PROGRAMMING NOTE: Due to the quick turnaround between last night and today's games, the Mug is off today. It should return tomorrow. - KL
Even after last night's win, the Brewers are 3-9 against the Cardinals this season.
They'll get a chance to improve on that mark at 1:10 today with Tom Gorzelanny (2.95 ERA, 3.88 FIP) on the mound. He had a rough outing last time out against the Reds on Friday, tying a season high by allowing five runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He allowed two home runs in that game for the first time all season.
Despite being left handed, Gorzelanny has been very good against both righties and lefties this season. He's dominating opposing lefties to the tune of a .183/.290/.323 line, but also holding right handed batters to a .219/.284/.344 line. The .628 OPS righties are carrying against him is significantly lower than his .776 career mark against them.
Gorzelanny has already faced the Cardinals five times this season, but all of those previous outings were in relief. He's allowed two runs on three hits over five combined innings, walking two and striking out one. Five current Cardinals have faced him ten times or more:
PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carlos Beltran | 15 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | .273 | .467 | .818 | 1.285 |
Yadier Molina | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | .167 | .333 | .250 | .583 |
Matt Holliday | 13 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | .500 | .615 | .800 | 1.415 |
Jon Jay | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .167 | .400 | .333 | .733 |
Adam Wainwright | 10 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .250 | .333 | .375 | .708 |
Total | 85 | 69 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 10 | .275 | .393 | .551 | .944 |
He'll face veteran righty Jake Westbrook (4.35 ERA, 4.40 FIP) in the 19th appearance of his 13th major league season. Westbrook got knocked around by the Cubs on Friday, allowing seven runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings with five walks and two strikeouts. He has a 10.13 ERA over his last four outings.
Despite Westbrook's recent struggles, he's still remarkably good at keeping the ball in the park. He's allowed just five home runs over 109.2 innings this season, and hasn't given up more than one in a start all year. He'll throw a 90 mph fastball with a cutter and splitter, plus the occasional changeup and slider.
Westbrook beat the Brewers on May 2, holding them to a single run on six hits over six innings. Three active Brewers have faced him ten times or more:
PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yuniesky Betancourt | 25 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .360 | .500 | .860 |
Aramis Ramirez | 16 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .583 | .625 | .750 | 1.375 |
Jonathan Lucroy | 10 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .300 | .300 | .300 | .600 |
Total | 80 | 70 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 6 | .314 | .380 | .414 | .794 |
As of this writing today's lineup has not been posted. If you've seen it, please drop it in the comments.
And in the bullpen:
- Brandon Kintzler pitched one inning (18 pitches) last night and also threw 31 pitches on Monday.
- Jim Henderson pitched one inning (17 pitches) last night.
- John Axford pitched one inning (13 pitches) last night.
- Burke Badenhop pitched 1.2 innings (22 pitches) on Monday.
- Donovan Hand, expected to rejoin the team today, pitched two innings for Nashville on Monday.
- Tyler Thornburg and Michael Gonzalez last pitched on Sunday.
Today could be the hottest day of the year at Miller Park, but the forecast (which originally called for temperatures to reach 90) has been scaled back a bit. Expect a game-time temperature around 83 today under partly cloudy skies with a crosswind blowing in slightly from right.