In the News (5/4)

Today's Game: Astros 8, Brewers 6

Record: 16-15, third
Games Behind Cubs: 2

What a crummy weekend to be a Brewers fan... They get swept in Houston, are only a game over .500, lose Gallardo for the year and were forced to DFA Turnbow. It's hard to feel good about the way things are going, but it is a long season, a lot can happen between now and September. The Brewers will have to rally after their off day Monday and start stringing some wins together.

- The Astros swept the Crew, capped off by a blown save by Gagne in a 12-inning loss. The Astros benefited from a number of close calls and a very tight strike zone for Gagne, but no one was making excuses after the game.

- Gallardo is likely out for the year. This is an enormous loss for the Brewers and their playoff/division title hopes. More HERE.

- Jim Powell calls the loss of Gallardo "devastating."

- Another Baseball Blog has a graphic photo of the nasty injury and says that it will only cost the Brewers two or three wins based on ZiPs Projections, but that the Brewers chances of making the playoffs fell from about 50 percent to about 25 percent.

- With the Gallardo injury, Bush is back. More HERE.

- Turnbow was designated for assignment and his days as a Brewer may be done. More HERE. 

- Turnbow's former teammates feel bad about his situation. I think fans do too. He seems like a good guy. Hopefully he straightens it out, whether it's for the Crew or another team.

- Speaking of Turnbow, apparently four teams are interested in trading for him. It would be interesting to see what the Brewers can get in return for Turnbow. As the article points out, the Brewers would probably have to pay some of the salary or take on a similar contract.

- The Brewers are down to 12 pitchers again after Joe Dillon replaced Turnbow on the roster. They had 14 only a handful of days ago.

- Parra still can't get through the fifth. More HERE.

- Villanueva has not been much more effective. More HERE.

- Hardy is slumping.

- The Cubs playing home games in Milwaukee? Maybe, according to this column:

"It appears inevitable that Wrigley Field will have to be closed for extensive renovations at some point in the next decade. The Cubs likely would share U.S. Cellular Field with the White Sox on the South Side for at last a year, although playing in Milwaukee apparently also is an option."

Personally, I'd like to keep Cubs fans out of Miller Park as much as possible, but I'd like to know what kind of a financial commitment the Cubs would have to make to the Brewers to make this happen.

- Hardball Times analyzes Ben Sheets.

- Could the Sounds' Mark DiFelice be an option if the Brewers need another starter? He's 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA and has struck out 25 batters in 17 innings without allowing a walk. Pretty impressive start...

- Matt LaPorta checks in from Nashville on his Baseball Digest Daily blog.

- Mat Gamel was the #1 Baseball America Hot Prospect for last week.

- Jim Powell says it was a tough weekend for the Brewers and their fans.

- The Brewers reportedly turned down the Rangers in talks about obtaining catcher Gerald Laird. Not sure why the Brewers would want Laird right now... The Rangers are also reportedly not interested in Turnbow.

- In more trade rumors, the Brewers will reportedly seek starting pitching.

- Damian Miller has turned down offers from the Yankees and Padres in recent weeks, but said he might return to Milwaukee if the Brewers called. "Milwaukee was the best three years I had in my career," Miller said. "That group of guys is great, as talented as they are and as ego-less as they are. That whole group of players is really special. Not only do they want to win, they want to do it the right way."

- The Junkball Blues has a suggestion for the rotation.

- The Crew Cast, Episode Five is now available.

- Former Brewer Jose Capellan was DFA'd. He's the same guy that decided not to report after getting demoted from Milwaukee to Nashville because he didn't feel he deserved to be sent down.

- As bad as this weekend was, at least no Brewers prospects attacked their teammates with a bat. The Pirates weren't as lucky.

- Cardinals Diaspora give us the Top 10 Reason the Cubs Suck. Hat tip to Chuckie Hacks.