Current Series
3 game series vs Pirates @ PNC Park
Milwaukee Brewers Monday, Aug 17, 2009, 6:05 PM CDT Carlos Villanueva vs Kevin Hart Clear. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 85. Complete Coverage > | ||
| Tue 08/18 | 6:05 PM CDT | |
| Wed 08/19 | 6:05 PM CDT | |
Finally, after months of going 52-57 against other teams, the Brewers get another series against the Pirates, who they're 6-2 against in 2009 and 20-3 against since the start of the 2008 season.
Follow the jump for tonight's pitching matchup, lineup and conversation on tonight's game!
Kevin Hart (3-2, 3.69) is facing the Brewers for the first time as a Pirate, and has struggled since leaving the Cubs, posting a 6.35 ERA over two starts. Hart has allowed 17 hits in 11.1 innings as a Pirate, but has struck out nine and walked just two over those appearances. Hart pitched two scoreless innings at the end of an 11-2 loss to the Brewers on July 4. The entire Brewer roster has faced him a combined 16 times and hit .273/.467/.273.
Meanwhile, Carlos Villanueva (2-9, 5.80) is hoping to avoid becoming the first Brewer to rack up ten losses in 2009. He still hasn't won since May 25, and has posted a 6.80 ERA over 25 appearances (41 innings) since then. He wasn't terrible last time out, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He threw 91 pitches in that outing, so he should finally be stretched out and able to go somewhere around 100 tonight, if his performance merits it.
The Brewers are 13-6 when Mike Rivera starts this season and 45-53 when Jason Kendall starts. So, of course, Jason Kendall is in the lineup again tonight, for the third straight day: (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
Carlos Villanueva P
Alcides Escobar SS
And in the bullpen:
David Weathers pitched .2 inning (32 pitches) yesterday, and also pitched on Saturday.
Claudio Vargas pitched one inning (15 pitches) yesterday.
Mitch Stetter pitched .2 innings (13 pitches) yesterday.
Jesus Colome pitched .2 innings (5 pitches) yesterday.
Mark DiFelice faced one batter (5 pitches) yesterday.
Todd Coffey pitched one inning (9 pitches) Saturday.
Trevor Hoffman has not pitched since Thursday.
Enjoy the game!