The Brewers seek to take three of four in Cincinnati today behind the arm of Yovani Gallardo. The Brewers' young ace struggled in his last two starts, allowing nine runs in ten innings to go along with nine walks. He'll try to reverse course today and find the form that had his ERA sitting under 3.00 earlier this month. It would help if the offense helps him out today as they haven't triggered free George Webb burgers in his starts since June and in fact have been blanked in two of his three July starts.
Facing him for the Reds is Johnny Cueto. Cueto has improved upon his solid rookie season, posting a respectable 3.62 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings. His season numbers were a lot more impressive just one month ago, but he's been torched lately, giving up 23 runs in his last five starts including 9 in just 2/3 of an inning in Philadelphia two weeks ago.
Ryan Braun returns to the lineup today and will be playing behind Mat Gamel at third base. The full lineup is after the jump, along with the state of the bullpen.
Lineup:
2B Counsell
CF Cameron
LF Braun
1B Fielder
RF Hart
3B Gamel
SS Hardy
C Kendall
RHP Gallardo
State of the Bullpen:
Seth McClung last pitched on Thursday, throwing 21 pitches in 1/3 of an inning.
Carlos Villanueva threw two pitches on Friday.
Chris Smith also pitched Friday, throwing 25 pitches in 2/3 of an inning.
Mark DiFelice struck out the side in the 9th last night on 19 pitches. He threw 19 pitches in 1 2/3 innings on Thursday.
Mitch Stetter threw eleven pitches in a scoreless inning on Friday.
Todd Coffey threw 22 pitches in two innings split by a 2 hour rain delay last night. He threw 8 pitches in 2/3 of an inning on Thursday.
Trevor Hoffman broke out Dr. Tanner's Salve for Olden Joints and threw a scoreless ninth for a save on Thursday.