Pittsburgh @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2013 ) Milwaukee 4, Pittsburgh 0
The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to maintain at least a share of their division lead when they visit the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of their three-game series Monday afternoon. Pittsburgh captured the first two contests of its three-game set against St. Louis to overtake the Cardinals for first place in the National League Central. But the Pirates dropped the finale on Sunday to fall back into a tie atop the division.
Justin Morneau went 1-for-3 in his debut with the Pirates after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Fellow newcomers Marlon Byrd and John Buck each had an RBI single as Pittsburgh was unable to complete the three-game sweep. Milwaukee took two of three in Pittsburgh last week before being swept in a three-game interleague series at home by the Los Angeles Angels.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Charlie Morton (6-3, 3.14 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Tyler Thornburg (1-0, 1.94)
Morton looks to post his fourth consecutive victory and sixth in seven decisions. The 29-year-old kept Milwaukee in check on Wednesday, allowing just an unearned run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. The triumph was the first in five career decisions against the Brewers for Morton, who has posted a 5.17 ERA in eight outings versus his NL Central rivals.
Thornburg makes his first start since Aug. 14, when he allowed two runs - one earned - over six innings of a no-decision at Texas. The 24-year-old has made four relief appearances since that outing, yielding a total of two runs in 4 1/3 frames. Thornburg has come out of the bullpen to face Pittsburgh three times in his career, giving up one run and three hits over 7 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Thornburg has allowed one earned run over 18 innings in three starts this season.
2. Byrd has recorded five RBIs in as many games since being acquired from the New York Mets on Tuesday.
3. Milwaukee acquired RHP Michael Blazek from St. Louis as the player to be named in the John Axford deal. Blazek posted a 6.97 ERA in 11 relief appearances with the Cardinals this year, his first in the majors.
PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Brewers 1