Milwaukee @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2013 ) Arizona 8, Milwaukee 7

Yovani Gallardo's name has been linked to a number of trade rumors and one of his reported pursuers is the Arizona Diamondbacks. If that's true, Gallardo will have an audition of sorts Thursday when he takes the mound for the visiting Milwaukee Brewers against the Diamondbacks in the opener of a four-game series. Arizona is well aware of the impact Gallardo can provide - the right-hander is 6-0 with a sparkling 1.62 ERA in eight career starts vs. the Diamondbacks.

Arizona's lead in the National League rest sits at 1 1/2 games following a three-game home sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks will be looking for a solid outing from left-hander Wade Miley on Thursday after using eight pitchers in Wednesday night's 14-inning loss to the Dodgers. All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt drove in a pair of runs Wednesday and has seven RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Arizona (Phoenix)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallaro (7-8, 4.45 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (5-7, 4.06)

Gallardo went three straight starts without allowing an earned run last month, but he has been knocked around for 17 runs over 13 innings in his last three outings. He managed to snap a two-start losing streak last time out despite giving up four runs over six innings in a 7-6 win over the New York Mets. He did struggle against Arizona on April 7, allowing four runs on nine hits in six innings but received a no-decision.

Miley halted a five-start winless streak last time out with perhaps his best effort of the year, limiting Colorado to one run on five hits in a season-high eight innings. He did not pitch poorly during the five-game drought, yielding a total of nine earned runs, but he did surrender five homers during that span. Miley won at Milwaukee in early April, striking out a season-high eight and giving up one run in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 12-for-30 lifetime against the Brewers and went 3-for-3 against Gallardo in the April matchup.

2. Brewers CF Carlos Gomez is 3-for-8 with a double and triple against Miley.

3. Diamondbacks closer Heath Bell blew his fifth save Wednesday and has given up at least one run in seven of his last 11 appearances.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Diamondbacks 3