Pirates Host Brewers in NL Central Showdown
On Wednesday, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh a National League Central showdown takes place when the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Pittsburgh Pirates. The current line has Pittsburgh favored at -155, Milwaukee at +145 and the over/under point total sitting on 8.5.
Milwaukee entering this game has a record of 39-52 overall and 16-30 on the road. The Brewers are 4-6 over their past 10 games played. Pittsburgh entering this game has a record of 48-45 overall and 25-20 at home. The Pirates are 6-4 over their past 10 games played.
Milwaukee will send Chase Anderson to the mound on Wednesday. The Brewers right-hander is 4-10 with an ERA of 5.44. Pittsburgh will counter with Jeff Locke. The Pirates southpaw is 8-5 with an ERA of 5.26.
Anderson hopes the poor results he had prior to the All-Star break do not continue during this half of the season. He lost each of his past four starts.
Locke could use some momentum change also, as he allowed 5 runs on 8 hits over four innings in his last outing versus St. Louis July 6. The native of New Hampshire pitched 2 1/3 innings in a relief appearance July 10.
The Pirates have not hit well of late and questions have arisen about the bullpen, but they continue to win. Pittsburgh has won two straight, including the first game of this three-game series with the Brewers. The Pirates have scored just 6 runs over their past 4 games.
Closer Mark Melancon who is an All-Star blew a save opportunity against Washington Sunday but Pittsburgh eventually won the game in the 18th inning. On Tuesday, he blew another save opportunity but the Pirates rallied in the last of the eighth to win 3-2.
Milwaukee is out of the race for the postseason and has had its own difficulties scoring as the team has scored two runs or fewer in 4 of its past 6 games. On Tuesday, the Brewers had 1 hit in 8 at bats with runners in scoring position.
Pittsburgh right fielder Gregory Polanco was back in the Pirates lineup on Tuesday for just his first game since July 8 due to a hamstring problem.
The Brewers third baseman Hernan Perez has 4 hits in 9 at bats that have produced 5 RBIs over his past three games.
Prediction: Pittsburgh might not be scoring many runs of late, but they are battling to remain relevant in the NL wildcard race. Lean on the home team here.
