Yesterday was no fun. Hopefully today will be better.
There have been a couple links in the Mug recently talking about how Brewers not named Braun, Fielder, Greinke, or Plush are getting over-looked for the fine season they are having. Randy Wolf (11-8, 3.37 ERA, 4.19 FIP) is definitely one of those Brewers. What's been most impressive about Wolf this season has been his consistency. He's pitched at least six innings in every starts since June 8th (15 starts). He's only had four disaster starts this year. His last start was more of the same: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K against the Cubs. All of his main peripherals have improved this year compared to last year (except K/9, which is only down very slightly). If it were not for his 2009 season, this season would easily be the best season of Wolf's career.
Wolf has had some recent success against the Cards. In his last three starts versus them he is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA. Overall in his career against the Cards Wolf is 7-7 with a 3.80 ERA. Eight Cardinals have faced him at least 10 times
| PA | slash line | |
| Rafael Furcal | 47 | .244/.234/.333 |
| Albert Pujols | 46 | .270/.326/.486 |
| Matt Holliday | 40 | .242/.375/.485 |
| Lance Berkman | 36 | .100/.250/.167 |
| Yadier Molina | 32 | .219/.219/.406 |
| Ryan Theriot | 32 | .233/.281/.267 |
| Corey Patterson | 15 | .429/.429/.571 |
| David Freese | 12 | .333/.333/.333 |
Wolf will be facing Jake Westbrook (10-7, 4.75 ERA, 4.33 FIP). The righty Westbrook had a rough start to his season, but his numbers have slowly been improving since. But unlike Wolf who has been consistently good, Westbrook has been consistently mediocre. And his last start was more of the same: 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 5 BB, 3 K against the Pirates. Still, he hasn't allowed more than 4 ER in an outing since early July, and he's pitched at least 6 innings in eight of his last 11 starts. Westbrook will be carrying an unsightly 1.494 WHIP into tonight. He allows plenty of hits (9.9/9) and plenty of walks (3.5/9), both of which are above his career averages.
Westbrook last faced the Crew back on Aug. 10th, where he allowed 3 ER over 8 innings. In his career against the Crew Westbrook is 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA. Four Brewers have faced him at least 10 times.
| PA | slash line | |
| Mark Kotsay | 34 | .333/.424/.593 |
| Yuni Betancourt | 17 | .294/.294/.353 |
| Prince Fielder | 13 | .500/.538/.900 |
| Ryan Braun | 10 | .500/.600/.500 |
Tonight's lineup
Hart RF
Morgan CF
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
McGehee 3B
Betancourt SS
Hairston Jr. 2B
Kottaras C
Wolf P
In the bullpen...
Kameron Loe pitched 1 inning (14 pitches) yesterday.
Marco Estrada pitched 1 inning (24 pitches) yesterday.
Francisco Rodriguez pitched .1 inning (8 pitches) Sunday.
John Axford pitched 1 inning (17 pitches) Sunday.
LaTroy Hawkins pitched .1 inning (19 pitches) Saturday.
Takashi Saito pitched .1 inning (4 pitches) Friday.
Chris Narveson and Frankie De La Cruz haven't pitched in over a week.