Dear Bill Hall: Shut your mouth

A few days ago (before they called up Branyan) I made a little reference as to why there wasn't even some consideration that he and Bill Hall weren't in a platoon, considering the fact that Bill Hall currently sucks.

Well...since Doug Melvin is a dedicated reader of Chuckie Hacks and blogs in general, Russell the Muscle was called up...presumably to be placed in a strict platoon with Bill Hall at 3b for the lefty-righty situation.

Oh nooooooooooo.....I guess not says Ned Yost.

I am actually a little surprised by this, given that Bill Hall is actually batting quite well against lefties. But I guess I also have no problem giving Branyan a shot at most of the PT...considering that he was owning souls in Triple A and is on the same level as Bill Hall defensively.

So Bill Hall and his career OBP of .318 (ugh) are upset.
"Going on the last four years, nothing makes any sense," he said. "My understanding is we needed a left-handed bat in the lineup and I was the odd man out. Does that make any sense? We'll see what happens the next couple of days."

Not quite sure that I understand what that means. He is obviously making some sort of statement that the fact that he has essentially been a full time player the last 4 years gives him some sort of additional lee-way when he goes on a prolonged slump or something.

You know what Bill? When you sign a contract for the big bucks, the team does give you extra time to work out your problems. As a matter of fact...the team has given you 177 AB's this year already...and you've done shit. You can no longer be relied upon. You have to work your way back. It's that simple. Shut your mouth.

I'm hoping Bill Hall can find some of his 2005 & 2006 magic. I really do. I'd love a year like that right now from our 3b. But it appears that he won't have the opportunity to show what he can do for a while assuming Branyan doesn't continuing having 4 strikeout games.

Russell the Effing Muscle

The Brewers need a kickstart. That kickstart is Russell Branyan.

Here's to hoping he can somewhat resemble what he did down in Triple A. If he OPS' over .800, I'll be happy.

Do it Russell. Do it.

Rumblings...

Can't fire Ned now...this team is butter!

These are the games/teams that the Brewers are supposed to win/beat. I'm not looking past today's game...but the Nationals are another team the Brewers need to whoop up on. 3 out of 4 there is a must as well before the team comes back to Milwaukee. You can almost hear Braun pumping up the guys in the clubhouse before these games..."We need to kick their ass...it's the freaking Pirates for crying out loud...sit dead red on a fastball and let's own these chumps!"

How good is Ben Sheets? Seriously. Guy is just a stud and is head over heals better then every other Brewer pitcher. Take a good look at the stats. Innings pitched. Strikeouts v Walks. ERA. It gets old mentioning but it needs to be reiterated: without him the Brewers would be terrible instead of painfully average.

Can we just cut the crap and call Salomon Torres the closer? I mean come on. The guy is lights out out of the pen this year. Nope...don't want to Ned? Why? Here's why:
"Probably, he will get the majority of the closing situations," Yost said. "But if I don't have to, I don't like to paint myself into a corner. If I want to bring in Shouse, I don't [want to] get 90 questions on why Torres didn't pitch."
Stop thinking Ned. Just know this. Torres can go an inning plus. If it's in the 8th and we are up, bring Torres in the nail the game down. That's all I'm saying man. K bye Gagne...enjoy your 10 million you billups.

Bill Hall and his putrid OBP (.286!!!!) are finally done as the everyday 3rd baseman. I refuse to do the Bill Hall chant ever again until he gets his OBP over .300. I'm sorry, that's my breaking point. Get ready for...another Craig Counsell platoon! Yes! My only question is: Is Russell the Muscle not even being considered if this platoon is for real? Guy is owning souls in Triple A to the tune of a 1.151 OPS! Get him up here! Is it not even worth a shot?!