If you’re not one of those baseball nerds who follows every single thing going on in the Milwaukee Brewers Organization, don’t worry, because The Sports Bank’s Nick Grays has you covered with what happened in the past week and what’s going on in the future.
And if you are one of those nerds, feel free to join in on some good old analysis of America’s pastime in the Brew City.
This week we talk about the dreadful seven game losing streak, Yovani Gallardo’s one-hitter and the schedule easing up a bit!
By: Nick Grays
Standings:
Milwaukee Brewers (14-20) (5-6 in series)
– Fifth in the NL Central
– Trail the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals by 5.5 games
– Brewers are a league-worst 2-8 in their last ten
– Run differential at -12 (down 17 from last week)
Last Week’s Headlines:
The Brutal Seven Game Losing Streak
I’m not sure which is worse, the Brewers lack of offense or this atrocious rap song about the team. Due a lot to the slumping offense, Milwaukee is 6-15 on the road with six of those losses this last week.
Superstars Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder were terrible on the ten-game road trip while combining to go a paltry 13-for-75 (.173). When your getting that kind of production from the middle of the line-up, it’s never a good thing.
Braun and Fielder weren’t the only culprits as no Brewer hit over .300 during the road-trip. If the team wants to stay in the playoff hunt, they need to HIT THE BALL.
Gallardo Back on Track?
The only bright-spot in a dark week for Milwaukee was Yovani Gallardo’s outing on Saturday. Fitting that it would also be the Brewers only win of the week. Gallardo appeared to return to form while working eight innings and yielding only one hit to the offensive juggernaut known as the St. Louis Cardinals.
He actually had a no-hit bid until the eight inning before a single ended the streak. Gallardo lasted eight innings before John Axford closed it down in the ninth for a 4-0 win. Gallardo and Axford combined for a one-hitter, something that has occurred only 18 times in franchise history.
Considering how Gallardo led the league in allowing hits (53) before the game, it was a huge step in the right direction for him to give up only one hit. He really worked his fastball and kept it low to induce groudballs, something we haven’t seen out of him lately.
Looking Ahead:
Back Home for What Should be an Easier Schedule
If the Brewers can’t get back on track this upcoming week, there is a problem. They play another offensively challenged team in the San Diego Padres (14-20) and the mediocre Pittsburgh Pirates (17-17). The kicker is that they get to play both series at home where they hopefully can turn things around before it’s too late.
Keep an eye out for the Monday game when Zack Greinke makes his Miller Park debut.
Monday, May 9th 7:10 PM (vs. San Diego)
Probable Pitchers: RHP Zack Greinke (0-1) vs. RHP Matt Latos (0-4)
Tuesday, May 10th 7:10 PM (vs. San Diego)
Probable Pitchers: RHP Shaun Marcum (3-1) vs. LHP Clayton Richard (1-3)
Wednesday, May 11th 12:10 PM (vs. San Diego)
Probable Pitchers: LHP Randy Wolf (3-3) vs. RHP Tim Stauffer (0-1)
Thursday, May 12th (OFF)
Friday, May 13th 7:10 PM (vs. Pittsburgh)
Probable Pitchers: RHP Yovani Gallardo (3-2) vs. RHP James McDonald (2-2)
Saturday, May 14th 3:10 PM (vs. Pittsburgh)
Probable Pitchers: LHP Chris Narveson (1-3) vs. RHP Jeff Karstens (2-1)
Sunday, May 15th 1:10 PM (vs. Pittsburgh)
Probable Pitchers: RHP Zack Greinke (0-1) vs. RHP Kevin Correia (5-2)
Do you think the Brewers are in big trouble or can they turn it around? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior editor at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.