Reds-Brewers Preview (6/13-6/15)

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 

Friday: Homer Bailey (7-3 4.60) vs. Matt Garza (4-4 4.42)       7:10 pm FSNWI

Saturday: Mat Latos (0-0 0.00) vs. Yovani Gallardo (4-4 3.71) 6:15 pm FOX

Sunday: Mike Leake (3-6 3.61) vs. Marco Estrada (5-3 4.56)   1:10 pm FSNWI

Five Things To Watch 

1.) Ryan Braun - It seems like we talk about this topic every two weeks. Braun goes hot for a little bit then cools off and it has become a theme of the season thus far. Braun struggled in the last road trip, but he has good success against Bailey plus he had a home run off Leake in the past. I mentioned in Highlights-Lowlights earlier this afternoon, I think Braun needs to get back to playing at hitter-friendly parks. I think he does well this weekend. 

2.) Matt Garza's Solid June - All of the sudden, Garza has seen his ERA dip about a half of run in the last two starts. He is quietly pitching well for the Brewers. He handled Minnesota nicely and did an adequate job in Pittsburgh.  Garza will be up against a tough Cincinnati lineup whose handled him well in the past. Garza needs to keep staying the course and not try to do too much.  

3.) Return of Mat Latos - He makes his first start of the season on Saturday night. He struggled mightily against the Brewers last season with nearly six runs given up in three starts, the highest ERA against an NL Central team. He had two starts at Miller Park which one he didn't get any run support and the other was brutal for him. First starts are always tricky because they could feature the best a pitcher has to open their year or just a disaster. 

4.) Mike Leake's problems... Dodgers and Giants-related or nah? - In the last two starts, Mike Leake has given up a total of 10 runs. But the opponents he faced where both Los Angeles and San Francisco, two of the stronger offensive teams in Major League Baseball. He also getting little run support with six of his last eight starts, the Reds have put up three or less runs. Brewers had one of those in a 2-0 victory in early May. 

5.) Bullpen adjustment - Milwaukee used their bullpen a lot in the last couple of days. Brandon Kintzler is probably not playing tonight after throwing 40 pitches last night. Will Smith might be a shaky one with pitching in the last two games. It is nice to have Mike Fiers there in case Garza doesn't have it tonight or Milwaukee needs multiple innings. 

Appropriate YouTube Video 

In honor of Father's Day, we are going with a montage HBO put together for the Game of Thrones finale about how bad Fathers have been in the show. 

Prediction 

Brewers will take two of three games. It would be nice for them to actually win the first one because I am there tonight. Reds always make me nervous. 

Charlie.