Game 1 Review

The Score:
Milwaukee Brewers 4 Chicago Cubs 3

Players of the Game:
Kosuke Fukudome: 3/3; BB, 2B, HR and 3 RBIs
Tony Gwynn Jr: 2/3; SF, Sac Bunt, Sliding Catch, SB

Game Recap:
In what was seriously the most annoying Opening Day game that I can remember, the game started off with a 40 minute rain delay that should have been avoided by the indecisive Wrigley Field grounds Crew. Nevertheless, the game started off slow... really slow, even though both Sheets and Zambrano were absolutely ridiculous out there. For two and a half innings, the Brewers and Cubs had combined for two hits and two walks, before another rain delay. When they returned, they finished the third and went on to duel for another three innings until some disappointing action began.

At the time, Gameday Audio for MLB.com decided it didn't have enough bandwidth to stream the game, leaving me to ESPN.com play by plays, but looking at the text just makes me sick. Bill Hall ripped a one out double off the wall in left. After one pick-off move and a 2-2 count, Zambrano picked off Billy Hall at 2nd base. Are you kidding me Billy?! Not only do you get an out, you save Zambrano at least four more pitches, when he's pitching absolutely unconscious. You're lucky Zambrano cramped up right after that because heads were gonna role.

The bottom half of the inning was just as mind boggling. Ben Sheets cam out with about 92 pitches, which is fine. After what sounded like some pretty wild pitching, Sheets got past Aramis Ramierez with a harmless fly out, putting him at 98 pitches with Kosuke Fukudome up. Now, it didn't hurt the Brewers, but as it was happening, I was doing my best not to scream at the computer to put Brian Shouse in. At this point, Fukudome had walked and doubled off the wall on Sheets, and now Sheeter is missing over the plate. The first pitch was a solid groundball up the middle, putting a runner in a close game. And like Ned always does, he waited until the damage is done and puts in Salomon Torres, who promptly plunks Mark DeRosa.

It seemed like Torres really couldn't control his fastball, and things were looking a little bleak. Enter Jason Kendall and maybe respect from Brewers; fans who saw him get on once and sac over Craig Counsell to third base later in the game. The biggest thing he did though was pick off Fukudome as he leaned off of third base. Soto walked during this AB, but the throw out saved Torres from a 1 out bases loaded jam. Instead he induced a ground out to finish a very exciting 7th.

Marmol and Mota mowed down the batters in the 8th leading to the most worrisome inning on a global level for Crew Fans. Rickie Weeks was plunked by Ryan Dempster to open the inning and was immediately bunted over on a two strike sacrifice by Tony Gwynn Jr. After an intentional walk to Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun promptly singled Rickie in with a solid line drive base hit. Corey Hart followed with a two run double to the right field corner, for a 3-0 lead. And then $10 million happened. Eric Gagne gave up a single and a walk to Derek Lee and Aramis Ramiez before Japan happened. A 3-Run Homerun by Kosuke Fukudome tied the game up at three and the Cubs still had three outs left. Thankfully Gagne realized the pressure was off and finished the inning without giving up another run.

Of all people to come through for the Brewers int the 10th inning, it was Craig Counsell who smashed a double to open the tenth against poor Bob Howry. An sac bunt by Kendall moved him to third and a sac fly by Tony Gwynn Jr. made the game 4-3 after Weeks was hit by yet another pitch. A solid 1-2-3 tenth from David Riske finished a 4-3 victory.

The Game Changing Play:
Regardless of whether or not it led to the win, Rickie Weeks getting plunked to start the 9th really had an impact on getting the Brewers started. Rickie really didn't have a choice on the matter, but pushing him to second on the bunt, an intentional walk and two straight hits pushed the Brewers over the top, even if Gagne exploded in his first game. Kendall catching Fukudome off second is a close second.


Predictions Good:
So far so good. The Brewers struggled awfully with poor ABs against Carlos Z and Carlos Marmol, but they managed to smoke Wood and Bob Howry. The Brewers were most productive when Rickie Weeks got on to the base pads and the Cubs Fukudome was the only superstar for the Cubbies today. At this point I hope I'm wrong on the series record. After taking the first of three, you always have to expect winning the series.

What's on tap?:
This Wednesday Jeff Suppan takes on lefty Ted Lilly who struggles mightily against the Brewers. If Soup can get his groundballs he will be quite effective, but I think the Cubs won't slump for very long. Lilly's bad luck against the Brewers can't last forever, but how about for Wedneday? That's 1 out of 162.

Brief Analysis tomorrow. Let's go Crew!