After beating the Chicago Cubs 5-4 today, the Brewers avoided a series sweep over their NL Central rivals. They will next travel to Baltimore for a three game series with the Orioles beginning tomorrow. Baltimore was swept in their opening series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here is what you need to know about this upcoming series.
Pitching Matchups
Tomorrow will be a 2 PM first pitch as this is Baltimore’s home opener. The Brewers will start Adrian Houser in his 2022 opener. Baltimore will counter with Bruce Zimmerman, his opening start as well. Tuesday will be Eric Lauer for Milwaukee and TBD for the Orioles. Wednesday will conclude with TBD for the Brewers and John Means for Baltimore.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Aaron Ashby gets the start on Wednesday. He pitched well against Chicago even though he took the loss opening day. Craig Counsell has mentioned Ashby will get starts this year. I think this would make sense as well because Thursday is the Brewers home opener against St. Louis. I would expect ace Corbin Burnes to make the start in the Brewers home opener.
Can The Brewers Keep The Bats Hot?
The Brewers' first home run of 2022 belongs to Willy Adames, who hit a Marcus Stroman sinker very hard and very far. pic.twitter.com/e4pngbpVOz
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 10, 2022
It took three games, but the Brewers were able to hit three home runs in the finale today. Willy Adames and Mike Brosseau recorded solo home runs. Rowdy Tellez also hit a two run home run in the sixth inning.
Getting runners on base was not a problem for the Brewers in this first series. Getting them in was the problem. In fact, the Brewers had their lead off man in seven of the nine innings opening day. They had plenty of chances against the Cubs bullpen, but wasn’t able to complete the comeback and fell 5-4. It’s probably a game more times than not the Brewers find a way to win.
The Pitching Has To Be Better
The dominant trio of Corbin Burnes-Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta was not very good this weekend. Burnes hung a slider down the middle of the plate that resulted in a two run home run. All three struggled to throw strikes and did not last into the sixth inning. Peralta struggled in the first inning but bounced back nicely.
Adrian Houser and Eric Lauer are solid and reliable fourth and fifth starters in a rotation. This is a series the Brewers should take at least two of the three games, if not a series sweep. Baltimore is one of the worst teams in the league and has been for quite some time. Excluding the shortened 2020 season, Baltimore has lost at least 100 games every year since 2018.
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