Last year I wrote a short post about the Brewers winning as soon as I give up on them. And so on opening day, true to form, this time down 5-2 against the Twins, I turn off the game in disgust.
And the Brewers proceed to score 3 in the bottom of the 9th and win it on a walk-off bouncer in the 10th.
Baseball is back, and as much as I like the excitement, I’d like to see more out of the Brew-crew than the typical “not quite there” that they always seem to pull off. The good teams win those games. If the Brewers are good, they’ll dig deep and win. This game was an oddball in that department though. They scored 3 in the bottom of the 9th on only one real hit. It starts out with Kolten Wong (one of my favorite players, even when he was with the Cardinals) being hit by a pitch. Then Keston Hiura (one of my least favorite players) hitting his typical “if it ain’t out of the park, it’s a dribbler to the pitcher” dribbler to the pitcher, only to have the pitcher making both the mistake of going for the lead runner at second (you’re up by three, dude; get the easy out) and throwing high and pulling the guy’s foot off the base. Then Yelich (my favorite player in baseball) hits a line shot to right, where it’s misplayed by the right fielder (in and out of his glove — should’ve been an out) to score one run. And then after the runners move up on a fly ball, Shaw drives in two more to tie it with a double — the only real hit of the inning (although they gave Yelich a single).
Then Hader throws up to 100mph in the 10th, and the Brewers win it in the bottom of the inning.
Exciting baseball, but let’s just crush the opponent, guys. I’ll feel more comfortable if you do it that way.
And I think the Brewers have what it takes too. They’ve got a team that can compete. Kolten Wong? Excellent pickup. Jackie Bradley, Jr.? Same. There are a few other moves that look good too this year, and some holdovers from last year that, if they pan out should make a difference. The pitching staff looks solid, and the bullpen is crazy good, with some of the best relievers in baseball. I think the starting eight are pretty solid. Although I’m not crazy about Hiura, if he can stop with his silly upper-cut swinging for the fences, he could be an incredible hitter. I’m also not crazy about him at first base, but again, if his bat works, and the rest of the field is loaded (Wong’s got second locked down — former gold-glover), then they’ve got to fit him somewhere.
So, here goes. We’ve got the typical “Bob turns it off and the Brewers mount a comeback to win” out of the way early. Now let’s go out and dominate.