Today's Matchup: Milwaukee (Gallardo) vs. Arizona (Kennedy)

Milwaukee will try to avoid the series sweep today by banking on the arm of Yovani Gallardo (5.40 ERA, 5.40 FIP). With the lineups the Brewers are forced to run out, the pitching will have to carry the team.

Gallardo was just a little bit off in his first start on Opening Day. He frequently nibbles at the corners of the strikezone, but this time the umpire wasn't giving him much to work with. He ended up pitching just five innings due to an elevated pitch count. The Rockies scored three earned runs off of Gallardo on ten hits and a walk.

Gallardo has been spectacular in his second start of the season the last two years. After pitching terribly against the Cardinals to open the 2012 season, he had one of his best outings against the Cubs when he gave up a run on five hits and a walk over seven innings. Two years ago, his second start was a complete game two-hit shutout of the Atlanta Braves.

Gallardo was great against the Diamondbacks in two starts last year. Over 14 total innings, he gave up just one earned run on eight hits. Gallardo has faced five current Diamondbacks' hitters at least 10 times. Here is how they have fared:

For the Diamondbacks, Ian Kennedy (2.57 ERA, 0.94 FIP) will take the mound. He was great in their season opener against the Cardinals, going seven innings and allowing just two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.

Kennedy broke out in a big way back in 2011. He finished up that year with a 2.88 ERA and 3.22 FIP. He maintained an 8.03 K/9 and 2.23 BB/9. He fell back to a 4.04 ERA in 2012, however, despite his strikeouts and walks being similar to his 2011 numbers. His HR rate jumped to 1.21 per nine innings and his BABIP went back to average levels.

Kennedy had one good and one bad start against the Brewers last year. In his first he gave up four runs in 5.2 innings. In his second, he gave up just one run in seven innings. Kennedy has faced three current Brewers hitters at least ten times in his career. Here is how they have fared:

Lineup:

Aoki RF
Gomez CF
Jean Segura SS
Rickie Weeks 2B
Alex Gonzalez SS
Logan Schafer LF
Jerkface 1B
Martin Maldonado C
Gallardo P

In the Bullpen:

• Brandon Kintzler pitched 1 inning (10 pitches) and also pitched Friday.
• Alfredo Figaro pitched 2 innings (56 pitches) yesterday.
• Chris Narveson pitched 1 inning (18 pitches) yesterday.
• Mike Gonzalez pitched 0.2 innings (21 pitches) Friday.
• Tom Gorzelanny pitched 1 inning (14 pitches) Friday.
• Burke Badenhop pitched 0.1 innings (13 pitches) Friday.
• John Axford pitched .2 innings (18 pitches) Wednesday.
• Jimmy Henderson pitched one inning (eleven pitches) Wednesday.