Pirates-Brewers Preview (5/13-5/15)

Brewers previews to get you ready for the series where we have five things to watch, pitching matchups and prediction. We add a YouTube video in the mix, it could be really anything.   

Pitching Matchups
Tuesday:      Gerrit Cole (3-2 3.64) vs. Marco Estrada (2-1 3.53)                7:10 pm FSNWI
Wednesday: Francisco Lirano (0-3 4.64) vs. Wily Peralta (4-2 2.17)           7:10 pm FSNWI
Thursday:     Wandy Rodriguez (0-4 7.65) vs. Yovani Gallardo (2-2 2.92)  12:10 pm 620 WTMJ

Five Things To Watch
1.) Bad blood anyone? - The last time these two teams met, the same two pitchers were pitching and Gerrit Cole chirped at Carlos Gomez after Gomez had bat flipped a triple leading to a big fight. Everyone is saying there will be no antics in this game, but I am thinking this first game will be chippy. Both teams want to set the tone of the series. I don't think Cole will try to hit Brewers players nor will Milwaukee do the same, but there will be many chippy things happening throughout the game. It should be a ton of fun. If nothing happens at all, I will be very bummed out. With how banged up Milwaukee is, a fight wouldn't be a good idea even though I love a good fight.

2.) Let's play everyone's favorite game... Guess the lineup!!!!! Let's say Carlos Gomez is suspended for the first two games of the series, Aramis Ramirez is headed to the Disabled List and Ryan Braun is coming off of it. I could see a lineup featuring Rickie Weeks, Jean Segura, Scooter Gennett or Logan Schafer hitting leadoff. I could see them moving Jonathan Lucroy to the clean up position. Hopefully, Ron Roenicke gets creative with his lineup versus going with something lazy by having both Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay in the same lineup. Here is the nine I want for the first two games but it's probably unrealistic.... 2B Rickie Weeks, 3B Scooter Gennett, RF Ryan Braun, C Jonathan Lucroy, 1B Mark Reynolds, SS Jean Segura, CF Logan Schafer, LF Khris Davis

3.) Marco needs to rebound from tough May start - After starting off the season strong, Marco Estrada has not been the same in May. In the first four starts of the season for Estrada, he had six walks combined with three of them coming in a single game against Boston. In the last two, Estrada has walked six. Additionally, home runs have been an issue with both Cincinnati and Arizona hitting two out on the Brewers righty. Estrada is still making it to the sixth inning which is good as he has went six or farther in all but one of his games, yet still, there needs to be a little more improvement from Estrada whether it is limiting his home runs or walks.

4.) More likely to break out... Wandy or Francisco? - Two of the three Pirates pitchers are struggling to star the season. Wandy Rodriguez is coming off the Disabled List to face Milwaukee, the last team he faced in April. He could return to his old school Brewer Killer form causing some chaos for a team that struggles during afternoon games at Miller Park. Liriano is another story. Six of his eight starts have seen the supposed Pittsburgh ace giving up at least three or four runs. One of the technically 'good' starts, Liriano only pitched two innings and the other one happened on Opening Day against Chicago.  

5.) Pittsburgh's not so hot road record - Pirates have played 23 of their first 37 games at home to start the year meaning there is not much to their away statistics yet. But right now, they have lost 10 of their first 14 games away from PNC Park including a sweep at Milwaukee in mid-April. It will be interesting to see if the road demons ride again, or if Pittsburgh reverses their luck.

Appropriate YouTube Video


You had to know it's coming....

Prediction
I am feeling two of three from Pittsburgh. If Milwaukee can do that, they would be 5-4 on this homestand which would be adequate. Although I will say it appears like Milwaukee is building a little May momentum after two late-inning wins.

Charlie.