Middle relief is killing the Milwaukee Brewers chances of contending for a NL Central Division Title.
I just watched Chicago Cubs reliever Bob Howry hold the Brewers' Gabe Gross off with a 12 pitch at bat. Top of the 8th, two men on, two outs in the bag, and he feeds Gross 12 straight fastballs, all 94-95 miles per hour. After a grueling 12 chances Gross pops out to end the inning. Incredible effort, but that's about it.
In the previous inning, Brewers reliever Scott Linebrink was in a similar situation with two men on and two outs, holding on to a 3-2 Brewers lead. But then Linebrink managed to give up three runs on three hits to squander that lead, leaving us at the current situation with the Brewers down 5-3 to Chicago in the bottom of the 8th.
The difference between pitchers like Bob Howry and Scott Linebrink may just cost Milwaukee its chance at the NL Central crown.