We could very well have a repeat of May 14 on our hands, since we have both starting pitchers back at the helm.
Dave Bush is 3-1 with an ERA of 4.38 in 2009. With him as the starting pitcher, Brewers are 7-4. He allowed three runs (two earned) while striking out seven Marlins in seven innings. As long as the hitters can at least match the three runs, I wouldn't mind seeing this again from Bush...especially since the bullpen has had to pitch 20 of the last 43 innings. In his career, Bush has only started four games against the Marlins, allowing 16 runs in the process.
The Marlins' starting pitcher tonight, Josh Johnson, is probably the best starter for them this season. So far, he's 4-1 for the year with an ERA of 2.66. In his last start against Milwaukee, he walked five while allowing three runs (two earned) in only four innings. Anyone remember how Manny Parra obsessively checks his baserunners? Well, Johnson has averaged one pickoff throw per baserunner this year, which puts him at the top of the league in such matters with a large margin. It'll be interesting to see how much he throws over to first base tonight, since the Brewers never run.
Lineup:
2B Craig Counsell
SS J.J. Hardy
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
CF Mike Cameron
RF Corey Hart
3B Bill Hall
C Mike Rivera
RHP Dave Bush
Tom sez:
And before you ask why the slump-ridden Hall is in the lineup, here is your answer: He is 4 for 6 with 2 HRs for his career against Johnson.
So unbelievably lame. We're using six at-bats as reasonable barometer now?
Bullpen Status:
- Chris Smith pitched one inning the last two nights for AAA Nashville.
- Seth McClung pitched last night for 3.1 innings and Monday for one inning.
Todd Coffey last pitched Monday for one inning.
Carlos Villanueva last pitched Monday for one inning (seeing a pattern here?).
Mike Burns pitched Tuesday for four innings.
Mitch Stetter last pitched Sunday for, you guessed it, one inning.
And Hells Bells himself pitched last night's final inning.
Today's game thread is officially open!