I’m going to make a prediction here: Milwaukee Brewers Manager Craig Counsell doesn’t think the 2020 baseball season is going to make it.
I’ve suspected it since the beginning, but the past two games against the Minnesota Twins have pretty much sealed the thought for me. And what has happened the past two games? His starting pitching has happened. In yesterday’s game, Starter Josh Lindblom gave up 4 earned runs on 3 homers in the first 2 innings (the Brewers came back, fortunately). Today, starter Eric Lauer gives up 9 hits and 7 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings (and 6 runs in the first 2 innings of his previous start).
And while the wheels were falling off, not even a mound visit. Counsell just sat there twiddling his thumbs. Is this some kind of Covid19 policy?
It’s a 60-game season. There is no room for slumps. There is no room for late-season charges from down 4 games. There are 44 games left – just over a quarter of a regular season. Sure, it could be anyone’s game from here on out, but honestly, the teams that will contend at the end of the season are the teams that have their crap together now. Certainly not the teams who are feeling things out and giving their starters a chance to work through anything.
To tell you the truth though, I’m not concerned. I enjoy watching baseball. I’m glad to have something to root for. I’ll always consider 2020 as an asterisked season, even if MLB says differently. But it sure would be nice to see the Brewers actually put together a good effort.
I’m not certain they will.
The Brewers were bound to lay an egg sooner or later but baseball is a funny game. All it takes is 1 clutch performance and a few other pieces to fall into place and a team takes off. Interestingly enough last year after 60 games the Washington Nationals had the worst record in the national league. Anything can happen especially with the expanded playoff , but they’d better get a move on.