2-yr anniversary of Brewers acquiring CC

this post is courtesy of mlbtraderumors.com

This Date In Transactions History: C.C. Sabathia

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 7 at 11:25am CST]

This year's trade deadline is all about Cliff Lee and last year's deadline was all about Lee and Roy Halladay, but the star pitcher of the 2008 trade deadline was dealt long before July 31st. Two years ago today, the Indians sent C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers for Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, Matt LaPorta and a player to be named (eventually Michael Brantley).

C.C. pitched well - probably even better than the Brewers could have imagined. He made 17 starts, finishing seven of them, and ended up with an 11-2 mark and a 1.65 ERA. Remarkably, Sabathia led both leagues in shutouts in 2008 and pitched the Brewers to their first postseason appearance since 1982. The eventual World Series champion Phillies ousted the Brewers in four games and Sabathia didn't pitch well in his lone playoff start, but the Brewers would not have made the postseason without their ace.

The Brewers also received two compensation picks for losing Sabathia to free agency after offering arbitration. Last year they used those picks to select Kentrail Davis (ranked 6th among Brewers prospects by Baseball America preseason) and Maxwell Walla (ranked 28th).

The Brewers weren't the only ones to add young talent, though. LaPorta, the centerpiece of the deal, hasn't had a great deal of major league success until recently. His overall season line (.242/.315/.376) is pedestrian, but the 25-year-old has homered four times in his last seven games. Bryson, 22, has posted 17.0 K/9 in high A ball this year and Brantley, who entered the season as the Indians' 6th best prospect, has a .391 OBP at Triple A.

As I suggested one year after this trade was completed, some deals benefit both teams. The Brewers ended up making the playoffs and obtaining draft choices, but the Indians added more talent than they would have obtained with a pair of top picks

NFL 2010 Primetime game predictions

In looking at the 2010 NFL opponents (actual schedule comes out Tuesday, April 20th at 6pm CDT), a bunch of huge matchups jumped out at me. At first, I wanted to try to predict each of the 16 Monday Night games (there is no Monday night game on Week 17). However, NBC also fights for rights to big games and I believe the conference networks (FOX & CBS) get to fight for big games too. So, trying to predict the Monday night games would be mostly impossible without knowing which network gets dibs, etc. In any event, here are my predictions for games that will be nationally televised...

-- NFC ONLY GAMES --

Minnesota at Green Bay ~ Last year, Minnesota got to host the nationally televised game on MNF (the schedule came out before Favre joined the Vikes). This year, this game will be at Lambeau (either SNF-NBC or MNF-ESPN).

Minnesota at NYJ ~ Assuming Favre returns for yet another season (wouldn't we all be lucky if that happens??? barf.), Favre's return to NY, along with the opening of the new Jet's stadium would both be huge reasons for this game to be a national game.

Dallas at NYG ~ The Giants open the same new stadium (along with the Jets) and what better way to do so than against the reigning NFC East Champ (and long-time rival) Cowboys!

NYG at GB ~ A rematch of the 2008 NFC Championship Game on the frozen tundra!

Seattle vs. Arizona (either location) ~ The Seahawks will have a lot of hype with Pete Carroll returning to the NFL and with Seattle having 3 of the first 15 picks in this coming draft. What better way to showcase Carroll and the Seahawks on national TV than vs. the reigning division champ.

Minnesota at New Orleans ~ Rematch of the 2010 NFC Championship game!

Atlanta at Philly ~ Philly did make the playoffs, although it hardly seems like it now after two straight stinkers vs. the Cowboys. But, at one point, they were considered by many to be the hottest team in the NFL. Meanwhile, Atlanta is coming off their first consecutive back-to-back winning seasons in the franchises' 44-yr history! Additionally, this could be Mike Vick's first game against his former Dirty Birds (assuming he doesn't get traded during the offseason to a team wanting to make him their starting QB. Yeah right!).

New Orleans at Dallas ~ A matchup of two NFC playoff teams from this past year. Last year Dallas gave the Saints there first loss in New Orleans after they started 13-0. This year the rematch is at Jerry's World. Expect a rollcoaster of a game, along with some fireworks towards the end of the night!

Washington at Chicago ~ Each of these teams are mediocre, but have huge fan bases, so giving them at least 1 primetime game makes sense. So, here's to killing two birds with one stone! And oh yeah, it's Mike Shannahan (the Redskins new coach) against Jay Cutler (Shannahan's former QB in Denver, you know, when he was actually half-way decent).

Washington at Philly ~ Donovan McNabb returns to Lincoln Financial Field. Philly fans boo'ed Santa Clause once, I wonder what kind of reception McNabb will get?

-- AFC GAMES --

Indy vs. Tennessee (either location) ~ The Titans really rallied at the end of last year going 8-2 after their bye week (after starting 0-6). Additionally, AP offensive player of the year Chris Johnson is dynamite, setting the all-time NFL record with 2,509 yeads from scrimmage in 2009. Lastly, this will be the first chance that the schedule makers can put this matchup on national TV since Jeff Fisher got hammered for wearing a Peyton Manning jersey at a fundraiser (he was there with former Colts' coach Tony Dungy). Seriously people! It was a fundraiser! Anyway, fast-finishing Titans vs. division-champion Colts... Fisher's Manning jersey... Chris Johnson... sounds like a great matchup worthly of national TV to me!

Cleveland vs. Cincy (either location) ~ The Bengals are coming off only their 2nd playoff appearance since 1991 and the Browns are coming off a 4-game winning streak. Additionally, Cleveland just hired legendary Mike Holmgren (aka The Big Show) to run it's football operations. Here's guessing the network execs pick up this battle for Ohio while the iron is hot (meaning, while both teams actually have a little bit of juice at the same time). Here's also guessing that this game is early to middle of the season, in case both teams fizzle down the stretch, thus making it a dud.

Indy at New England ~ Ok, this is a no-brainer. As long as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are on the same field at the same time... it's going to be special and have lots of hype!

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore (either location) ~ This is quite arguably the best rivalry in football at the moment! This will be hard-hitting. These 2 teams hate each other. Too bad couches don't have seatbelts. Good thing 3D TV isn't here yet to scare the living daylights out of us with with this one.

Denver vs. San Diego (either location, but probably at Mile High) ~ I'm picking this game because the Broncos need a national game after starting so fast this past year with new coach Josh McDaniel and because the Chargers are the team they are chasing in the AFC West (with the Chiefs and Raiders still way behind). How will the Chargers and Philip Rivers respond in 2010 after another quick playoff exit?!


-- INTRACONFERENCE GAMES --

NYJ at Detroit ~ The Lions host a nationally televised game each year on Thanksgiving, of course. This year it's there year to host an AFC team (CBS and Fox rotate between the Lions and Cowboys games). There are only two options for this game, either the Jets or Patriots. With the Jets making the AFC Championship game this year and with them being a hot new team nationally to follow, I predict the Jets get to play on Thanksgiving. Hopefully the Rexapotamus (Rex Ryan) won't eat every turkey in Michigan while he's there!

Dallas at Houston ~ The Texans are an emerging team, each year getting a little better. Even of late, they've been getting a few national games. Hosting intra-state rival Dallas (they only play every 4 years, only every 8 years at each other's venue) at home will make for a great emotional scene, in a state that loves their football!

New Orleans at Baltimore ~ A matchup of the NFL's #1-ranked scoring offense of 2009 against the NFL's #3-ranked scoring defense of 2009 on the natural-grass surface of Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium. Ray Lewis & Ed Reed vs. Drew Brees. Something's gotta give!

Oakland at San Franciso ~ Both these teams showed some signs of life in 2009 (SF more in the beginning of the year, while the Raiders did so towards the end). These two bay-area teams only meet up once every four years.

Brew Crew Series Recap (Apr. 9-11 v. STL) ~ Series #2 of 52

The Brewers concluded their 2010 opening home-stand vs. the defending division champion St. Louis Cardinals and lost the series 1-2 (Brewers are now 3-3 overall, 3-3 at home, and are tied for 2nd place, 1 game behind STL).

Game 4 – L 4-5 (Bush ND, Hoffman-L/BS) ~ night/closed, att: 34,018
Game 5 – L 1-7 (Gallardo-L) ~ day/closed, att: 42,039 (TV:FOX)
Game 6 – W 7-8 (Wolf ND, Hoffman-W/BS) ~ night/closed, att: 33,294 (TV:ESPN) (JW:1-1)

Notes:

• Trevor Hoffman blew back-to-back saves for the 1st time since 2007.
• Albert Pujols is really good.
• Brewers bashed staff-ace Carpenter around, but couldn't do squat against a guy (Garcia) who hadn't pitched in the majors in 2 years. Go figure.
• Hawkins continues to sparkle as the set-up man. In fact, the bullpen (sans Hoffman) has given up only 2 runs in 15 innings of work so far this season!
• HR in series(4): (McGehee-2nd, Weeks-2nd, Hart-1st, Braun-1st)

My thoughts: On the surface, a 3-3 start against 2 playoff teams from a year ago isn't all that bad, especially considering clean-up hitter Fielder hasn't hit one out yet and considering all-time saves leader Hoffman as blown 2 saves and has given up runs in all 3 appearances so far. But, every game is important and although Hoffman can't save them all, it's clearly the talk of the town today as we all worry about whether Hoffman is done or not. Hopefully this is a small blip on what will be another fine season for him. If he struggles and we blow games we should win in April, it could cost us a chance to play in October!

PITCHING MATCHUP (next series):

Game 7 (Mon) – Davis (0-0) v. Dempster (0-0)
Game 8 (Wed) – Bush (0-0) v. Wells (1-0)
Game 9 (Thu) – Suppan (0-0) v. Zambrano (1-1)

DID YOU KNOW? The Cubs are 2-4 (having played all games on the road thus far). They open their 95th season at Wrigley Field on Monday, April 12th vs. the Crew.

2010 BREWERS & MLB PREDICTIONS

I think it's obvious that the Brewers improved their starting pitching, relief pitching, speed on the bases, and have more veterans on the bench to start this season than last. That said, there are very many pretty good teams in the NL this year. By my count, there are 8 teams that could win at least 85 games (PHI, ATL, STL, CHC, MIL, SF, COL, SF) this year. Only 4 of them can make the playoffs and we can just about put the Phillies in the playoffs using a permanent marker to write their name down... which means 3 more spots for the other 7 teams. Percentages say it's less than a 50/50 chance the Brewers make the playoffs. As for the rest of the NL teams, the ones that could win in the 78 to 84 range (+/- 3 from .500) are FLA, NYM, CIN, ARI. The rest of the teams (WAS, HOU, PIT, SD) probably won't win more than 77. So, my playoff prediction for the NL is PHI, STL, COL, & ATL(Wildcard), with the Brew Crew just missing out.

As far as the AL, I'll predict: NYY, CHW, LAA, TB(Wildcard).

WORLD SERIES: Philadelphi Phillies pay back the NY Yankees and win it this year.

UPDATE: LaRussa switches pitching for weekend series v. Brewers

Per the AP/ESPN... La Russa switched his weekend pitching plans. Rookie LH Jaime Garcia will start on Saturday, a day earlier than planned. RH Chris Carpenter will get an extra day of rest and pitch in a nationally televised game Sunday night in Milwaukee. "It will be Garcia's first start," La Russa said. "I looked at it and just thought it was better."

Brew Crew Series Recap (Apr. 5-7 v. COL) ~ Series #1 of 52

The Brewers opened the 2010 season at home vs. the Colorado Rockies and won the series 2-1 (team now 2-1 overall and 2-1 at home, tied for 1st place with STL & PIT in the GB column).

Game 1 – L 3-5 (Gallardo 0-1) ~ day, roof open, att: 45,808 (JW 0-1)
Game 2 – W 7-5 (Wolf 1-0, SV-Hoffman-1) ~ night, roof closed, att: 37,344
Game 3 – W 5-4 (Davis ND, Coffey 1-0, SV-Hoffman-2) ~ day, roof closed, att: 35,793

Notes:

• Opening Day (04/05/10) featured the 2nd largest crowd in Miller Park history.
• The roof was open on Opening Day for the 1st time ever (temp was 68).
• Roof was closed the next two days with typical spring weather (cool and rainy).
• Carlos Gomez became only the 3rd Brewer ever to get 4 hits in his 1st game as a Brewer; first to do it at home.
• 8th inning setup man Hawkins had holds in both wins.
• HR: (Gomez-1, McGehee-1, Weeks-1)
• Hoffman now has 593 career saves.

My thoughts: The Brewers took 2 out of 3 from a pretty good Rockies team at home. I’ll take it! Conventional wisdom says if you can take 2 out of 3 at home and split on the road, you’ll be well on your way to postseason play (95 wins). The top of the rotation didn’t look all that sharp, going 1-1 (along with 1 no decision) with a combined 4.98 ERA. That said, that’s not awful either, especially given that the Brewers pitching was near the bottom of the NL last year. The starters kept the team in the game, and when you have an offense like the Brewers have, that is what’s important. Last year at times, they didn’t even have a chance. So, the 2010 campaign is underway and I’d say all-in-all, it’s a pretty good start! Bring on St. Louis! The Saturday (FOX) and Sunday (ESPN) games are on national TV.

PITCHING MATCHUP (next series):

Game 4 (Fri) – Bush (0-0) v. Lohse-R (0-0)
Game 5 (Sat) – Gallardo (0-1) v. Carpenter-R (1-0)
Game 6 (Sun) – Wolf (1-0) v. Garcia-L (0-0)

Note: Jaime Garcia will be pitching for the 1st time in the majors since Tommy John surgery in 2008.

BOWLING SCORES FROM TONIGHT

250-226-215-691