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Game Thread #116: Astros (56-59) at Brewers (57-58)


Current Series

Brewers lead the series 1-0

Fri 08/14 WP: Yovani Gallardo (11 - 9)
LP: Wandy Rodriguez (11 - 7)
11 - 2 win

Houston Astros
@ Milwaukee Brewers

Saturday, Aug 15, 2009, 6:05 PM CDT
Miller Park

Brian Moehler vs Mike Burns

Mostly clear. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80.

Complete Coverage >

Sun 08/16 1:05 PM CDT


The Brewers get another opportunity to get back to .500 tonight, but they'll have to do it with Mike Burns on the mound and Jason Kendall catching.

Follow the jump for today's pitching matchup, starting lineup and conversation on today's game!

Brian Moehler (7-8, 5.40) is facing the Brewers for the first time this season, and the Crew might be catching him at a good time. Moehler is 0-3 in his last four starts, and has posted a 6.85 ERA over that time, allowing opposing hitters to hit .309/.353/.468 off of him. The Astros are 10-10 overall in his starts this season. A couple of Brewers will be pretty excited to see him: Jason Kendall is 10-for-13 off of Moehler in his career (.769/.786/.846), and Prince Fielder is 4-for-9 with two walks and two HR (.444/.583/1.111).

Meanwhile, Mike Burns (2-4, 5.89) is facing the Astros for just the second time in his career. Burns made his major league debut as an Astro in 2005, and pitched one inning of scoreless relief against them on August 8, which is the last time he pitched. Even with that scoreless inning, Burns has posted a 6.75 ERA in his last four outings, and allowed a 1.043 OPS to opposing batters. He's only lasted six full innings in one of his six starts this season.

Mike Rivera started both Thursday and Friday this week, and responded by going 3-for-6 with three extra base hits and four walks, hitting .500/.700/.1.667 in two Brewer wins. So, of course, Jason Kendall and his .598 OPS are back in the lineup today: (h/t Tyler Barnes)

Felipe Lopez 2B
Craig Counsell 3B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Mike Cameron CF
Frank Catalanotto RF
Jason Kendall C
Mike Burns P
Alcides Escobar SS

And in the bullpen:

Claudio Vargas pitched one inning (21 pitches) last night.
Todd Coffey pitched one inning (17 pitches) last night.
Jesus Colome pitched one inning (12 pitches) last night.
David Weathers pitched one inning (34 pitches) Thursday.
Mark DiFelice pitched 1.1 innings (21 pitches) Thursday.
Trevor Hoffman pitched one inning (12 pitches) Thursday.
Mitch Stetter pitched .1 innings (three pitches) Thursday.

Enjoy the game!