By Adam Roberts – 10/13/2021

The Minnesota Viking offense got a veteran presence added to their practice squad today.

The team has signed Luke Stocker, who has played in 130 career games with 91 starts and was at one point a member of the Packers organization.

By Adam Roberts – 10/12/2021

Josh Hader just doesn’t give up postseason home runs, or many long balls at all for that matter.

There’s just something about Freddie Freeman.

The Braves’ first baseman took the first pitch he saw from the Brewers’ All-Star reliever and sent it to the centerfield bleachers. It was the second home run Freeman has hit off Hader, with the previous one coming in the 10th inning of a contest in May of 2019. The longball tonight was just the seventh home run Hader had allowed to left-handed batters in his career, but it would be the final dagger in the Brewers’ postseason plans. With the 5-4 loss, the Crew were eliminated in the National League Division Series, and are left to wonder what could have been had the offense been even just a little more productive.

Going into the top of the fourth inning, Milwaukee had been held scoreless for the last 21 innings and were an abysmal 0-19 with runners in scoring position. They finally broke through on an Omar Narvaez RBI single followed by a Lorenzo Cain base knock to score another run. But the Braves would counter in the bottom half of the inning. The fifth featured another Rowdy Tellez home run, but that was also followed by two more runs in the bottom of that inning.

Freeman’s 428-foot solo shot moves the Braves to the NLCS for the second straight year, where they’ll face the winner of Thursday’s Giants-Dodgers series finale. Meanwhile for Milwaukee, they’ll enter the offseason hoping to keep most of the band together for next year. Avi Garcia seems like the only name at the moment that could likely be gone for next season, but general manager David Stearns will still need to make tough decisions as all GM’s do following another early playoff exit.

On a positive note, it should be recognized that Luis Urias was dynamite at third base today, killing a number of Atlanta scoring opportunities. He will likely look to lock that position down this upcoming spring.

At the end of the day, 2021 will be looked back upon by fans, media, and likely some players as another “what if?” year for Milwaukee. The stretch of play in September and into the postseason where the offense couldn’t seem to click was ultimately a foreshadowing of the NLDS to come, and will hopefully be used as fuel for what to improve upon next year.

By Adam Roberts – 10/12/2021

There’s plenty of opinions circulating around the Brewer-verse today about who should get the start on the mound as Milwaukee looks to avoid elimination in the National League Divisional Series. It appears the Crew are turning to lefty Eric Lauer today despite some calls for Corbin Burnes to pitch on three days rest, something he hasn’t done all season.

Steve “Sparky” Fifer said earlier this morning on The Wendy’s Big Show seemed to question the decision to send Lauer out today, instead wanting the Brewers’ ace and Cy Young candidate to pitch in a win-or-go-home situation. Lauer has pitched once this season against Atlanta, coming out of the bullpen and giving up three runs on four hits in three innings of work including two home runs. But Lauer has been an effective four-spot starter save for his final appearance of the year against the Dodgers. During the month of September he had a 3-0 record in six appearances with a 2.93 ERA heading into the Dodger game.

In my opinion, what will matter much more today is whether or not the bats finally bring some runs home; the lineup will continue to include Christian Yelich in the three spot with available pinch hitters including Daniel Vogelbach, Eduardo Escobar, and Tyrone Taylor. Rowdy Tellez will start again at first for Milwaukee today as well.

Coverage from Game Four of the NLDS begins at 3:30 this afternoon on ESPN La Crosse 105.5!

By Adam Roberts – 10/11/2021

I’ve taken to calling Packers kicker Mason Crosby the Silver Fox over the years (I mean just look at that hair!), and have always appreciated the man’s consistency over the majority of his career.

Yesterday was NOT one of those consistent days, but when it came down to brass tax Mason did just enough for the Packers’ fourth win of the season.

Crosby missed three consecutive game-winning field goal tries before nailing his fourth chance as the Packers outlasted the Bengals 25-22 in overtime in Cincinnati. He had missed two late in the fourth quarter and another in OT, but his 49-yard field goal with just 1:55 left in overtime lifted Green Bay to its fourth straight victory.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 344 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception for the Packers, who lead the NFC North at 4-and-1. A big run play late for Aaron Jones pushed him to 103 yards on the day. The big offensive star though was receiver Davante Adams; Rodgers’s #1 target hauled in 11 catches for 206 yards and a score.

Green Bay will visit the Bears on Sunday, who defeated the Raiders 20-9 yesterday.

By Adam Roberts – 10/8/2021

As the Brewers and Braves get ready for first pitch today from American Family Field, one Brewers bullpen arm has been left off the NLDS roster.

Brent Suter will not be a part of the Brewers’ pitching staff this series. Manager Craig Counsell says Suter is dealing with a right oblique strain.

This season Suter put up a 12-5 record with a 3.07 ERA; his 73.1 IP was the most since 2018.

The Milwaukee bullpen is of course also dealing with the absence of Devin Williams after he punched a wall following the team’s NL Central-clinching win against the Mets.