Pittsburgh @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( May 16, 2013 ) Milwaukee 1, Pittsburgh 7
The Pittsburgh Pirates helped the Milwaukee Brewers climb out of the National League Central cellar this week, and now they'll try to return them to the bottom of the division standings when the teams begin a three-game series Friday at Miller Park. The Pirates have won four straight and 11 of 13 after sweeping the Chicago Cubs in three games to help the Brewers leapfrog the Cubs. The Brewers have lost 16 of their last 20 after dropping two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin a eight-game homestand.
The four-game streak matches the longest of the season for Pittsburgh, which looks to right-hander A.J. Burnett to keep the momentum going. Burnett is 2-5 with a 4.87 ERA in 10 starts against the Brewers and has lost his last three decisions against them, including one May 13 in which he allowed a season-high four runs (three earned) over seven innings in a 5-1 defeat. Milwaukee right-hander Marco Estrada has fared better with the Pirates, going 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 games (seven starts) against Pittsburgh.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (3-4, 2.57 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Marco Estrada (3-2, 5.44)
Burnett's career rebirth continues in Pittsburgh, as he has recorded five straight quality starts and has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his 10 outings this season. He is winless in his last three starts, though, despite solid outings in all of them, and he took a no-decision last time out while allowing one run over seven innings against Houston.
Estrada has just one quality start in his last four outings, and the other three have been rough. The one strong outing came against Burnett and the Pirates, though, as he held Pittsburgh to one run on three hits over seven innings in a 5-1 win 11 days ago. He took a no-decision last time out at St. Louis, allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is 12-for-26 over his past six games with five multi-hit games during that stretch. McCutchen is 7-for-22 with two homers against Estrada.
2. Brewers LF Ryan Braun is 6-for-14 against Burnett but does not have an extra-base hit against him.
3. The Brewers are 0-19 when scoring fewer than four runs and 2-17 when allowing more than four.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Brewers 3