Milwaukee @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 9, 2018 ) Milwaukee 3, Miami 4

The Milwaukee Brewers haven’t lost a series in nearly a month, but they’ll need a win Tuesday in the second of three games at the Miami Marlins to maintain that streak. The Brewers aim to avoid a second straight loss to the last-place Marlins, and their first consecutive defeats since June 30 and July 1 at Cincinnati.

Miami won the series opener 4-3 in 10 innings despite Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar’s NL-best 23rd home run. The Marlins stunned the Brewers’ usually dominant bullpen, as Starlin Castro and Brian Anderson hit back-to-back homers off All-Star left-hander Josh Hader in the seventh and scored the game-winner against closer Corey Knebel. Miami has won two straight following a three-game skid and is looking to win a third consecutive home series. The Brewers have won or split their last six series, and Monday’s loss was just their second in eight contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (7-3, 3.63 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (1-0, 5.73)

Chacin was excellent Thursday, holding Atlanta to two runs and three hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts. The 30-year-old has only six quality starts in 19 outings, but he has allowed two or fewer runs 12 times. Chacin is 2-4 with a 4.33 ERA in eight games (six starts) against Miami.

Lopez will make his third big-league start as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing outing Thursday at Washington. The 22-year-old Venezuelan was handed a nine-run lead but gave up five runs over five innings in a game the Nationals rallied to win. Lopez pitched well in his only previous home start, allowing two runs over six innings to beat the New York Mets on June 30.

WALK-OFFS

1. Aguilar is 6-for-15 with four homers and eight RBIs over his last four contests.

2. Castro is 17-for-35 during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain is 4-for-8 in two games since coming off the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Marlins 4