TOP PLAY (WPA):
The game was tied 2-2 in the seventh inning. Both Brewers runs were scored via the solo home run. The first was by Chris Carter in the third inning to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. The second was Jonathan Lucroy in the fifth inning to put the Brewers up 2-1.
Now, it’s the seventh inning and the dynamic duo are set to lead off the inning, looking to once again put the Brewers in front. Lucroy started the inning by hitting a line drive that went to right field for a single. Carter was the next batter and worked a 3-2 count. Then on the sixth pitch of the at-bat he hit a line drive to center field, scoring Lucroy from first and giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead which they would never relinquish.
WORST PLAY (WPA):
After Zach Davies gave up his first home run of the game and his second run, he was pulled with one out in the seventh inning for Blaine Boyer. After the Brewers had taken back the lead in the bottom of the seventh, Counsell decided to go with his “big guns” by bringing in Blazek for the eighth. If everything went according to plan, that would set up Jeremy Jeffress for the ninth.
Blazek, however, didn’t have a very smooth inning. He got Adam Rosales to fly out to lead off the inning, but Christian Bethancourt followed with a single, and so did Travis Jankowski. This put runners on first and second with only one out. Derek Norris then flew out to center field, which allowed Bethancourt to advance to third base.
Matt Kemp was the next batter. While Kemp isn’t the player he used to be, he still can hit for some power as he’s slugging .500 thus far this season. Blazek also didn’t do himself any favors as he fell behind 2-0. After Kemp fouled the next pitch, he drilled the 2-1 offering to center field. The ball had an exit velocity of 102 MPH, but it was caught by Flores in center to end the frame.
TREND TO WATCH:
As I mentioned earlier, Lucroy hit a home run earlier this game.
It was his fourth home run of the season and his second in two games. In 2016, Lucroy’s got a wRC+ of 129 and is slugging .496.
For most of his career, Lucroy’s been a productive hitter, especially for the catcher position. In his MVP-caliber season, 2014, Lucroy had a wRC+ of 132. That was second among all qualified catchers, only trailing Buster Posey. Last year, though, was a different story. He got injured early in the season and then struggled at the plate.
Lucroy is a very important part of the Brewers rebuild. Not only for his production with the team, but more precisely what he’ll be able to bring back in a trade. He’s one of the Brewers best remaining trade chips and the better Lucroy produces on offense, the better the return will be for him. This will help further expedite an already well-formed rebuilding process. To put it simply, there aren’t many catchers who can hit well, and there aren’t many catchers who can hit for Lucroy’s power. There are still reasonable questions to be made about Lucroy’s framing, but even if that skill never fully comes back, teams looking to make a run in the postseason can use his bat if he keeps up his current pace.
COMING UP NEXT:
The Brewers have the day off tomorrow. They’ll be in action again on Tuesday, May 17th. This time, Chase Anderson will get the nod for the Brew Crew. Anderson’s been abysmal thus far with a 6.11 ERA and unfortunately for him, he’ll be facing the Chicago Cubs who’ve scored the second-most runs in the majors.
The Brewers will probably need to score a number of runs in this game if they want to have a chance. But there’s a reason why the Cubs just keep on winning. Kyle Hendricks will be pitching for Chicago and he’s got 3.03 ERA with even better peripherals.
Basically, this game could get real ugly.