San Diego @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2019 ) San Diego 1, Milwaukee 5

The Milwaukee Brewers stayed hot in the opening game of their final homestand of the season and they'll put a three-game winning streak on the line when they continue a four-game set with the visiting San Diego Padres on Tuesday. After winning two of three against the National League Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, the Brewers picked up a 5-1 victory in Monday's series opener with the Padres.

Milwaukee is 10-1 over its last 11 games to pull within three games of the Cardinals in the division and one game of the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card with 12 to play. Ryan Braun, who powered his team to a victory Sunday in St. Louis with his ninth-inning grand slam, had two hits and scored twice for the Brewers, while Cory Spangenberg drove in three to support a combined two-hitter in the series opener. Milwaukee gets a boost Tuesday in the return of All-Star Brandon Woodruff, who will make the start after nearly two months on the sidelines due to an oblique strain. He will be opposed by Padres rookie right-hander Chris Paddack.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Chris Paddack (9-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Brandon Woodruff (11-3, 3.75)

Paddack is finishing his first season with a flourish after some struggles after the All-Star break, going 2-0 while allowing one run in 18 1/3 innings over his last three starts. He yielded six hits in six scoreless frames to go along with seven strikeouts in a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The 23-year-old will be facing the Brewers for the first time.

Woodruff's last trip to the mound resulted in three rocky innings at Arizona on July 21. The 26-year-old, who is 9-0 with a 3.24 ERA at home, will be on a limited pitch count before giving way to veteran lefty Gio Gonzalez. Eric Hosmer is 5-for-13 with two homers and five walks against Gonzalez, who is 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA in eight career starts versus San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. Spangenberg has five RBIs over his last two games after recording a total of four through his first 19 contests.

2. Padres 3B Manny Machado was 0-for-3 on Monday to fall to 1-for-21 over a seven-game span.

3. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw launched a pinch-hit homer Tuesday for his first blast since June 23.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Padres 3