After dropping two of three to the Dodgers, the Brewers enter today’s finale against the Cardinals with a chance to complete a sweep and end their six-game homestand on a high note. Chad Patrick will go for Milwaukee opposite Dustin May.
This is Patrick’s first start since May 4, although it’s probably more of a multiple-inning opener situation than a true start for the right-hander, who hasn’t thrown more than four innings since April. Here’s what Brewers’ manager Pat Murphy said about his role a couple weeks ago:
”We know he’s a multiple-inning guy, but this role that he’s in right now could be used at the front end for four innings, or in the middle of the game for three or four innings, or in that one-inning role,” Murphy said.
Patrick has been excellent since moving to the bullpen, allowing just three total hits over 9 2/3 shutout innings while striking out nine.
Dustin May is the opposite of Patrick in that he’s made it through six innings in six of his last eight appearances. May’s season-long numbers (5.00 ERA, 1.426 WHIP) don’t look great, but that’s largely because he got shelled in his first two outings of the season. Since then, he’s been remarkably consistent, limiting opponents to three runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts.
Christian Yelich is back in the leadoff spot after going 3-for-5 last night. In fact, today’s lineup is… exactly the same as yesterday’s, which is kind of funny for a team that started the season with 47 straight unique lineups. Joey Ortiz and Andrew Vaughn will both come off the bench for the second straight game.
Today’s first pitch is set for 12:40 p.m. As usual, you can catch the game on Brewers.TV, WTMJ 620, and the Brewers Radio Network.
