Post by Commissioner Erick on May 27, 2024 11:21:02 GMT -5
Philadelphia Phillies (64-72) @ Milwaukee Brewers (84-54)
PHI: Matt Meyers (0-0, 10.80)
MIL: Mike Arnold (12-7, 3.72)
A big Jose Aguilla homer yesterday put the final coffin in the Milwaukee Brewers NL Central title hopes, and their attention is now fully turned to holding off the Giants for the first Wild Card. San Francisco has a tough final kick, but so does Milwaukee, so if they play too lackadaisical, they could find themselves needed to win in San Francisco to make it to the NLDS.
By most measures, Milwaukee has been the second best team in the National League. However, it’s been either a down year for the league with no elite teams outside of St. Louis, or it’s been a strong year for the league with a lot of middle class depth. The Brewers have statistically the league’s best bullpen, but it’s starting pitching—long the straw stirring the drink for Milwaukee, is only fifth in ERA, and buoyed by injured Tim Kierstead. The club is only eighth in runs, with its offense fueled by four solid hitters, with tape and rope holding the rest together.
Mike Arnold will look to do something about that today. He’s 12-7, albeit with a 3.72 ERA. His FIP is far better though, third in the league despite the more pedestrian ERA number. He allows a little more contact though, and his BABIP is the worst of his career by far, the two main factors why his FIP is third, and his ERA isn’t.
Milwaukee will take on a Philadelphia Phillies team suffering through an incredibly frustrating affair. The team has a positive run differential, and should be a little over .500. Instead, the team is four games worse than its Pythagorean record and eight worse than its Base Runs would indicate. If Philadelphia would perform at those levels, its season would be disappointing, but not excruciating.
Despite the disappointments, the team is third in OPS, third in home runs, and third in wOBA despite saying good bye to beloved Hall of Famer Seth Beer. The offense has largely been very young and has largely been very good. The pitching hasn’t followed, with Shane Baz a swear word muttered by Philadelphians who listen to sports radio.
Matt Myers will get the ball today. He went 7-1 for the Phillies in 2030 and had a 2.45 ERA in Lehigh Valley this year. Not a high impact arm, the Phillies will hope he’s more serviceable today than he was in his first start for the big club last week when he allowed four runs without a strikeout in 2 innings in Washington on August 31st.
Questions for the GMs:
For Matt Grubs, what will be the plan for next season. Assuming Luis Detres is non-tendered, you’ll have some budget space, but this is also your second straight tough season.
Who are you excited to get a closer look at evaluating today with an eye on 2033?
You’ve seen some skill decline from several players the last few years. Will their be a coaching overhaul following the season?
For Luke Grimmelbein, it looks like BABIP has been the reason Hawkeye hasn’t been as strong this year as years past. Will you try to employ more defenders to maximize his effect?
No J.P. Martinez Jr. today. Will we see a return of Micah Fortune?
What players will be added to your roster for today’s game?
TRIVIA: Seven players have had at least 100 career homers for Philadelphia. Who is the only one who hit right-handed?
PHI: Matt Meyers (0-0, 10.80)
MIL: Mike Arnold (12-7, 3.72)
A big Jose Aguilla homer yesterday put the final coffin in the Milwaukee Brewers NL Central title hopes, and their attention is now fully turned to holding off the Giants for the first Wild Card. San Francisco has a tough final kick, but so does Milwaukee, so if they play too lackadaisical, they could find themselves needed to win in San Francisco to make it to the NLDS.
By most measures, Milwaukee has been the second best team in the National League. However, it’s been either a down year for the league with no elite teams outside of St. Louis, or it’s been a strong year for the league with a lot of middle class depth. The Brewers have statistically the league’s best bullpen, but it’s starting pitching—long the straw stirring the drink for Milwaukee, is only fifth in ERA, and buoyed by injured Tim Kierstead. The club is only eighth in runs, with its offense fueled by four solid hitters, with tape and rope holding the rest together.
Mike Arnold will look to do something about that today. He’s 12-7, albeit with a 3.72 ERA. His FIP is far better though, third in the league despite the more pedestrian ERA number. He allows a little more contact though, and his BABIP is the worst of his career by far, the two main factors why his FIP is third, and his ERA isn’t.
Milwaukee will take on a Philadelphia Phillies team suffering through an incredibly frustrating affair. The team has a positive run differential, and should be a little over .500. Instead, the team is four games worse than its Pythagorean record and eight worse than its Base Runs would indicate. If Philadelphia would perform at those levels, its season would be disappointing, but not excruciating.
Despite the disappointments, the team is third in OPS, third in home runs, and third in wOBA despite saying good bye to beloved Hall of Famer Seth Beer. The offense has largely been very young and has largely been very good. The pitching hasn’t followed, with Shane Baz a swear word muttered by Philadelphians who listen to sports radio.
Matt Myers will get the ball today. He went 7-1 for the Phillies in 2030 and had a 2.45 ERA in Lehigh Valley this year. Not a high impact arm, the Phillies will hope he’s more serviceable today than he was in his first start for the big club last week when he allowed four runs without a strikeout in 2 innings in Washington on August 31st.
Questions for the GMs:
For Matt Grubs, what will be the plan for next season. Assuming Luis Detres is non-tendered, you’ll have some budget space, but this is also your second straight tough season.
Who are you excited to get a closer look at evaluating today with an eye on 2033?
You’ve seen some skill decline from several players the last few years. Will their be a coaching overhaul following the season?
For Luke Grimmelbein, it looks like BABIP has been the reason Hawkeye hasn’t been as strong this year as years past. Will you try to employ more defenders to maximize his effect?
No J.P. Martinez Jr. today. Will we see a return of Micah Fortune?
What players will be added to your roster for today’s game?
TRIVIA: Seven players have had at least 100 career homers for Philadelphia. Who is the only one who hit right-handed?
