Minnesota @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( May 20, 2018 ) Milwaukee 1, Minnesota 3

The Milwaukee Brewers didn't receive any help in the standings from the Minnesota Twins after the latter surrendered 35 runs en route to dropping a three-game series to the Chicago Cubs. The National League Central-leading Brewers (48-35), who are clinging to a half-game advantage over the Cubs, bid to vent their frustration Monday in the opener of a three-game interleague set against the visiting Twins (35-45).

Milwaukee's offense in Sunday's 8-2 setback to Cincinnati was reduced to Ryan Braun's two-run homer in the ninth inning, with the blast preventing the club from being shut out for the 11th time this season. The 2011 NL Most Valuable Player has answered a 2-for-18 stretch with eight hits -- including two homers -- and five runs scored and four RBIs in his last seven games. While Milwaukee has lost five of eight both overall and at Miller Park, Minnesota's troubles away from Target Field continued as it found itself in an early eight-run hole before dropping an 11-10 decision Sunday to fall to 15-25 on the road. Brian Dozier, who belted a two-run shot in the series finale, has two homers among his five hits during the first six contests of the nine-game road trip.


TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-6, 3.48 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Brent Suter (8-5, 4.28)

Gibson dropped his second straight start and fell to 1-5 in his last eight trips to the mound Wednesday after allowing five runs on a season-high 11 hits in a 6-1 setback at the Chicago White Sox. The 30-year-old began the eight-game stretch with another five-run outing versus Milwaukee, against which he served up two homers and walked four batters. Gibson has flustered Travis Shaw (0-for-8, three strikeouts), although Brad Miller (6-for-15) has gotten his licks in on the hurler.

Suter saw his second three-start winning streak come to a halt Wednesday after yielding four runs on six hits in as many innings of a 5-4 setback versus Kansas City. The 28-year-old pitched decidedly better in his last meeting with Minnesota, allowing one run while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-3 triumph on May 18. Suter kept the ball in the park in that contest, but has since surrendered seven homers in as many outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota C Mitch Garver is 9-for-15 with a homer, three RBIs and five runs scored in his last six contests.

2. Milwaukee OF Hernan Perez is 2-for-19 with six strikeouts in his last six games.

3. Twins LF Robbie Grossman has back-to-back multi-hit performances and three in his last six contests.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, Brewers 2