Detroit @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2018 ) Detroit 5, Milwaukee 6

The Milwaukee Brewers are keeping the heat on the first-place Chicago Cubs as they look to post their sixth straight victory when they host the Detroit Tigers on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague set. The Brewers defeated the Tigers 6-5 in the series opener to remain one game behind the Cubs in the National League Central race.

Milwaukee, which has clinched at least a wild-card berth, has won 20 of its last 27 games to make the Cubs sweat heading into the final weekend. Ryan Braun went deep twice on Friday for the second time in three games and has five homers and eight RBIs over his last four contests. The NL's leading hitter (.322) who is a strong MVP candidate, Christian Yelich has recorded eight blasts and 30 RBIs this month after homering in Friday's victory. The Tigers have allowed 26 runs during their three-game losing streak and are sinking to the finish with 13 setbacks in their last 18 contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Daniel Norris (0-5, 5.22 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Wade Miley (5-2, 2.32)

Norris is making his eighth start and 11th appearance of the campaign. The 25-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last turn as he gave up one run and six hits over five innings against Kansas City. Norris is starting on the road for the first time since Sept. 1, when he permitted two runs and one hit over 4 1/3 frames in a loss to the New York Yankees.

Miley is 3-0 over his last four starts, including two victories over the Cubs. The 31-year-old has walked fewer than two batters in seven of his last eight outings and owns a 1.18 WHIP in 15 turns with the club. Miley has posted a 6.19 ERA without recording a decision in three career starts against the Tigers, with two of the outings coming last season while he was with Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers rookie 2B Dawel Lugo hit his first career homer, a two-run blast, on Friday.

2. Braun has reached 20 homers for the ninth time in 12 major-league seasons.

3. Detroit LF Christin Stewart (abdomen) sat out the opener and could miss the entire series.

PREDICTION: Brewers 9, Tigers 4