The Milwaukee Brewers salvaged a season series split with the Chicago White Sox, winning both games in Chicago after losing two in Milwaukee. Now at 5-5, the Brewers will return home to face division rival Cincinnati. The Brewers will also be going up against former teammate Mike Moustakas. “Moose,” a Brewers’ fan favorite during his time with Milwaukee, signed a four-year $64 million contract with the Reds this offseason. It is reportedly the largest free agent contract in team history.
Brewers’ Projected Starters
The Brewers will send Eric Lauer to the bump in game one of this series. Lauer is making his first Brewers’ start, but second overall appearance. He last pitched in the Brewers’ third game of the season. On that day against the Cubs, Lauer recorded six strikeouts in an eight-our relief appearance. He did not allow a run.
Brett Anderson will get the nod for the Crew in the second game. Anderson missed his first scheduled start of the season due to a blister. He did, though, make his second scheduled start, which did not last very long. Anderson pitched just three innings (52 pitches) giving up five hits and two runs. He took a liner off his foot facing the first batter of the game, which may have contributed to the short outing. Joey Votto is hitting .364 against Anderson in 11 career at bats.
Brandon Woodruff will get the nod for game three in a battle of the aces. Woody is 1-1 on the year with a 2.08 ERA and 21 strikeouts. Joey Votto has had Woodruff’s number, as well, during his career. Votto is hitting .667 in nine at bats with two home runs.
Reds Projected Starters
The Reds will counter with Tervor Bauer to start the series at Miller Park. Bauer has been lights-out so far this season. In his last start, Bauer threw a seven-inning complete game in the second game of a doubleheader against Detroit. For the season, he has a 1-0 record with a 0.68 ERA and 20 strikeouts. There are several Brewers’ players who have had success against Bauer in the past, however. Most notably, Avisail Garcia is hitting .300 against him in 30 at bats with two home runs.
Anthony DeSclafani will start the second game for the Reds. In his season debut, DeSclafani threw five scoreless innings in a no-decision. He currently carries a 0-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and two strikeouts. Christian Yelich has a had a lot of success against DeSclafani in the past. To date, Yeli is hitting .444 against him with two home runs in 18 at bats.
Reds ace Sonny Gray will start the third and final game of the series. Gray is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA on the season. He also has recorded 28 strikeouts in his three starts. Justin Smoak and Christian Yelich have each hit home runs off of Gray during their careers, but the rest of the team has had very little success against him.
Christian Yelich Loves Facing the Reds
Reminder: Christian Yelich hit for the cycle twice against the Reds during his 2018 MVP season. He seemingly has broken out of his slump with a 1-2 effort against the White Sox that included an inside-the-park home run and four walks.
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