The Milwaukee Brewers (51-43, 22-19 home) face off against the Colorado Rockies (43-51, 15-28 away) after an epic 13-inning battle on Friday night. Milwaukee came away with a 6-5 victory, but it took four extra innings of action to pull out the victory. Friday’s matchup was the first meeting between the two teams this season.
The first pitch of Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EST inside American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers are a heavy favorite at -290, and the over-under total is 7.5 runs.
What to Know – Colorado Rockies
Colorado closed out the first half of the season, winning five of its last six contests, and hopes to get back on the winning track on Saturday. The Rockies are fourth in the National League West, 20 games back of the leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Right-hander Jose Urena (1-1, 2.05 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) is the probable starter for the Rockies. Urena will matchup against his former team after the Rockies acquired the 30-year-old midway through the season. In 26.1 innings on the mound, Urena has allowed six earned runs on 24 hits and 13 walks with 12 strikeouts.
C.J. Cron has enjoyed his time in Colorado, leading the Rockies with 21 home runs and 69 runs batted in. Cron’s efforts at the plate earned him his first All-Star appearance. Veteran Charlie Blackmon has also seen a resurgence at the plate, belting 25 home runs and driving in 57 runs.
The Rockies are second in the majors and first in the NL with a .261 team batting average that produces 4.6 runs per game. Colorado’s pitching staff is 28th in the MLB with a 3.86 team earned run average.
What to Know – Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee was swept by the San Francisco Giants to end the first half but bounced back in the second-half opener last night to maintain its position atop the NL Central. The Brewers hold a 1.5-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in what’s becoming a two-team race for the division.
Brandon Woodruff (7-3, 3.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) is the expected starter for Milwaukee. The right-hander picked up wins in two of his last four starts in the first half with no losses. Woodruff pitched 66.1 innings, surrendered 29 earned runs, 61 hits, 21 walks, and struck out 84.
The Brewers lineup doesn’t have the star power you typically see in a divisional leader, but it does have balance from top to bottom. Rowdy Tellez has 18 home runs and 57 RBIs, while Willy Adames leads the team with 20 home runs and has driven in 52 runs.
Offensively, Milwaukee scores 4.5 runs per game thanks to a .236 team batting average that’s 24th in the league. The pitching staff for the Brewers sports a 3.83 team ERA, 13th in the majors.
The Pick is In
The Rockies and Brewers faced off in a classic battle last night, and expect there to be a drop in offensive production after the late night. That is bad news for the Rockies, who struggle to score runs away from Coors Field. Woodruff limits the Rockies, and the Brewers’ offense pulls away late.
The Pick: Milwaukee Brewers
