Sabathia remarkable for Brewers in win over Astros

CC Sabathia tossed yet another complete game for Milwaukee, improving his record to 8-0

CC Sabathia was dominant for Milwaukee once again, tossing his fifth complete game, allowing three runs on eleven hits in a 9-3 win over Houston. He threw 130 pitches and delivered with the bat as well, knocking a two-run single to complete his effort. He improved to 8-0 with the Brewers, helping his teams’ hopes of getting into the playoffs. Corey Hart collected three hits, driving in two while scoring twice, continuing his impressive month at the plate. Ray Durham, taking the place of injured second baseman Rickie Weeks, drove in three runs on his three hits while J.J. Hardy plated two runs in a five run fourth inning.

Though it will be hard for the Brewers to hold on to their ace beyond this season, he is proving to be the difference in a tight National League Wild Card race. Sabathia has shown why some say his repertoire of pitches are deemed unfair for an overall poor hitting National League, dominating his opponents with ease. He has won his 11th consecutive game overall, raising his free-agent stock with every overpowering win.

The Brewers, no matter how successful they are for the remainder of the season, will have a tough task ahead of them to sign two of their top pitchers. CC Sabathia, who is just 28, will most likely get Johan Santana-type money, or more (7-8 years, $150 million dollars). GM Doug Melvin needs to open his pocketbook to sign him, making sure he can retain a pitcher of Sabathia’s caliber long term. Ben Sheets, who has stayed surprisingly healthy during this season, had been Milwaukee’s ace before Sabathia’s arrival, and has posted a 11-6 record overall. He, being a free-agent after the season as well, will also command top dollar, which could draw the Brewers away from resigning him, considering he has been battling injuries throughout his career. Melvin has a lot of young players, such as Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, and Corey Hart, who will be deserving of max contracts in upcoming seasons, putting him in a tough predicament. If Melvin shells out $150 million for Sabathia, he needs to be sure to save enough money to keep this young core together, preserving a team that should compete for years to come. This means letting Sheets go free, as he won’t necessarily command what Sabathia expects, but something in the range of 5 years, $90-100 million dollars. I believe Milwaukee will do all they can to sign Sabathia this winter, as he is better, and two years younger than Sheets. He brings so much intensity to the Brewers, making the type of impact that last beyond games he starts. His presence, as their ace, gives them hope that they can not only make the playoffs this year, but compete for what would be the franchise’s first World Series title.