With yesterday's win, the Brewers are now undefeated in their last nine series (seven series wins, two splits), and come into today's game looking for their first non-Pirates sweep of the season.
The Marlins will send Josh Johnson to the mound, and he's a worthy opponent. Johnson is 3-0 with a 2.34 ERA in seven starts, has allowed just 51 baserunners in 50 innings of work, and is among the NL top ten in ERA, WHIP, BB/9 and innings pitched. Bill Hall and Prince Fielder are the only Brewers who have faced him more than five times: Hall has hit .750/.833/1.750 off of him with a double and a home run, and Fielder has hit just .167/.167/.167.
Dave Bush takes the mound for the Crew, still just 1-0 through seven appearances (six starts), and carrying a 4.05 ERA. He's pitched well over his last two outings, going seven innings each time and allowing just five runs on nine hits, but he has been taken deep four times. Dan Uggla is 4-for-8 in his career against Bush with a double and a home run, but Ronny Paulino and Jorge Cantu are a combined 4-for-24.
J.J. Hardy is back in the lineup today, but Corey Hart is getting a day off, according to the JS:
Brewers
2B Rickie Weeks
SS J.J. Hardy
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
CF Mike Cameron
3B Bill Hall
RF Chris Duffy
C Mike Rivera
RHP Dave Bush
Marlins
3B Emilio Bonafacio
LF Chris Coghlan
SS Hanley Ramirez
1B Jorge Cantu
C John Baker
2B Dan Uggla
RF Ross Gload
CF Alfredo Almezega
RHP Josh Johnson
A quick look at the bullpen:
Carlos Villanueva has appeared in five straight games (over six days).
Trevor Hoffman has pitched each of the last two days.
Todd Coffey pitched yesterday.
Mitch Stetter pitched yesterday.
Mark DiFelice has not pitched since Tuesday.
Seth McClung has not pitched since Saturday.
Jorge Julio has not pitched since Saturday.
Thursday's Game Thread is now open.