Division rival Yelich urges Reds to go all in
NASHVILLE 5, COLUMBUS 3
MILWAUKEE — If Christian Yelich has learned one thing in 11 big-league seasons about first-place clubs and trade deadlines, it’s this pearl of truth: “Whenever you have the opportunity to get in, you should try to capitalize on that and make the most of it.”
The former MVP of the Milwaukee Brewers wasn’t trying to offer advice to Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall. But that was the context.
“You just never know how many chances you get to win, to be a postseason team,” Yelich said.
His perspective is hard-earned and ought to inform every call Krall makes to the White Sox, Tigers or anyone else with a starting pitcher they no longer need.
Yelich knows this because he watched as the Brewers traded away one of the most dominant closers in the game last year at the deadline.
“It was probably more of a shock than anything,” he said.
Team president David Stearns added a few role players to a defending division champ that had a threegame lead in the NL Central, including
Saturday’s game: Columbus at Nashville (late)
Friday’s game: Nashville 5, Columbus 3
Recap: Thomas Ponticelli allowed five runs in the 32⁄3 innings he pitched Friday, dropping him to 2-5 on the season. The right-hander allowed a firstinning home run to Nashville’s Luis Urías. Ponticelli struck out one and walked a batter. Brayan Rocchio attempted to lead a comeback with RBI a lesser closer to backfill for Josh Hader, but the wrong-way impact on the clubhouse was palpable.
And the Brewers missed the playoffs by one game.
“Obviously, trading a guy like Josh was never going to help,” Yelich said. “But it also can’t be used as a copout, either, for why we didn’t make it.”
Except that there was no single bigger factor.
And, by the way, the team that finished one game ahead of them for the final NL playoff spot? The Philadelphia Phillies wound up in the World Series.
And that’s the point for a team like those Brewers — and these Reds.
“You get in the postseason, you never know what can happen,” Yelich said.
He has seen it from both sides as the Brewers have often been aggressive at the trade deadline. That includes making a move for Mike Moustakas in 2018 and dealing for CC Sabathia in 2008.
“It doesn’t always pan out when you get guys,” Yelich said. “But oftentimes when you get guys you make a run for it, you feel good about it in the clubhouse.”
Matt Mclain’s promotion and performance in May provided that kind of jolt for the Reds. Elly De La Cruz’s debut in June certainly did.
Maybe it’s Krall’s turn to have the same kind of impact on the group. singles in the seventh and ninth innings, but his 2-for-4 night with 2 RBIS could not stave off a Clippers’ loss. Attendance: 8,864
Next game: 2:05 p.m. Sunday at Nashville
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Next home game: 7:05 p.m. Friday vs. Iowa
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