Some things to read while you’re on duty.
The Brewers picked up an impromptu off day on Monday when the Philadelphia Phillies opted to delay their home opener by a day. One can only assume they all took the opportunity to take in Philadelphia’s rich history, like Jim Henderson did by visiting the Liberty Bell. Actually, some of them probably spent the day making Will Smith jokes like @JaymesL did.
Today, however, it’s back to baseball. Kyle Lohse will take on Kyle Kendrick in the series opener at 3:05 p.m., and @AndrewGruman notes that the rescheduled game will still be televised on FS Wisconsin. With yesterday’s threat of rain out of the way, the forecast for the rest of the week in Philadelphia looks pretty good. Expect high temperatures in the 60s for each of the next three days, but the wind could be a factor: It’s expected to be around 18 mph and blowing from left to right at game time.
Lohse has a tough act to follow today, as Brewers starting pitchers have been on a bit of a roll to start the season. Tom Haudricourt has a look at the events that have led to the rotation posting a 1.65 ERA through six games.
Yovani Gallardo was the latest Brewer to pitch a quality start, working 6 2/3 scoreless innings on Sunday against the Red Sox. He’s gone 12 2/3 frames without allowing a run this season, and Fred Hofstetter of Brew Crew Ball asks if his early performance is for real. Meanwhile, Ryan Topp of Disciples of Uecker says Gallardo eating innings is one of four things that need to happen for the Brewers to remain competitive in 2014.
The Brewers also got significant contributions over the weekend from Khris Davis, who had eight hits in the Boston series and now leads the NL with four doubles. Adam McCalvy has a look at his recent power surge.
Logan Schafer also picked up some recent playing time in place of Ryan Braun and had a pair of doubles on Sunday. Neil Weinberg of Beyond the Box Score notes that Schafer was one of just four players to drop down a sacrifice bunt with the bases loaded last season.
The Brewers bullpen has a 1.02 ERA through their first 17 2/3 innings, recording 20 strikeouts and just four walks. Tyler Thornburg and Will Smith have accounted for almost half of those innings, and Curt Hogg of Disciples of Uecker has a look at how their skill sets fit into their roles.
In the minors:
- The affiliates went 2-1 on Monday, and Tyrone Taylor had a big day, collecting three doubles in Brevard County’s 5-4 win over Daytona. Miller Park Prospects has quick recaps of all of yesterday’s action.
- Huntsville also picked up a win yesterday, its fourth in a row.
- Nashville broadcaster Jeff Hem has an interview with Sounds manager Rick Sweet.
- Wisconsin opens a series in West Michigan today, the Whitecaps’ first home game since a fire at their stadium last fall. Hardball Talk has a 30 second video of the park’s reconstruction.
If you’d like more Brewers coverage today but you’re sick of reading, my Monday appearance on The Talking Cheeseheads has been archived and can be heard here. We talked about the Brewers’ big weekend in Boston and the long-term ramifications and uncertainty regarding Ryan Braun’s thumb.
Around baseball:
Astros: Placed pitcher Matt Albers on the paternity list.
Marlins: Signed pitcher Micah Owings to a minor league deal.
Orioles: Acquired pitcher Preston Guilmet from the Indians for a minor leaguer.
Rangers: Placed pitcher Joe Saunders on the DL with a bruised foot.
Red Sox: Signed infielder Ryan Roberts to a minor league deal.
Reds: Signed infielder Chris Nelson to a minor league deal.
Royals: Placed reliever Tim Collins on the DL with an elbow flexor strain.
Twins: Acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez from the Yankees for a minor league pitcher and placed infielder Jason Bartlett on the DL with a sprained ankle.
White Sox: Signed pitcher Tommy Hanson to a minor league deal.
Yankees: Placed reliever David Robertson on the DL with a groin strain.
Let’s go around the NL Central:
- The Cardinals got a three-run double from Yadier Molina in the first inning and rode that momentum to a 5-3 win over the Reds on Monday. Michael Wacha allowed a single run over six innings for his first win of the season.
- The Brewers, Pirates and Cubs were off Monday.
| Team | W | L | GB | Today | Matchup |
| Brewers | 4 | 2 | — | @ Phillies, 3:05 pm | Kyle Lohse vs Kyle Kendrick |
| Pirates | 4 | 2 | — | @ Cubs, 7:05 pm | Charlie Morton vs Edwin Jackson |
| Cardinals | 4 | 3 | .5 | vs Reds, 7:15 pm | Lance Lynn vs Homer Bailey |
| Cubs | 2 | 4 | 2 | vs Pirates, 7:05 pm | Edwin Jackson vs Charlie Morton |
| Reds | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | @ Cardinals, 7:15 pm | Homer Bailey vs Lance Lynn |
Today in former Brewers:
- Casey McGehee has five extra base hits and 10 RBIs in his first seven games with the Marlins, and Travis Honeycutt of Call to the Pen is asking if his early numbers are for real.
- Meanwhile, CC Sabathia leads all AL pitchers with 10 earned runs allowed in his first two starts. Marc Normandin of SBNation.com says one of the things we’ve learned in the season’s first week is that Sabathia’s dominant days are over.
- Jose Veras has allowed three runs and six walks in his first 1 2/3 innings with the Cubs, and View From The Bleachers is already calling for him to be removed from the closer role.
Finally, with help from the Baseball Reference Play Index, we’d like to wish a happy birthday today to 2003 Brewer Matt Ford. He turns 33.
Today is also the 45th anniversary of the the first game in Seattle Pilots franchise history, a 4-3 win over the California Angels; the 36th anniversary of outfielder Ben Oglivie’s Brewer debut; and the fifth anniversary of Yovani Gallardo homering off 300-game winner Randy Johnson, the only home run Johnson ever allowed to a pitcher. I covered those events in Today In Brewer History at Brew Crew Ball last year, two years ago and three years ago, respectively.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I forgot Joe Girardi.
Drink up.
Don’t forget to follow Kyle on Twitter @BrewFrostyMug, and check out and “like” the Mug’s new Facebook page. The Frosty Mug runs mornings Monday-Friday and is brought to you by Legends of the Field, a sports memorablila company you can trust.
