Pitching Matchups & TV Time
Monday: Lance Lynn (2-0 6.55) vs. Matt Garza (0-1 2.57) 7:10 pm FSNWI
Tuesday: Shelby Miller (0-2 6.35) vs. Marco Estrada (1-0 2.31) 7:10 pm FSNWI
Wednesday: Joe Kelly (1-0 0.79) vs. Wily Peralta (1-0 2.25) 12:10 pm 620 WTMJ
Five Things To Watch
1. It had to be you, St. Louis. - This is more of a rivalry from the Milwaukee side of things. St. Louis sees the Brewers as their little brothers. Milwaukee is the Maryland to St. Louis' Duke-North Carolina rivalry with Chicago if that makes sense (Probably does to only five of you). With them coming in town as Milwaukee rides a nine game winning streak, it allows for the Brewers to make an early statement. They have struggled mightily with St. Louis in the last two years, and if they can find a way to grab an early psychological advantage, Milwaukee will not only tell the world they are here to stay and contend, but also themselves. A lot of times against the Cardinals last year, Milwaukee seemed more defeated than they would against other teams. Excited for this series.
2. Marco and Wily's noted struggles against the Cardinals - Last year, Marco Estrada faced St. Louis five times, three times at Busch Stadium, twice at Miller Park. He struggled to say the least as he gave up 30 earned runs in 27 innings along with walking 14 batters, 10 higher than any other team he faced last season. Estrada will need to have more composure on Tuesday night. Peralta had a similar fate in four starts against St. Louis where he allowed 18 runs in 21 innings pitched dealing with similar things. Both players just need to think of it as just another team and not St. Louis. If they do that, Milwaukee could end up holding a 12 game winning streak when they head to Pittsburgh.3. Figuring out Shelby Miller - With how bad Estrada and Peralta were against St. Louis, Shelby Miller was the inverse against the Brewers becoming the latest known Brewers killer in the National League Central. Miller dominated the Crew in his five starts winning three of them but only surrendering seven runs in 25 innings plus he struck out 29 batters which is double the amount he had against any other team this season. It's important for Brewers to jump on him early and not let him get comfortable or he will dominate this lineup again.
4. First real test for the bullpen - Brewers had their first injury of the season with Brandon Kintzler going down with a strained rotator cuff muscle. Rob Wooten will be the latest addition, a pitcher many thought should have made the opening roster. Maybe this is just me being irrational, but I feel like the bullpen always has trouble with St. Louis' bats because they are patient hitters and wait for mistakes to happen versus trying to be a difference maker right away. I think we get a true gauge of just how good this bullpen is this week.
5. Why getting one win this week is the most important thing - Would I love to sweep St. Louis? Yes, yes I would, but in all honestly, taking one game will do just fine. Why you ask? They would then have a winning homestand and take four out of six games which is what you want for a homestand. Yes the end result would be a little disappointing if they were to win the first game only to lose the final two, but still being above .500 at home will usually result in good things. But in all seriousness, let's keep the streak alive and not lose until May.
Appropriate YouTube Video
Yeah we are going with Jennifer Lopez because if Milwaukee wins tonight, free burgers at Sobelman's and if they win the whole series, free burgers at George Webb's. A lot of free stuff on the line. So burgers might not cost a thing.
Prediction
They are losing a game somewhere in here. I could see them pushing it out to eleven and then maybe lose the afternoon game. Two out of three sounds reasonable.
Charlie.
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