Remember back on April 18, when the Brewers lost to the Mets and fell to 1-4 on the road? They're 10-3 on the road since. I don't think any of us saw that coming.
Tonight, they open a three game series in Houston, where they'll see Mike Hampton for the second time in 2009. When the Brewers faced Hampton on April 25, he was pitching very well, carrying a 3.12 ERA over his first three starts. Since then, however, the league has caught up to him a bit: Hampton is 1-2 with a 7.06 ERA in his last four starts, including that no decision against the Brewers on 4/25, and his ERA for the season is all the way up to 5.31. As a team, the Astros have won six of their last eight games, sweeping the Padres, taking two of three from the Rockies and one of two from the Cubs.
The Brewers will send Dave Bush to the mound tonight, carrying a 2-0 record and a 3.83 ERA. He's been a very good pitcher over his last five starts, earning both of his wins, allowing opposing batters to hit just .195/.254/.407 against him and pitching at least seven innings in four of five starts. Bush is 5-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 appearances (ten starts) against the Astros in his career.
Dave Bush's start also means Mike Rivera is back in the lineup, and a lefty starter for the Astros means Casey McGehee gets his first start at second base.
Corey Hart RF
Bill Hall 3B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Mike Cameron CF
J.J. Hardy SS
Mike Rivera C
Casey McGehee 2B
Dave Bush RHP
And in the bullpen:
Carlos Villanueva pitched two innings yesterday.
Mark DiFelice pitched .2 innings yesterday..
Mitch Stetter faced one batter yesterday.
Todd Coffey has not pitched since Sunday.
Seth McClung has not pitched since Sunday.
Trevor Hoffman has not pitched since Saturday.
Jorge Julio has not pitched since last Saturday.
Tuesday's Game Thread is now open.