace, this is a report of my first un-managed series of 2020)

The Brewers (7-8) are hosting the Philadelphia Phillies (12-4) for 4 games.

13th April

v Phillies, 4-7L

Brandon Woodruff manages his first okay start of the season, going 5.2 IP for 5 H and 1ER, striking out 8. Former Brewer Jean Segura goes 3 for 4 leading off the Phillies' lineup.

14th April

SP Bowden Francis from AA Biloxi is out for 2 weeks with forearm tendinitis, and the minor rosters have been shuffled to put more pitching in the upper reaches of the system.

v Phillies, 4-10 L

3B Jedd Gyorko went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI, while Lorenzo Cain & Keston Hiura both went 3 for 5 at the top of the order.

15th April

Long-relief arm Brett Anderson has picked up back spasms, which is technically a day-to-day injury, but lasting up to a week. He goes on the 15-day IL. 24 year-old left-hander Eric Lauer is called up from AAA San Antonio, while 24 year-old right-hander Thomas Jenkins moves up from Biloxi to San Antonio.

v Phillies, 3-7 L (12)

Christian Yelich goes 2-3 with 3 walks, while Phillies CF Odubel Herrera hits 4 for 4 with 2 walks.

16th April

v Phillies, 9-15 L

Bryce Harper has a three home run game.

Phillies win series 4-0, record now 16-4. Brewers record 7-12.

17th April

Brewers are in New York for a 3 game matchup with the Mets. NY also places Michael Wacha on waivers ($3million contract), Milwaukee makes a claim, due to resolve tomorrow.

----------------------

Personal Note - After managing every game prior to this series, I set every strategy setting I could think of for the AI/Bench Coach to handle, and yet within one series, my bullpen is completely worn out. I have finally set the 'pull relievers' setting to the longest possible, but the Bench Coach has nearly used every reliever, every game, which is incredibly frustrating, and leaves me with a conundrum as to how to play this season going forward. Anyway, thanks for reading
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Old 04-20-2020, 03:20 PM   #7
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GM Diaries, Chapter 1

17th April 2020, NY

Right, time to get serious about this season, and hire an actual manager, seeing as the Bench Coach is on a mission to put my bullpen in the hospital.

Looking at the options out there - Bruce Bochy? Not sure he's a great candidate having just retired. Buck Showalter? Might come up with some nice quotes, but that's not necessarily a bonus.... Nope, we're gonna have to do it, Craig Counsell will return. Hopefully anyway, we've offered him $1.4m to return to the job he was unceremoniously dumped from when I came into town thinking I could GM and Manage at the same time. He's listed as a 'conventional' manager, though I must say I disagree looking at his preferences...

Game today is the first of 3 at the NY Mets, still struggling at 4-15. Brewers are at 7-12 after being swept at home by Philadelphia. Brent Suter going up against DeGrom...

1-3 Loss. We had the lead a long time thanks to Lorenzo Cain's homer in the 1st, but lost it in the 7th to the bullpen, perhaps predictably. Brent Suter did well, going 6 IP for 3 H and 2 BB, but David Phelps' return to the pen from DFA did not go to plan. He ended up throwing 46 pitches, poor guy, and the Met's breakthrough was a Dominic Smith 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 7th. Luis Urias has also picked up a mystery injury. 7-13 record, lost 5 in a row. I'll find something positive to mention tomorrow.

18th April 2020, NY

Still not sure what Luis Urias has done to himself, but we did get some good news - Michael Wacha was successfully claimed off waivers! He has a $3m contract for the year, and has been pitching in relief for the Mets, though apparently not too well - they waived him with options available. I'll take him anyway, though I need to see whether he'll go in the rotation or as a long-relief man. Elsewhere, the San Franciso Giants got some bad news, as Evan Longoria is out for 5-6 months with a broken bone in his elbow. Ouch.

We've sent Luis Urias on to the 10-day IL while we wait for his diagnosis. Orlando Arcia will get his first Majors action of the season. We take the 25 year-old Venezuelan over utility man Ronny Rodriguez, though I'd like to get him once we've settled down more.

Game today sees Brandon Woodruff go up against Noah Syndegaard..... except it doesn't, the weather moved in and it's postponed until tomorrow. Yay double-header! (not sure if I mean that or not....)

19th April 2020, NY

Two games today then, though we at least have an off-day tomorrow to recover. Luis Urias is confirmed as having Back Spasms, that'll be 6 weeks... Craig Counsell signed! The 49 year-old out of South Bend, Indiana, will start work tomorrow (which is to say, I already did both of today's lineups and darn it they're staying). He was the 2018 Manager of the Year, you know...

Game 1 sees a 4-2 Win for us! We went down 0-2 early, but Woodruff held in there, going a solid 6 IP. Logan Morrison hit a solo homer in the 6th off Syndegaard, before the 7th saw a succession of singles, walks, and a wild pitch to put the Brewers up 4-2. Josh Hader got his third save of the year! Finally an end to the losing streak...

...Hopefully not a new one starting in Game 2, which sees a 1-3 Loss. Adrian Houser started against Steven Matz, who was the star for NY, going 7.1 IP for 2 H, 1ER and 8K. Pete Alonso hit a 2 run homer in the 1st for his 11th of the season, while our sole run came from a Ryan Braun blast in the 7th. Keston Hiura and Avisail Garcia were the unlucky ones who had to start and play both games, but hey, they're young-ish...

So the Mets take the series 2-1, improving to 6-16 on the year. The Brew Crew are now 8-14, which is certainly not the start we were hoping for, although it's still very early. On to our off-day!

20th April 2020, Pittsburgh

Craig Counsell takes charge of all lineup decisions today, ahead of a 3 game stand on the road to the Pirates. After that we go straight to Colorado, glad I packed that extra case...

The only roster requirement I leave for Craig is that Corbin Burnes will stay as a starting pitcher for the time being, with the hope he can establish himself in the rotation. Aside from that, we have some interesting GM decisions to make on the roster, which is frankly a little off-balance right now. First up, Michael Wacha needs to be designated, but in place of who? These are the issues...

a) Our bullpen currently stands at 8, although that includes Michael Lorenzen, who is covering the outfield at the same time. David Phelps, 33, can refuse demotion, while Ray Black, 28, has no options remaining, and I wouldn't be terribly confident he'd make it through waivers. Currently we only have 1 long-reliever in Eric Lauer, as Brett Anderson is on the DL with back spasms, albeit a day-to-day injury. Adding either him or Wacha as a long-reliever means dropping Phelps or Black.

b) The infield roster has some decent ability, but it's fragmented & expensive. First base is between Logan Morrison and Justin Smoak. Morrison has started strong, and is on a minimum deal, while Smoak is earning $4m. Ryan Braun is an extra option at 1st (and LF, and with his contract is unlikely to go anywhere). At third base, Eric Sogard ($4m) is sharing with Jedd Gyorko ($1m). Sogard can cover shortstop acceptably, but it's not ideal. The other character is Brock Holt, who is versatile enough to fill-in anywhere, but is currently earning $2.5m for it. To keep our bullpen as strong as we'd like, someone in the infield has to go, but we have too many one position players and don't really want to send Holt down, even with minimum-contract Ronny Rodriguez at AAA, although he would be an acceptable replacement. It's also worth mentioning that nearly everyone mentioned above can refuse demotion too...

So, the long and short of it is that we need to reshape this roster a little! Time to look at some options...
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