Milwaukee @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2018 ) Milwaukee 0, Pittsburgh 3

The Milwaukee Brewers' quest for the National League Central division title took a big hit Saturday, but they have a chance for a series win Sunday in the finale of a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates. A 3-0 loss Saturday dropped the Brewers 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the division, and their lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the top wild-card spot was cut to two games with seven to play.

Christian Yelich had one of Milwaukee's five hits and its only walk as it fell to 6-12 against the Pirates this year. The Brewers (88-67) leave Pittsburgh after Sunday's contest to begin a crucial three-game set at St. Louis before closing the regular season with three at home against Detroit. They will try to enter that stretch on a good note behind veteran lefty Wade Miley, who starts the finale opposite rookie Nick Kingham. Starling Marte had a two-run double to lead the way Saturday for the Pirates (78-75), who have won six of seven but trail the Cardinals by seven games with nine to play.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Wade Miley (5-2, 2.08 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Nick Kingham (5-6, 4.69)

Miley is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in three September starts after holding Cincinnati scoreless over five innings en route to his third win in as many starts Monday. He has gone through five straight starts without allowing a home run and surrendered just three in 73 2/3 innings on the year. The 31-year-old gave up two runs in five innings in each of his first two matchups - a pair of no-decisions - with the Pirates in 2018.

Kingham will be making his first start since Sept. 2 after scheduled starter Joe Musgrove was scratched. The 26-year-old rookie last pitched Sept. 8 against Miami and allowed a run in two innings of relief. Kingham is 2-0 with a 5.27 ERA in three meetings (two starts) against the Brewers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain (ribcage soreness) was not in the starting lineup for the third straight time Saturday but came off the bench to hit in the eighth inning.

2. Musgrove (abdomen) was scratched from his scheduled start and will not pitch again this season.

3. Milwaukee is 8-16 on Sundays and 80-51 on all other days.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Pirates 4