Dave 'Big Inning' Bush

Well, for a guy trying to find a spot in the rotation, Dave Bush sure knows how to tell fans that he plans on being the exact same pitcher as last year. In his first inning of action today, Bush gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He then followed it up by retiring 11 straight before getting pulled after the 4th inning. On an up note, he did walk and single with an RBI and a run, but this outing and his last two outings say something about Dave Bush: And that is, he's not really that consistent. He either has a mental breakdown every game or he just doesn't have the stuff to be a starting pitcher. The thing that always scared me about Bush is that his big inning often comes earlier in his pitch count, bearing his questionable value as a reliever, who only gets that one inning.

But honestly, Dave, where's the improvement? It's times like this where I wonder why the Brewers don't just demote Dave Bush and Capuano to make a point. They'd be two of the highest paid minor leaguers out there, but this is the big leagues damnit. Performance matters and if you decide to slack or quit on your mechanics for one inning every game, you'll never be anything, but a below average #4 pitcher.

On a much happier note, I just want to say congrats to Doug Melvin for somehow realizing that Gabe Kapler still has what it takes to play professional ball. He has been stellar all spring so far with a .368 average and some quality defense. I was pretty skeptical at first, but it appears he did it again, so his only blemish is still Craig Counsell. It can also be noted that Alcides Escobar is 2 for 3 today with two singles. If he can get his bat going a bit, there's some more money this team can save in two years to keep Hart, Weeks, Braun and Fielder.

Oh and I sent an e-mail yesterday to Adam McCalvey at the Brewers official website about Luis Pena, who has been pretty much flawless all spring, but received no response from him in the mailbag. I would like every on to implore Adam about this guy and see if we can get any information about his projections as far as his spot in a future bullpen and how far away he is. My guess is only one more year and I have him projected as a closer, but I haven't gotten to see too much of him yet. Could be fun to see him hear next year after we lose Gagne.