Today's Matchup: Milwaukee (Gallardo) at Reds (Bailey)

Yovani Gallardo (5-6, 4.74 ERA, 4.03 FIP) had his best start of the season during his last outing. Against the Miami Marlins, he allowed just four hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings. His strikeouts still aren't there--he only sat down four Marlins on strikes--but he did reach 1000 Ks for his career, so there's that. That "best outing of the year" also came after two consecutive five-run outings. Gallardo hasn't had any real disastrous outings, but at the same time, he hasn't shown any prolonged stretches of being a dominating pitching in 2013.

Playing against the Reds might not be the way to build in his latest success for the Brewers pitcher, however. Current Reds' hitters have a combined .862 OPS against Gallardo. Five Cincinnati hitters have faced Gallardo at least ten times. Here is how they have fared:

For the Reds, Homer Bailey will take the mound. As Bailey has entered his prime, he has really improved. His 2012-2013 seasons have been vastly better than his first five years in the majors. Over thirteen starts, this season has easily been his best yet. Over 13 starts, he has a 3.47 ERA and a career best 9.0 K/9. He has also brought down his homer numbers while maintaining a good walk rate.

Bailey is also coming off one of his best starts of the season. Against the Cubs, he threw eight innings, allowing four hits and one unearned run.

Bailey has faced three current Brewers at least ten times. Here is how they have fared:

Lineups:

In the bullpen:

• Burke Badenhop pitched 0.1 innings (7 pitches) last night.
• John Axford pitched 1 inning (22 pitches) last night.
• Francisco Rodriguez pitched 1 inning (11 pitches) last night.
• Brandon Kintzler pitched .2 innings (9 pitches) last night.
• Michael Gonzalez pitched .1 inning (11 pitches) last night.

• Tom Gorzelanny pitched one inning (nine pitches) on Wednesday.
• Jim Henderson last pitched on Tuesday.
• Donovan Hand last pitched on Monday.