Opening Day Was Sunk in the Bottom of the First Inning
Considering all 9 innings, the countless pitches thrown, and the back-to-back-to-back bombs by the San Francisco Giants, it was actually the bottom of the first inning that was the ultimate turning point for the Milwaukee Brewers. Keep in mind, they took a 1-0 on ace Madison Bumgarner in that frame.
Still, while many were applauding the efforts of the 2016 Crew in scratching out a run against one of the best hurlers in the game, I was left groaning and shaking my head. While I'd never give up on a game, it gave me the unnerving sense of wasted opportunity to go with a case of "that's gonna cost them."
After the Brewers collected a hit and 3 walks to plate the game's first run, Aaron Hill stepped to the dish with a chance to give Milwaukee a much-needed early cushion. I was clapping and cheering to help get the fans into the moment; however, most didn't realize how big it was at the time.
One person asked me, "Why are you still clapping?"
They assumed I was still celebrating the RBI walk by Chris Carter. The fact was, as I informed this individual, I was actually trying to encourage Hill and the crowd in understanding this may be the biggest moment in the game - especially if the Brewers had any chance of winning.
Unfortunately, Hill bounced into a tailor-made 6-4-3 double play to end the threat, letting a less than stellar Bumgarner off the hook with just a single run crossing home. I didn't declare the contest over, but in my mind, the Brewers had a 25% chance of winning at that point.
This is not to bemoan the twin-killing itself - there's a reason Bumgarner is Bumgarner and Hill is...a less productive version of his earlier self. The point is to recognize the impact even the first inning can have on the rest of the game. Outcomes won't be guaranteed, but they are often heavily influenced.
Say the Brewers get 3 runs in the first frame. That now means Bumgarner throws more pitches, Peralta has a comfortable lead after a 1-2-3 opening inning, and the hill is steep for the Giants in their first regular season action.
Peralta's strategy may have been slightly different against their challenging lineup. His execution could have been better. The Giants batters may have been more patient - or more aggressive - in plotting their comeback.
Bumgarner may have been knocked around some more with his confidence shaken. At worst, he likely struggles to get through the same amount of innings, bringing on the soft underbelly of any bullpen. That allows the Brewers to tack on more runs against inferior pitchers.
With the Brewers in the lead, Craig Counsell doesn't go to Carlos Torres and Ariel Pena, but instead utilizes his better relievers in Michael Blazek and Jeremy Jeffress. That potentially eliminates 4 long balls and 7 runs on the Giants' side of the ledger.
You can go on and on with the scenarios.
Though some would still end up with San Francisco spoiling one of the great annual days in Milwaukee, the actual events set up the Brewers for failure with that first-inning dud. It all started with the inability to give a true gut-punch to a talented pitcher on the ropes.
It's just something to keep in mind as you watch any (or all) of the next 161 Brewers' games, that how the first third of the contest can render the final third irrelevant. We all understand that the 7th, 8th and 9th frames present the most potential drama and importance, but only if it's a close game.
So whether you're watching from home or the seats at Miller Park, be cognizant of the fact that a bases loaded situation in the 2nd inning may likely be bigger than anything happening in the 8th or 9th when the outcome has already been decided...at least with 99% certainty.