New York @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 12, 2014 ) Milwaukee 5, NY Mets 1

The Milwaukee Brewers are fresh off a sweep and look to continue their momentum when they open a four-game series against the New York Mets on Thursday. Milwaukee held Cincinnati to six runs while sweeping the three-game set and the Brewers slugged six homers over the final two contests. New York took two of three at Seattle – including Wednesday’s 3-2 win – and is 3-3 during a 10-game road excursion.

Mets third baseman David Wright had a pair of two-hit outings in the series against the Mariners and has recorded multiple hits in four of his last nine games. Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun went 5-for-12 with a homer and three RBIs in the series against the Reds and is 17-for-43 during an 11-game hitting streak. First baseman Mark Reynolds hit two homers in Wednesday’s victory for his second multi-homer outing of the campaign.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Dillon Gee (4-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-7, 4.04)

Gee has struggled against Milwaukee, compiling a 6.75 ERA while losing all three career starts. He lost to the San Diego Padres in his last turn when he allowed four runs and five hits despite striking out eight in five innings. Gee is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA in four road starts this season.

Garza is coming off a miserable start in which he retired just one batter while allowing five runs, five hits and two walks in a loss to the Washington Nationals. The poor outing followed a stretch in which he gave up just two runs and five hits over 16 2/3 innings while splitting a pair of decisions. Garza has a 1.93 ERA in two career starts against New York.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets SS Ruben Tejada left Wednesday’s game after being struck in the head by a pitch and is questionable for the series opener.

2. Milwaukee 2B Scooter Gennett (quadriceps) sat out Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati and might not return until Saturday or Sunday.

3. New York RF Curtis Granderson, who is expected to return from a two-game absence due to illness, is 7-for-24 with four doubles and a homer against Garza.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Mets 6