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The Brewers have built up some momentum against the Pirates and Cubs. Now, it is time to carry that momentum to other opponents. They'll have their first shot to do that today in a special Labor Day afternoon game against the Marlins.
Starting for the Brewers today is Mike Fiers (2.85 ERA, 2.60 FIP). After two rough outings against the Rockies and the Phillies, Fiers has settled down and gone back to pitching the way he had been. In his last two starts, he has 14 IP and allowed nine hits, four runs, and three walks, while striking out sixteen. He was particularly good in his last start, holding the Cubs to one run over 7.1 IP.
Mike Fiers has only faced the Marlins once before. In a start at Miller Park on July 5, he allowed two runs in 7.1 IP, also allowing nine hits and a walk to go along with nine strikeouts. No current Marlin has more than four plate appearances against him. The current Marlins are a combined five-for-eighteen against Fiers with one double, one walk, and six strikeouts.
For the Marlins, it will be Ricky Nolasco (4.78 ERA, 4.10 FIP). Nolasco has been on a downward trend over the last few years. His K/9 has dropped from an impressive 9.49 in 2009 to 5.81 in 2012. His ERA has hovered in the 4.50 to 5.00 range over his career, while his FIP has climbed from 3.35 in 2009 to 4.10 in 2012.
Nolasco has six pitches he has used this season: a four-seam fastball (90 MPH), a slider (82.8 MPH), a two-seam fastball (89.8 MPH), a curveball (74.5 MPH), a changeup (81.8 MPH), and a sinker (80.7 MPH).
Ricky Nolasco has faced five Brewers ten times or more. Here are the results:
| PA | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | |
| Rickie Weeks | 15 | .500 | .533 | .857 | 1.390 |
| Corey Hart | 14 | .417 | .429 | .667 | 1.095 |
| Nyjer Morgan | 14 | .286 | .286 | .357 | .643 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 13 | .333 | .385 | .583 | .968 |
| Ryan Braun | 11 | .273 | .273 | .364 | .636 |
Today's lineup:
Norichika Aoki RF
Rickie Weeks 2B
Ryan Braun LF
Aramis Ramirez 3B
Corey Hart 1B
Jonathan Lucroy C
Carlos Gomez CF
Jean Segura SS
Mike Fiers RHP
In the bullpen:
John Axford pitched one inning (15 pitches) yesterday and one inning (26 pitches) Saturday.
Kameron Loe pitched 1.1 innings (22 pitches) yesterday.
Jose Veras pitched one inning (13 pitches) yesterday.
Francisco Rodriguez pitched one inning (9 pitches) yesterday.
Manny Parra pitched to two batters (10 pitches) yesterday.
Jim Henderson pitched one inning (18 pitches) Saturday.
Livan Hernandez pitched 1.1 innings (40 pitches) Thursday.