Hard to ignore the job that Milwaukee Brewers have done so far in September.
After all, a team that goes 15-3, posts an MLB-leading 2.81 ERA and a batting average of .202 is pretty impressive. Give the credit to Manager Craig Counsell for managing that pitching staff accordingly.
All this, mind you, with reigning MVP Christian Yelich on the shelf with an injury.
But pump the breaks a little as well. As of Sept. 1, teams again expanded their rosters from 25 to 40. That bumped up the Brewer staff to 20 -- plus Injured List players Corey Knebel and Bobby Wahl. This on the heels of the trade deadline moving UP from Aug. 31 to July 31.
This won't happen next year. Then, MLB will only expand rosters to 28. While that's the case, I think the baseball powers-that-be will adjust that trade deadline. This year, teams were left handcuffed by the early deadline, a terrible decision.
As I write this, the Brewers are in Cincinnati following their first off-day in 18 games. The club has three games with the Reds, then heads to Colorado to finish the season with three against the Rockies. Milwaukee currently trails Washington by a half-game for the top Wild Card playoff spot, and the Central Division-leading St. Louis Cardinals by three and a half.
The Cardinals have two more games in Arizona following a 9-7 win Monday over the D-Backs. St. Louis will then host Chicago's Cubs to finish the year with three games.
Washington, meanwhile, has five games against Philadelphia, including a double-header today (the Phillies still have an out-side shot at the playoffs) and the Cleveland Indians (also chasing that second Wild Card spot in the AL).
I don't think the Brewers can run down St. Louis. But, stranger things have happened. As it is, I do see the Crew grabbing that home field in the Wild Card game, which plays well for Counsell's pitching staff.
No comments:
Post a Comment