Milwaukee @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 11, 2010 ) Pittsburgh 5, Milwaukee 6
It wasn’t very long ago when Chris Capuano was considered a rising star in the Milwaukee Brewers’ system.
His breakout 2005 season, which ended with 18 victories, was followed by an All-Star Game appearance in 2006.
Four miserable years followed, but Capuano has been given another chance on Monday when he takes the hill in place of Doug Davis against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Davis returned to the disabled list just 10 days after he was activated. The hurler missed two months with inflammation in the lining of his heart, but is now shelved indefinitely with left elbow tendonitis.
All of which serves as an opportunity for Capuano, who is back in the majors for the first time since 2007. Capuano began the 2007 season with a 5-0 mark before the Brewers lost the next 22 games he pitched - a staggering streak of bad luck that was followed by his second Tommy John surgery before 2008.
Capuano last just 3 2/3 innings back on June 3 in his only other start this season. That was followed by seven consecutive appearances out of the bullpen. Now he gets a crack at Pittsburgh, which is suddenly the hottest offensive team in the league.
The Pirates tried making up for a decade of misery in just two days, pounding out 17 hits against the Houston Astros on Saturday and following that up with 19 hits on Sunday. The 36 hits are the most for the franchise in consecutive games since the Pirates totaled 39 in two games on Sept. 16-17, 1975.
But even the best of news comes with a storm cloud for the beleaguered franchise. Star Andrew McCutchen, who leads the team in hits, runs and steals, sprained his neck while making a diving catch on Sunday. He will be re-evaluated on Monday.
McCutchen has been one of the few bright spots on the worst team in the National League. The Pirates entered the All-Star break with the lowest team average in baseball (.235) and averaging the lowest runs total (3.23).
Only three batters on the team are hitting above .270, and McCutchen’s team-high .289 average leaves Pittsburgh without a .300 hitter.
The Brewers have their own concerns, mainly within the pitching staff. Ace Yovani Gallardo is expected back this week, but Davis’ injury and Manny Parra’s inconsistency – he was ripped Sunday for the fourth consecutive outing – leaves Milwaukee thin on starters.
Parra matched a career-high with 10 runs allowed in just 5 1/3 innings on Sunday against the Braves and his spot in the rotation seems flimsy, particularly if Capuano pitches well Monday against the Pirates.