Pittsburgh @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 4, Milwaukee 6

THE STORY: The NL Central champion Brewers will clinch homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs if they beat Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale on Wednesday, or if Arizona loses to Los Angeles. If Milwaukee loses and the NL West champion Diamondbacks win, Arizona would get homefield by virtue of its season series win over the Brewers. Milwaukee also can set a franchise record for wins Wednesday. The team’s 95 victories equals the mark set in 1979 and matched in 1982.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT, FSN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (0-2, 4.97 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zack Greinke (15-6, 3.86 ERA)

The 23-year-old Locke, making his fourth career start, has yet to go more than five innings. Batters are hitting .327 against him, and he has just two strikeouts against eight walks. Locke did pitch fairly well last time out, holding the Reds to one run over 4 2/3 innings.

Greinke likely will only pitch a couple innings as he is slated to work Game 2 of the NLDS on Sunday. Manager Ron Roenicke said he wants to give most of his relievers work so they’ll be ready for the playoffs.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (72-89): Pittsburgh is finishing its 19th straight losing season. Andrew McCutchen was back in the lineup Tuesday after taking a batted ball in his lower abdomen in Monday’s batting practice. He went 0 for 5 with a strikeout, stranding three. Ryan Doumit did not start for the fourth straight game Monday after taking a foul ball to his body Friday. He drew a walk as a pinch-hitter. Alex Presley is tied for the NL rookie lead with six triples. Neil Walker has eight doubles since Sept. 15 after doubling twice Tuesday off Randy Wolf.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (95-66): Prince Fielder’s first career three-homer game Tuesday gave him 38 homers this season, tying him with L.A.’s Matt Kemp for the NL lead. Nyjer Morgan missed the game with a bruised right shin. Yovani Gallardo will get the start in Game 1 of the NLDS after going 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA. He’s been brilliant in his last three outings (2-0, 1.77 ERA, 36K). Ryan Braun (.335) will try to overtake the Mets’ Jose Reyes (.336) to become the first Brewer to win a batting title.

FINAL PITCH: The Brewers have won 13 of their last 14 home games against the Pirates, and 42 of 48.