Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 22, 2022 17:21:15 GMT -5
Pittsburgh Pirates (43-62) @ Milwaukee Brewers (79-27)
PIT: Nelson Hernandez (5-9, 4.58)
MIL: Branden Andexler (11-2, 2.74)
Pirates 3 Key Stats
15: Consecutive losses for Pittsburgh until Sunday: The Pirates had been reasonably successful up until the All-Star break. They had taken three of four from the Mets heading into the break, and though they lost their final game, it was a close extra-inning affair. A playoff berth would have been unlikely, but Pittsburgh was a solid 42-48 and within range of their first back-to-back years with a winning record since 2017/2018. However, against a tough schedule—the Mets again, two of the top three NL West teams, and the division leaders in the NL Central and NL East, Pittsburgh let go of the rope. They lost three one-run games to New York, got swept in Arizona and San Francisco, then returned home to get swept by the Brewers. They lost the first two against Philadelphia before salvaging the final game. The Pirates are sinking in the standings and their hopes of any kind of successful year have been dashed.
-23.5: Pittsburgh’s Zone Rating: Despite pitchers with good stuff, Pittsburgh has not been above average in run prevention. A poor defense is likely the culprit. The Pirates have the third worst zone rating in the NL, and the second worst Range Factor. They don’t convert balls in play to outs. As a result, a starter like Nelson Hernandez who keeps the ball in the park and does a good job throwing strikes still has a 4.58 ERA.
8: Doubles by Alan Ramos: Mounds still hits mounds of homers, but the rest of his game has flattened out. He hit 45 doubles in 2026, but it will take a push to hit a third of that number this year. He hit .293 that year, but is down to.242 this year. His OBP is a career low .311. Somehow he has eight triples which explains some of the lower doubles totals, but his all around game is deteriorating. With his final arbitration year looming, Pittsburgh has to wonder whether it’s worth signing Ramos to an extension, or even if it’s worth non-tendering him to save cash.
Brewers 3 Key Stats
2: Series losses to teams with losing records this year: Pittsburgh has largely cleaned up against bad teams, but they have dropped a pair of series against losing teams. Once, in May against the Padres, but also last month in a four-game set in Pittsburgh. The Brewers need to take Pittsburgh seriously as the Pirates have shown they can handle Milwaukee.
.604: Right-handed hitters OPS against Branden Andexler: Scruffy has dominated same-side hitters this year holding them to more than 100 OPS fewer than lefties. In a similar number of plate appearances, they have fewer walks (12 vs 18) and far fewer homers (3 vs 15). Pittsburgh only has four righties in its bas lineup, which could help them against Scruffy.
.111: Zack Prazjner’s batting average since July 2: Prajzner was playing well above his career norms in the early part of the year, with an .871 OPS after a four-hit game against Chicago January 2. He only has nine hits since and just one extra base hit since the date. Of course the Brewers keep winning and Prajzner’s defense is a huge part of that. Their offense, however, is a little less absurd than it was to begin the year.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike McAvoy, Really rough second half for your club. What has changed from the first half to the second?
Luis Castillo’s defense has fallen off this year, as has his average. He’s starting to get a little more expensive, and while he was really good last year, he’s been equally bad this year. Is he a non-tender or trade candidate?
Brad Street’s working with a sore elbow. Will you put him on the IL?
For Luke Grimmelbein, Mike Perches is due off the IL. Who will you send down to call him up?
Your club is exactly $1 overbudget. Aside from checking seat cushions, how will you try to balance your budget?
You’ve given Nick Rollins some time at Second Base. How have the results looked so far?
TRIVIA: Who led Milwaukee in position player WAR during their most recent losing season?
PIT: Nelson Hernandez (5-9, 4.58)
MIL: Branden Andexler (11-2, 2.74)
Pirates 3 Key Stats
15: Consecutive losses for Pittsburgh until Sunday: The Pirates had been reasonably successful up until the All-Star break. They had taken three of four from the Mets heading into the break, and though they lost their final game, it was a close extra-inning affair. A playoff berth would have been unlikely, but Pittsburgh was a solid 42-48 and within range of their first back-to-back years with a winning record since 2017/2018. However, against a tough schedule—the Mets again, two of the top three NL West teams, and the division leaders in the NL Central and NL East, Pittsburgh let go of the rope. They lost three one-run games to New York, got swept in Arizona and San Francisco, then returned home to get swept by the Brewers. They lost the first two against Philadelphia before salvaging the final game. The Pirates are sinking in the standings and their hopes of any kind of successful year have been dashed.
-23.5: Pittsburgh’s Zone Rating: Despite pitchers with good stuff, Pittsburgh has not been above average in run prevention. A poor defense is likely the culprit. The Pirates have the third worst zone rating in the NL, and the second worst Range Factor. They don’t convert balls in play to outs. As a result, a starter like Nelson Hernandez who keeps the ball in the park and does a good job throwing strikes still has a 4.58 ERA.
8: Doubles by Alan Ramos: Mounds still hits mounds of homers, but the rest of his game has flattened out. He hit 45 doubles in 2026, but it will take a push to hit a third of that number this year. He hit .293 that year, but is down to.242 this year. His OBP is a career low .311. Somehow he has eight triples which explains some of the lower doubles totals, but his all around game is deteriorating. With his final arbitration year looming, Pittsburgh has to wonder whether it’s worth signing Ramos to an extension, or even if it’s worth non-tendering him to save cash.
Brewers 3 Key Stats
2: Series losses to teams with losing records this year: Pittsburgh has largely cleaned up against bad teams, but they have dropped a pair of series against losing teams. Once, in May against the Padres, but also last month in a four-game set in Pittsburgh. The Brewers need to take Pittsburgh seriously as the Pirates have shown they can handle Milwaukee.
.604: Right-handed hitters OPS against Branden Andexler: Scruffy has dominated same-side hitters this year holding them to more than 100 OPS fewer than lefties. In a similar number of plate appearances, they have fewer walks (12 vs 18) and far fewer homers (3 vs 15). Pittsburgh only has four righties in its bas lineup, which could help them against Scruffy.
.111: Zack Prazjner’s batting average since July 2: Prajzner was playing well above his career norms in the early part of the year, with an .871 OPS after a four-hit game against Chicago January 2. He only has nine hits since and just one extra base hit since the date. Of course the Brewers keep winning and Prajzner’s defense is a huge part of that. Their offense, however, is a little less absurd than it was to begin the year.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike McAvoy, Really rough second half for your club. What has changed from the first half to the second?
Luis Castillo’s defense has fallen off this year, as has his average. He’s starting to get a little more expensive, and while he was really good last year, he’s been equally bad this year. Is he a non-tender or trade candidate?
Brad Street’s working with a sore elbow. Will you put him on the IL?
For Luke Grimmelbein, Mike Perches is due off the IL. Who will you send down to call him up?
Your club is exactly $1 overbudget. Aside from checking seat cushions, how will you try to balance your budget?
You’ve given Nick Rollins some time at Second Base. How have the results looked so far?
TRIVIA: Who led Milwaukee in position player WAR during their most recent losing season?
