Game of the Week: May 16: MIL @ PHI

[Commissioner Erick]

Milwaukee Brewers (24-18) @ Philadelphia Phillies (15-24)


MIL: Kenny McMahon (4-1, 3.42)
PHI: Jose Quezada (0-1, 7.00)


After A bit of a rough close to April, the Milwaukee Brewers are rolling again, going 10-3 in their last 13 games, with a tissue-soft schedule ahead of them for the next month. The Brewers are 2.5 games back in the NL Central, but with the second best offense in the league, they’re poised to go on a run.

Four Brewers hitters are hitting .299 or better, fueling that second-ranked offense—Grant Stein, Nick Rollins, Angel Silva, and J.P. Martinez Jr. With the exception of Rollins, none of those players has shown they could hit for a decent average the past two years, so whether those numbers hold is a question.

The Philadelphia Phillies are rebuilding and hoping for their veterans to play well enough to get a return in a trade. Star slugger Bobby Siegel is crushing it, with a similar trajectory to last year’s league leading 54 homer mark. However, with a bunch of stopgaps and youngsters rounding out the lineup, the club is still second from the bottom in runs. Siegl will need to single-handedly carry them today if they want a win.


Questions for the GMs:


For Luke Grimmelbein, Grant Stein, Nick Rollins, Angel Silva, and J.P. Martinez Jr. are all hitting .299 or better. How likely do you think those averages are that high after the year?

Cookie Downen has settled into more of a platoon role. Why did you shift his playing time and mostly bench him against righties?

Your team is last in steals and baserunning. Do you feel like you need more aggressiveness on the bases to become the best version of your club, or is that aspect of the game an afterthought?

For Matt Grubs, you signed Brady McConnell and Christian Arroyo to small deals and both are now on the PBA roster. Why did you sign the duo?

Obviously it’s a transition year, but have there been any players you’ve taken a look at that have pleasantly surprised you this year?

Elijah Cabell is giving you nothing. How long can you keep giving him starts in Center Field?


TRIVIA: Bobby Siegel led the NL in both home runs and walks last year. Who is the only player to ever lead the National League in both homers and walks in the same season?

[brewersgm]

Oct 19, 2024 9:54:49 GMT -5 Commissioner Erick said:

Questions for the GMs:


For Luke Grimmelbein, Grant Stein, Nick Rollins, Angel Silva, and J.P. Martinez Jr. are all hitting .299 or better. How likely do you think those averages are that high after the year?

Cookie Downen has settled into more of a platoon role. Why did you shift his playing time and mostly bench him against righties?

Your team is last in steals and baserunning. Do you feel like you need more aggressiveness on the bases to become the best version of your club, or is that aspect of the game an afterthought?

1. Nick Rollins is a really good hitter when he's available, maybe not a .300 hitter but I expect him to drive in runs as long as he's in the lineup. J.P. I also believe is gonna be a real good player for our organization. He consistently hits the ball hard and when you do that good things happen. Stein and Silva are riding BABIP highs but both are above average hitters for their career and it's encouraging to see Grant walking more than he strikes out. He's got one of the best eyes in the PBA. I do expect somewhat of a regression for these guys but I also don't expect Mike Perches, Rodolfo Rivera and Will Dulihanty to continue to be as bad at the plate as they've been (unless its got something to do with a version change). So I'm hopeful they can make up for some other guys coming back to earth. Those three are over 700 combined career HRs worth of hitters underperforming. 

2. We're trying to get Will Dulihanty going, which means more J.P. in RF vs RHP. We still love Cory's defense and use him as a sub vs RHP, but we need to find a way to get Dulihanty playing time if he's gonna turn his season around. 

3. The steals I don't mind because we've always been a patience and power type of team over a speed group. The baserunning is definitely an issue and has been for a few years now. Our guys run the bases like drunks. Justin Bloxom is great at working with our catchers but he's a terrible coach when it comes to baserunning which I believe might be part of the problem. We've tried all sorts of things and not many seem to work. 

[Commissioner Erick]

Phillies 12 - Brewers 5


WP: J. Agboola (3-0)
LP: K. McMahon (4-2)


The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 12-5, at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia designated hitter Justin Medaglia had a superb performance. He went 2-4 with a home run and a walk. He drove in 6 runs and scored once. The win has Philadelphia at 16-24.

With Philadelphia trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the first, Medaglia hit a forkball from Kenny McMahon for a grand slam home run. It was his 9th home run of the season and put the Phillies ahead, 5-2.

"Very pleased with the effort on our side," said Medaglia.


Questions for the GMs:


For Luke Grimmelbein, Kenny McMahon wasn't sharp but tried to suck up some innings. Would you have preferred to see him simply pulled early ,left in even longer since the game was a loss, or what your manager bot did by pulling him after 2 innings?

Rodolfo Rivera pinch hit for Grant Stein in the ninth. Did you care for the decision?

Wilfried Baan walked, stole a base, and scored a run. What have you thought of the youngster?

For Matt Grubs, rookie Justin Medaglia homered and drove in six for you. What are your thoughts on the young slugger?

Good work from your bullpen today. What have thought of the unit this year?

Jose Quesada's really struggled since coming off the IL. Should he stay in the rotation?


TRIVIA: What pitcher has the most strikeouts in Philadelphia Phillies history?

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Ben correctly guessed Bryce Harper

[brewersgm]

Oct 22, 2024 19:35:50 GMT -5 Commissioner Erick said:

Questions for the GMs:


For Luke Grimmelbein, Kenny McMahon wasn't sharp but tried to suck up some innings. Would you have preferred to see him simply pulled early ,left in even longer since the game was a loss, or what your manager bot did by pulling him after 2 innings?

Rodolfo Rivera pinch hit for Grant Stein in the ninth. Did you care for the decision?

Wilfried Baan walked, stole a base, and scored a run. What have you thought of the youngster?

1. I wouldn't have minded if he stayed in a little longer. Kenny didn't have it today but he was only at 55 pitches and the game was already out of hand. Luckily Sergio Parra was able to come in and soak up a few innings for us.

2. At that point in the game why not. It 12-5 anyway. Get Rodolfo Rivera more career games played as a Brewer.

3. Wilfried was great for the Sky Sox last year and with roster spots opening up we knew he would get a look on the ML roster. He's been great. He's the best dual South African and Belgian player in the PBA. Solid defense in CF and has been hitting the ball hard for extra bases. I think he might be one of the only guys we have providing positive baserunning value.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Matt correctly guessed AJ Masucci