There's a lot of scenarios and possibilities in play tonight but I feel like this sums it up: If the Brewers win tonight, they're guaranteed to avoid the Phillies in the NLDS and to open at home. Here's hoping they can make it happen.
They'll start things off with Zack Greinke (3.86 ERA, 3.01 FIP), who is:
- Starting on three days rest for just the second time in his career and the first time since 2007.
- Three strikeouts away from reaching 200 for the second time in his career.
- The NL leader in strikeouts per nine with 10.7.
Greinke struggled in his last outing on Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits to the Marlins over five innings, walking five and striking out six.
This is his fourth outing against the Pirates: He's allowed 14 runs on 19 hits over 19 innings in the previous three. The only current Pirates that have faced him ten times or more are Ryan Ludwick (.000/.083/.000) and Andrew McCutchen (.200/.273/.500).
He'll face Jeff Locke (4.97 ERA, 4.84 FIP), who is:
- Making career start #4 in his first major league season.
- Striking out 1.42 batters per nine and walking 5.68 in his early major league appearances.
- The owner of a 3.70 ERA in 28 appearances between AA and AAA this season.
Locke last pitched on Friday, when he allowed a run on six hits to the Reds over 4.2 innings. He walked 2 and struck out one in the game. He's facing the Brewers for the first time.
Tonight's lineup is as follows:
Corey Hart RF
Jerry Hairston Jr 3B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Rickie Weeks 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Jonathan Lucroy C
Carlos Gomez CF
Zack Greinke P
Enjoy the game!