The Milwaukee Brewers face their biggest road trip of the season, a 10-game trip that takes them to Pittsburgh, Washington and Cincinnati. It starts tonight with the first of a 3-game series against the Pirates. Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are tied (74-72) for 3rd place, 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wildcard spot in the National League.
The Brewers have won 20 of their last 26 games, which has propelled them into contention.
The Brewers got back into the race by picking their entire game up. They’ve gotten consistent performances from their starting staff. The bullpen, which struggled for much of the first two-thirds of the season, has suddenly tightened their belts. And offensively, the Brewers are pouring it on. They lead the league in home runs (184) and runs scored (701).
Milwaukee has been money at Miller Park, winning 19 of their last 22 games. But they’re 28-43 on the road this season and that’s a problem. Road success has improved of late and the Brewers will need much more of that if they’re still going to be in the wildcard hunt when this 10-game trip is finished.
The Brewers moved Yovani Gallardo (15-8) up a day, so he’ll pitch the series opener against the Pirates tonight. A.J. Burnett (15-7) will go for the Pirates.