In my notes yesterday I mentioned that the Brewers had 4 runs on 8 hits and none of them were for extra bases. Well I wanted to point out something else. The Brewers reached base 13 times in 33 plate appearances yielding a .393 OBP, which is perfect in my book. If you looked at Saturday they went 11/34 for a .323 and a loss. (16/41 on Friday for a .390 and a big loss, but they ended up giving up 11 runs)
It's not exactly an eye opening trend because people know it to be true, but the more people you get on base, the more runs you score. But think about it for a second; The Brewers only scored 4 runs with 8 hits, but their big inning came with a HBP, two walks, two singles and quality baserunning. Three free rides and no extra base hits lead to the same amount of runs as big hits, but they're a lot easier to come by, so keep getting those walks guys.
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Kent Summerfeld did some play by play yesterday and before that he was dropping some sabermetric nuggets on Anderson and Shroeder. Mr. Summerfeld, who I think is usually spinning dials in the truck, pointed out the Brewer struggles on the road last year and threw in that the trend continues this spring...they are 0-3 so far. But, he also mellowed the thought with the it being only spring training. He pointed out the tough west coast swings in San Diego and San Francisco which are predominately pitchers parks and a challenge to a home run hitting team...So, then Shroeder jumps into the conversation and talks about scoring runs a variety of ways...with Cameron, Weeks, and Hart running more, Brewers will try to manufacture one run at a time...Then there's Kendall apparently batting 9th as a sort of 2nd lead-off hitter with the appropriate adjustments at the top of the order.
I hope Yost applies different strategies at different times depending on the situation and variables....rather than using the same blue print for managing regardless of the situation. I am not really sure whether Yost adapted to situations or stuck to a predetermined Yost plan last year. I would be interested in your impressions.
The other interesting dialogue yesterday was about Japanese players. Shroeder was quick to defend catchers...pointing out that very few, if any, American catchers make the jump to the Japanese league....Goes to show how significant the catching position is. It requires being fully present and communicative......unlike say, left field where a player can get by with a little more day dreaming.
And the other interesting point by Shroeder was originally raised by Anderson while he was marvelling at the speed at which the Padres pitcher..."Bass" was working. He comparred his speed to Oswalt. Shroeder mentioned the likelihood that umpires give quick workers a strike call on a border line pitch and speculated that the defense is less error prone.
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