Red, Red Whine (30-20)

Dear Ken Macha,

The month of May ended on a high note.  A sweep of the Cincinnati Reds put the Brewers in sole possession of first place in the NL Central and the 18 wins that the Crew racked up throughout the month of May means that fans will be able to save $18 on select tickets for the series against the hapless Rockies. With margaritas costing $8.50, that’s enough extra cash to get girl drink drunk, Ken!

As fruitful as the past week has been for the team and fans alike, it’s been an altogether different story for your two red logo’d opponents.  The Cardinals have been continually frustrated over the past two seasons by the winning ways of the Brewers, leading fans and columnists in St. Louis to perpetually complain about the uncouthness of the Crew in untucking their shirts (Cody Zwief wrote a very perceptive post about the “problems”).  I have to hand it to you, Ken, for finding a creative way to respond to that criticism. Having Bill Hall and the rest of the team celebrate their tenth-inning victory on Monday by sprinting into the dugout and away from the sensitive eyes of the Cardinals added a new element of psychological warfare to the rivalry.  Maybe by depriving the Cardinals of what they wanted — a reason to get angry — you took the wind out of the sails of the S.S. LaRussa.

Next in line to whine were the Cincinnati Reds and their second basemen, Brandon Phillips.  The gents at Chuckie Hacks spotted this slightly unusual statement from Phillips after being swept:

“I feel like we’re a better team than the Brewers,” he said. “But today, they executed better than we did. They did the little things. We didn’t do the little things the last two games. That’s why they won the game.”

Maybe you were making another of your chess master moves by strategically winning two of the three games by close margins, leading Brandon Phillips to gain a false sense of security about his team’s chances in the division.  It’s too bad Brandon probably won’t be a happy camper in October when he’s watching the playoffs at the Dusty Baker annual postseason BBQ and strategy session.

It has to feel nice to be in the catbird seat, what with so much whining going on about your team’s winning ways.   The offense has picked it up again after a 10-game stretch of weak hitting — Craig Counsell continues to drop grit all over the place even after he was put into the starting lineup, making the lack of Rickie a little bit more tolerable (R.I.P, your best season yet).   The pitching has even improved compared to April’s numbers, although the bullpen is clearly carrying the starting pitching (apart from Gallardo).   Life’s a pretty sweet fruit for you and your team, Ken!

Perhaps the best thing about the month to come is the relatively weak schedule of teams you face. The upcoming slate of the Marlins, Braves, Rockies, White Sox and the Indians should bode well for the victory column.   Make it through that gauntlet of under-performing teams and the more formidable latter half of the month won’t matter quite as much.

I hear the south is beautiful this time of year, Ken.  Enjoy the fireworks, abundant Waffle Houses and lingering resentment over the 2008 election in between victories over the Marlins and Braves!

Best Regards,

Rob Vosters