Milwaukee @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2013 ) Milwaukee 4, Arizona 5
After surviving a recent tumble, the Arizona Diamondbacks will vie for a four-game series sweep of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The Diamondbacks were unceremoniously swept by National League West rival Los Angeles prior to righting the ship versus the Brewers. Arizona emerged victorious for the sixth time in as many contests against Milwaukee on Saturday as Didi Gregorius, Miguel Montero and Jason Kubel homered in a 5-4 triumph.
While the NL Central cellar-dwelling Brewers are going nowhere fast, Jonathan Lucroy certainly has been going the extra mile. He belted a two-run shot in the sixth inning on Saturday for his career-high 13th homer - and fifth in seven contests. Lucroy is just 1-for-7 against Arizona's scheduled starter, Ian Kennedy.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN (Arizona)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (6-9, 4.82 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (3-5, 5.31)
Peralta extended his scoreless streak by pitching a three-hit masterpiece against Cincinnati on Tuesday for his first career complete game. The 24-year-old Dominican also scattered three hits - albeit over 5 1/3 scoreless innings - in a no-decision versus Washington on July 2. Peralta, who has yet to face Arizona in his career, has served up just 10 homers in 19 starts this season.
Kennedy, who is vying for his first win since June 1, was touched for six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-1 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday. The 28-year-old walked away with a no-decision after permitting four runs in six innings against Milwaukee on April 7. Kennedy has struggled with his command, issuing multiple walks in five of six outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun is eligible to return from bereavement leave after sitting out the required three games.
2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt saw his nine-game hitting streak come to an end on Saturday.
3. The Diamondbacks have been out-hit in all three games of the series.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Brewers 3