Brewers: week 1

As it turned out the Brewers won the game but at the time I don't know how meaningless that home run was. That made it a one run game if I remember correctly.

Having said that, I think Mota has been OK so far as the rest of the bullpen has.  It's way to early in the season to be putting guys in certain roles or guessing how things will play out based on a couple innings pitched.

God, Marlow, get your act together before posting.

I'm not real sure why we're comparing Turnbow and Mota. Turnbow's not going anywhere.

ballinglove1, I'm assuming you saw the game on Saturday where Mota was brought in to set up Gagne, not Turnbow.  Derrick is a really good pitcher....if he throws strikes.  There was absolutely nothing wrong with what Mota did on Saturday - he threw strikes.  Sure, Durham hit a first pitch fastball out, but in that situation, you have to "tip your cap".  At least he was on the attack, very unlike Turnbow from time to time. 

I really don't think any particular of Riske, Mota, Torres, and Turnbow is ahead of any other right now - but I can guarantee you that none of them are going anywhere.  They are, however, going to send a starter to the minors because they got burned on that last year - Villanueva should've been starting in the minors instead of in the pen last year.  If he had been, the Brewers probably would've won the division (and I realize the job he did in the bullpen).  In my opinion, one starter - Bush, Villanueva, or Parra - will go to the minors.  We'll see how it plays out.

The other interesting thing to watch will be how CF plays out - one of them (Gross, Gwynn, and Kapler) will be either in AAA or released in 19 games - and right now none of them deserve to go.

Nice post, and thanks for posting it here.  I don't usually go through and read blogs.  Anyways, a couple things to comment on.

I don't care where his average is at if he keeps his OBP at .379 and continues to score runs at the pace his is (7 runs in 6 games).  Of course the hits would be great, but he's not in the lineup to produce RBI's, he just there to get on base and swipe a bag or two.

My prediction: with Gallardo's return, Mota is gone, Bush to the bullpen. With Cameron's return, Gabe Gross is outta here.

Whoa!  I think you might be way off on this one.  Why Mota?  He was our best bullpen arm in the spring and has continued to pitch well in his only 2 IP this season.  Bush, Villanueva and Parra all have options left.  The would doubt that the Brewers will just be getting rid of any more arms this season.  Right now, Bush is the only arm on this staff that has pitched poorly; except for Gagne's first inning.  Unless he comes back with a couple of gems (or if someone gets injured) between now and the time Gallardo comes back, there should be no reason for him to take anybody elses spot. 

Basically, it's too early to tell yet what we're gonna do.  I like the young rotation, but I can be realistic and know that at least one of these guys is gonna run outta gas in August or September if we expect nearly 200 innings out of them.  If Bush doesn't stay in the rotation, which I still think he will, he needs to be somewhere where he is still getting the ball every 5th day because we know that we are gonna need him down the stretch.  Each of these guys still has 3 or 4 starts left before Gallardo comes back.  Let's bring this topic back up after at least 2 of those.

And you're right about Gross.  There are a lot of teams looking at making him an everyday OF and the Brewers have no intention on ever giving him that opportunity.  With Braun, Cameron, Hart, Gwynn and Kapler this season, and LaPorta penciled in somewhere on this roster opening day 2009, Gabe's just got no place to go with this club.  I would imagine that Melvin is already putting out feelers to see who's gonna be the highest bidder for a left handed power bat in their OF.

Here's an intriging thought I just had reading your posts (Sorry ballinglove, I also don't read blogs, but I enjoy your posts)...  I'm pondering whether they send Parra down to the Minors, to keep his pitch count low.  Think about it, they did that last year with Gallardo, and they are really trying this year to conserve our arms (hence picking up veteran power relievers).  I'm not saying it's a for sure thing, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen.  Otherwise, I'm thinking Bush or Villanueva in AAA (but I think Parra would be a better bet, although it would remove a lefty from our lineup).

It's a tough call, and one I wouldn't want to make.

I like our approach this year, and I think Rickie is doing exactly what we want him to do...  Get on base, no matter how you get on.

I agree 100%.  All I am saying is that when Gallardo comes back, whoever is pitching the worst of the 3 we are talking about will likely find themselves starting games in Nashville; no matter who it is. 

This bullpen isn't really in need of a long relief guy.  The bullpen is full of guys who can pitch 2 or more innings on any given day.