Missing in Action: Brewers’ Road Offense

by South Side Rob

Seth McClung goes 6 innings and gives up just 2 runs. I would say he has put his team in position to win. Remember, pitching doesn’t win contrary to popular belief, it merely gives you the opportunity to win by keeping the opponents offense in check. The Brewers scored one run on Tuesday night. The only run-scoring hit was a solo blast by Ryan Braun.

In the 7th inning, the Astros had one of those innings where they managed to have 3 or more hits (Remember my report from last week). In fact, they managed 4 hits in the 7th inning. The result was 4 additional runs that they actually did not need to win the game because the Brewers scored just one run with their 27 outs on Monday.

Rickie Weeks is out of the lead-off spot (For 3 Games Now) and the Brewers offense has managed 2, 3, and 1 run respectively.

We always hear about how much preparation goes into a start for a pitcher. He comes to the ballpark early, watches tapes on opposing hitters, meets with the pitching coach and starting catcher to go over how they want to work certain hitters in certain situations during the game etc… I’m convinced that our opposing starting pitcher needs about two sentences from his pitching coach prior to taking the mound against this Brewer offense.

For example, I believe this is what the Houston pitching coach told Roy Oswalt last night prior to the game, “Very simple approach tonight Roy. Bust every Brewer outside and try not to miss in and don’t give in when behind in the count. Trust me, you keep throwing them on the outside and you’ll get them out or, they’ll get themselves out.” Owsalt went 7 innings, gave up one run on just five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out 10.

Right now, on the road, this Brewer offense scares nobody. Period. I read some comments from fans about last night’s game such as not to worry, the offense will get hot etc… This tells me that they actually swallow words that come from the mouth of Ned Yost, who, was probably tipping his cap to Roy Oswalt and his performance last night.

Other than the Cubs and one 3-game series against the Pirates, who do you honestly feel the Brewers could possibly beat on the road? Anybody going forward? There is not a team that I think the Brewers can beat on the road. Everybody especially this season seems to be struggling on the road. I think only 3 teams actually have a winning record on the road. Remember, I said I think, I don’t feel like looking it up right now.

We are in the 3rd month of a 6-month season and does anybody feel as good as they did last year at this point? I laugh when fans think this team is capable of just flipping a switch and going on a tear. Where is evidence of that? They are not going to have more than 9 straight games at home the rest of the season so, for them to do this, they have to start playing winning baseball on the road.

I’m afraid to say that my expectations are sinking every time I watch this team play a road game. Everything they accomplished in the last home stand is just about forgotten. None of it matters if they are only able to do these things at home.

Could somebody help me re-gain confidence in this team and specifically, this offense. Don’t tell me, “They’re going to get hot”. I’ve been hearing that sky is falling expectation all season…