Yardbarker: Craig Counsell

If you've given up on the 2008 Brewers, do not read this

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:37:59 -0500

I've recently been taking a lot of criticism from one of the posters on our message boards. If I've written about it, he's bashed it. The latest hatred that he's spewing is my lack on thoughts and comments on this current week of baseball since my last post talked about the biggest baseball series that I've ever attended. So you want my reaction to Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS, MTJ? Well, here you go.

Game 161 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (3 of 3)

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:13:25 -0500

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP	Angel Guzman	SP	*C.C. Sabathia
	0-0, 7.04, 6 K, 4 BB, 7.2 IP	(NL)	10-2, 1.78, 121 K, 24 BB, 121.2 IP
A	A	A	A
LF	Alfonso Soirano	CF	Mike Cameron
SS	Ryan Theriot	2B	#Ray Durham
1B	Derrek Lee	LF	Ryan Braun
3B	Aramis Ramirez	1B	*Prince Fielder
CF	Reed Johnson	SS	J.J. Hardy
RF	*Micah Hoffpauir	RF	Corey Hart
2B	Ronny Cedeno	3B	*Craig Counsell
C	Henry Blanco	C	Jason Kendall
P	Angel Guzman	P	*C.C. Sabathia

First, Paul Sullivan writes that despite his recent trevails (5.40 ERA in September), Jeff Samardzija has made the post-season roster and that Chad Gaudin will likely be a spectator.

As for today's game, Mark DeRosa (calf strain) was hoping to get in a few swings so he didn't have to go into the playoffs cold. Alas, he is not in the starting lineup. Geovany Soto (sore hand) is also sitting.

The Brewers begin play tied with the Mutts for the Wild Card, with a one-game tiebreaker tomorrow at Shea in the teams' futures if things don't get settled today. (As I post this, the Marlins and Mets are waiting out a rain delay at Shea.)

"It's not going to matter because, well, it is going to matter but it's not going to matter,"

Translated into English, it means that Lou Piniella decided that Carlos Zambrano would not pitch the first inning or two of today's regular season finale at Milwaukee and Angel Guzman will.

Translated into Sullivanese...

...what Piniella was trying to say was that whoever his starter was, he was only planning on pitching him an inning or two anyway, having decided already that Sunday will be a "bullpen day" when almost everyone on the playoff roster will get one final chance to throw before Game 1 on Wednesday. Guzman makes his eighth career start as a Cub, his first since in 2007.

(According to cubs.com, Zambrano, the scheduled Game 2 starter in the NLDS, would actually prefer "to throw on the side Sunday, then have a bullpen session Monday at Wrigley Field.")

Soon-to-be free agent Sabathia makes his 17th and most likely last regular season start as a Brewer. Though his NL numbers are sparkling, and the Brewers wouldn't even be within sniffing distance of a post-season spot within him, Sabathia has been entirely mortal in his two starts against the Cubs: 13.2 IP, 18 H, and 7 ER, plus a loss and an ND.

Guzman has appeared in five games for the Cubs, all losses. One of the appearances was against the Brewers at Wrigley,in which he hit Ryan Braun before yielding consecutive hits to Fielder (single), Hardy (double), and Hart (single).

Game 159 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (1 of 3)

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:51:17 -0500

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP	Ryan Dempster	SP	Jeff Suppan
	17-6, 2.99, 183 K, 75 BB, 201.2 IP		10-10, 5.06, 85 K, 66 BB, 172.2 IP

LF	Alfonso Soriano	CF	Mike Cameron
2B	*Mike Fontenot	2B	*Ray Durham
1B	Derrek Lee	LF	Ryan Braun
3B	Aramis Ramirez	1B	*Prince Fielder
RF	*Micah Hoffpauir	SS	J.J. Hardy
C	Geovany Soto	RF	Corey Hart
CF	*Jim Edmonds	3B	*Craig Counsell
SS	Ryan Theriot	C	Jason Kendall
P	Ryan Dempster	P	Jeff Suppan

The Cubs continue their Spoiler Tour 2008 and will do their best to knock out their division rivals. The only thing that probably really matters for the Cubs is that the races are still undecided on Sunday as the Phils, Brewers and Mets have their aces scheduled. Meaning if they have to use them, they won't be able to go again until Game 2 at the earliest and possibly not until Game 3 of the NLDS. Of course if the Brewers end up winning the wild card, none of that will matter to the Cubs either as they'll see the Dodgers and Derek Lowe in Game 1.

As for personal goals, Dempster goes for win number 18 and will try to keep his ERA under three for the season and Geovany Soto is looking to match or pass up Billy Williams Cubs rookie record of 25 home runs - Soto is at 23.

Craig Counsell Seems Like a Guy Who Enjoys Environmental Science, Goosebumps Books

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:11:58 -0500

Craig Counsell Seems Like a Guy Who Enjoys Environmental Science, Goosebumps Books

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:11:58 -0500

Game 151 Thread / Brewers @ Cubs (3 of 3)

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:29:12 -0500

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP	David Bush	SP	Rich Harden
	9-10, 4.24, 103 K, 42 BB, 172 IP	(NL)	5-1, 1.65, 78 K, 19 BB, 60 IP

CF	Mike Cameron	LF	Alfonso Soriano
2B	#Ray Durham	SS	Ryan Theriot
3B	Ryan Braun	1B	Derrek Lee
1B	*Prince Fielder	3B	Aramis Ramirez
SS	J.J Hardy	CF	*Jim Edmonds
RF	Corey Hart	2B	Mark DeRosa
3B	*Craig Counsell	C	Geovany Soto
C	Jason Kendall	RF	*Kosuke Fukudome
P	David Bush	P	*Rich Harden

I sat through last night's loss at Wrigley, which I could have done without. On the other hand, I may have the distinction of having seen Ben Sheets's last-ever appearance for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Today's starters, Bush and Harden, matched up during that fateful series in Milwaukee at the end of July. The Cubs won that game, 11-4, and Bush (1-7, 5.16 lifetime against the Cubs) allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings. Harden fanned nine and allowed just one run in his only career appearance against the Brewers. Overall, the Cubs have won 8 of the 10 games he has started since coming over from Oakland.

On the subject of magic numbers and division-clinching, Barry Rozner of the Daily Herald points out that if the Cubs clinch the NL Central on Friday, the clinching wouldn''t be official until the Brewers play at night in Cincinnati, long after the Cubs/Cardinals matinee is over. Same thing could happen on Saturday. In other words, there might be no in-Wrigley celebration for the players or the Cub faithful this weekend.

A few players we talked to Wednesday came up with some other ideas.

First of all, they're certain the team leaders, Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, will organize a group outing to a restaurant or bar where the club can watch in private, and, if necessary, douse each other with cheap, sticky, smelly beverages that never fully leave your clothes.

I wish Rozner's sources had been a little more specific about the possible site of this player party. I'm thinking I'll just camp out at the TGI Friday's I know of in Oak Brook and cross my fingers.

Game 150 Thread / Brewers @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:19:02 -0500

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP	Ben Sheets	SP	Jason Marquis
	13-8, 2.97, 155 K, 45 BB, 194 IP		10-8, 4.36, 84 K, 60 BB, 154.2 IP

CF	Mike Cameron	LF	Alfonso Soriano
2B	#Ray Durham	2B	*Mike Fontenot
3B	Ryan Braun	1B	Derrek Lee
1B	*Prince Fielder	3B	Aramis Ramirez
SS	J.J Hardy	CF	*Jim Edmonds
RF	Corey Hart	RF	Mark DeRosa
3B	*Craig Counsell	C	Geovany Soto
C	Jason Kendall	SS	Ryan Theriot
P	Ben Sheets	P	*Jason Marquis

The Marlins took care of business for the Cubs, so it means a Cubs sweep will clinch the division. Tonight is the win they'll have to steal with Marquis on the mound against Ben Sheets.

Looking Ahead at the 2009 Free Agent Market!

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:17:46 -0500

Now with some glaring holes going into next year. The Mets will have a new ballpark but they also will have to replace some parts.

Obviously the bullpen is a mess starting with Billy Wagner.

The second base position can be resolved with a veteran and that means that Castillo will be traded for a bag of balls.

The starting rotation is also very interesting thing to look at with Oliver Perez (who is only 27)who is going to be a free agent and has Scott Boris as a agent.

The Mets will have Pedro Martinez coming off the books. As well as Moises Alou, who has been a disappointment because he never plays.

Here are the 2009 Free Agents from those positions mentioned:

Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Geoff Blum (36) - club option for '09
Jamey Carroll (35) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Ellis (32)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Nick Punto (31)

Starting pitchers
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Kyle Lohse (30)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33) - club option for '09
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Kerry Wood (32)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Jon Lieber (39)
Jason Johnson (35)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Arthur Rhodes (39)
Juan Rincon (30)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

Inside The Box August 13th Edition

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:22:42 -0500

Today's look shows a player in the wrong era, a player in the wrong spot in the order and a player who may or may not have scored points from the wrong sport. And lots more.

Brewers wilt in the heat

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:29:15 -0500

The Brewers came up short in Atlanta on Sunday in their attempt to sweep the Braves. Although Ben Sheets notched another quality start, he was on the losing end of the 5-0 game. It was Sheets' fifth loss of the season and the Brewers first loss on the road since July 3rd in Arizona.

MVPs Of The Day July 13th

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:06:33 -0500

These are the MVPs of the day in no particular order -SP Mike Pelfrey: pitched 8 innings of shutout ball that led the Mets to there 9th straight wins -SP CC Sabathia: pithed a complete game and hit a homer in a Brewers 3-2 win in the 9th -OF Che-Hsuan Lin: minor league prospect went 2 for 2 with a homerun and was named MVP of the Futures Game -IF Craig Counsell: walkoff sac fly in the 9th to get Sabathias second win as a Brewer -SP Daisuke Matsuzaka: had 6 shutout innings and 10k against the Orioles to get the Redsoxs the division lead

Brewers take game, series from Astros

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:38:04 -0500

For years the Houston Astros were famous for their Killer B's of Bagwell, Biggio and Berkman. On Sunday afternoon, the Brewers found their own B's to pull out another victory: Bush, Braun and the bench. Dave Bush went seven innings for the second time this season and he did it in consecutive starts. Early on it looked like it could be a typical Dave Bush start. He gave up a home run in the first inning to former Brewers player, Mark Loretta. Bush stayed composed and got through the first without any further damage. In fact, Bush only gave up four hits and that lone run in his seven innings. He struck out five and most importantly walked no one.

Brewers take a gift from the Baby Bears

Thu, 01 May 2008 17:11:56 -0500

Before I get to the game today, I have to thank Cubs' fans for again displaying no class and showing why no one outside of Chicago likes you people. In the bottom of the sixth on a ball hit to Ryan Braun in left field, Cubs' "fans" threw food and drinks in Braun's direction while he was making a throw into the infield. Typical Wrigley Field drunks, I guess. You are a classless bunch with no respect for the game or players. You sit in the bleachers for one think, to get drunk. It's people like you that make it so enjoyable when the Cubs choke every year.

Gallardo dominates but Gagne blows the victory

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:43:59 -0500

Yovani Gallardo made his 2008 debut for the Brewers on Sunday and picked up right where he left off in 2007. Gallardo faced the Reds on Sunday and went seven innings and struck out four batters while only giving up four hits including a solo home run to Edwin Encarnacion which was the only run Gallardo allowed all day. Gallardo looked solid all day. He walked Corey Patterson to start the game, but he immediately settled down and appeared to be in mid-season form.

Brewers top the Reds and Sheets leaves early

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:42:07 -0500

The Brewers topped the Reds 5-2 on Friday night. Once again Ben Sheets stole the spotlight although it was due to more than his pitching. Sheets tossed five shutout innings while only giving up two hits. As Sheets left the gave after the fifth, he motioned that there was something wrong with his arm. Sheets experienced tightness in his right triceps after throwing only 60 pitches on the night. The team said after that the move was precautionary, but Sheets said that he has been experiencing the soreness since his last start in New York. So the yearly Ben Sheets watch is now on. We will have to wait and see where things go from here, but this feels a lot like the last three years. I just hope I'm wrong.