Current Series
3 game series vs Reds @ Miller Park
Cincinnati Reds Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009, 7:05 PM CDT Bronson Arroyo vs Jeff Suppan Partly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. Complete Coverage > | ||
| Wed 08/26 | 7:05 PM CDT | |
| Thu 08/27 | 1:05 PM CDT | |
What a difference two months can make. On June 9, the Brewers were 33-25 and had a 2.5 game lead on three teams tied for second place. One of those teams was the 30-27 Reds. Since then, the two teams are a combined 50-82, and are now a combined 28.5 games back of the Cardinals. Tonight, they play for little more than temporary amusement, but hey, Jeff Suppan is back!
Follow the jump for tonight's pitching matchup, lineup and conversation on tonight's game!
Bronson Arroyo (11-12, 4.56) is quietly putting together a solid season, leads the Reds in wins and by the end of the night he'll likely also lead them in innings pitched (Aaron Harang, who is done for 2009, leads him by one inning at present). His record doesn't show it but he's been very good lately: He's just 1-2 in his last four starts but has posted a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings of work and held opponents to a .570 OPS. He's allowed one earned run in his last 17 innings of work, with eight strikeouts and two walks. He pitched a complete game shutout against the Brewers on July 10.
Meanwhile, Jeff Suppan (5-8, 5.27) is making his first start since going down with an oblique strain on July 27. He went 0-4 with a 6.55 ERA in the eight starts leading up to his injury, and hasn't won since June 12. He also went 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA in two rehab starts. If you're looking for a silver lining, here's one: Suppan wasn't terrible his last time against the Reds, allowing three runs (none earned) in six innings of work and picking up the loss.
Craig Counsell and Casey McGehee get the start tonight, as Alcides Escobar takes the night off: (h/t Tyler Barnes)
Felipe Lopez 2B
Craig Counsell SS
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Casey McGehee 3B
Mike Cameron CF
Frank Catalanotto RF
Jason Kendall C
Jeff Suppan P
And, with the demotion of Hernan Iribarren today to make room for Suppan, the Brewers have another extra arm in the bullpen:
David Weathers pitched one inning (9 pitches) last night, and also pitched on Sunday.
Claudio Vargas pitched two innings (30 pitches) last night.
Mitch Stetter pitched one inning (15 pitches) last night.Mark DiFelice pitched 1 inning (12 pitches) Sunday.
Carlos Villanueva pitched 2.2 innings (56 pitches) Sunday.Chris Narveson last pitched on Saturday.Todd Coffey last pitched on Saturday.Trevor Hoffman last pitched on Saturday.Mike Burns last pitched on on Saturday.
Enjoy the game!