Milwaukee @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2019 ) Milwaukee 2, Colorado 3

The Milwaukee Brewers could be without two key regulars Sunday when they battle for the National League Central title. The status of Ryan Braun and Lorenzo Cain will be major question marks when the Brewers look to salvage the finale of their three-game series against the host Colorado Rockies.

The Brewers are one game behind St. Louis in the division and need a win Sunday and a Cardinals loss to the Chicago Cubs in order to force a one-game tiebreaker Monday in St. Louis for the Central title. If the Brewers fall short Sunday, they’ll play at Washington on Tuesday in the NL Wild Card Game. Milwaukee entered the weekend with a seven-game winning streak but dropped the series opener 11-7 and lost 3-2 on Saturday after Josh Hader gave up a tying home run to rookie Sam Hilliard with two outs in the ninth inning and Trevor Story capped the comeback with a leadoff homer in the 10th against Matt Albers. Cain left the game in the ninth inning with a left ankle sprain and could be sidelined Sunday along with Braun, who was diagnosed with a mild left calf strain after being injured in Friday’s contest and is listed as day-to-day.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Adrian Houser (6-7, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jeff Hoffman (2-6 6.78)

Houser remained winless since Aug. 21 after giving up two runs over four innings against Cincinnati on Tuesday. The 26-year-old native of Oklahoma has not completed six innings in his last seven starts and is not expected to pitch deep into Sunday’s contest. Houser, who is making his first career appearance versus Colorado, owns a 3.17 ERA in 16 games (eight starts) at home this season compared to a 4.42 mark in 18 games (nine starts) away from Miller Park.

Hoffman was carted off the mound Tuesday after getting struck in the right knee by a comebacker, but X-rays were negative and he was cleared to pitch after throwing a successful bullpen session Thursday. The 26-year-old native New Yorker is looking to finish the season on a high note after posting a 64-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 14 starts covering 65 innings. Hoffman is facing Milwaukee for the first time since Oct. 1, 2016, when he allowed one run over five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers have qualified for the postseason in consecutive years for the second time in franchise history (1981-82).

2. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado has batted .339 with 19 home runs and 37 RBIs since Aug. 1.

3. Milwaukee 3B Mike Moustakas returned after not starting Friday's game because of a nagging sore left elbow and went 1-for-4 on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Brewers 11, Rockies 5