Pittsburgh @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2010 ) Pittsburgh 3, Milwaukee 17
The last time Milwaukee Brewers starter Randy Wolf pitched against Pittsburgh, his teammates gave him an early four-run lead that ballooned to a 20-0 final for the worst loss in Pirates' history.
Wolf might not get a 20-spot on Tuesday at Miller Park, but considering the team's dominance over the Pirates, he still might get plenty of backing.
Milwaukee simply loves playing Pittsburgh, especially at home where the Brewers have won the last 22 games.
The Brewers outscored the Pirates, 36-1, in their three-game sweep last week. In the last four games, they've outscored them, 53-4.
Wolf isn’t the pitcher the Pirates want to see, considering he's owned then in his career.
Lost in the 20-0 onslaught last week was the solid pitching performance of Wolf, who went six
scoreless innings and only allowed six hits.
Overall in his career against the Pirates, Wolf is 8-1 with a 3.15 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 13 games.
The Pirates are struggling in every phase of the game. Starting pitchers are a combined 3-12 and the bullpen has failed in most of the games.
Pittsburgh's pitching has been so bad against the Brewers that Milwaukee pitchers have had their share of success at the plate. Last week, Wolf went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and on Monday Yovanni Gallardo had a two-run double and RBI single.
Tuesday’s game would have been Pittsburgh pitcher Daniel McCutchen’s start, but he was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday following three shaky outings.
The Pirates added pitchers Brian Burres and Brian Bass from the minors last weekend and they were candidates to start but they were needed in relief on Sunday in a 10-3 loss to Houston.
So, the ball goes to Jeff Karstens, who was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis where he has made four relief appearances and one start this season. He has allowed 13 runs in 16 innings on 21 hits and is 1-2 with a 7.31 ERA.