Milwaukee rides a torrid stretch into Tuesday as the Brewers look to push their winning streak to 11 when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. ET.
Milwaukee enters with a 74-44 record, sitting 6.5 games ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Brewers’ 74 wins lead the majors, five clear of the Phillies, Tigers, and Blue Jays, who each sit at 69 wins.
The club has rolled on offense and pitching alike. Milwaukee averages 5.03 runs per game, just behind the league-leading Dodgers at 5.17. Its team ERA stands at 3.62, and the pitching staff is not far from the top, trailing only the Rangers’ 3.32 mark.
During their current streak, the Brewers have swept road series at Washington and Atlanta and followed with a home sweep of the Mets. They handled the Pirates 7-1 in the series opener on Monday.
The Pirates counter with a potential equalizer in NL Cy Young front-runner Paul Skenes, who owns a 7-8 record with a 1.94 ERA. The 6-foot-6 right-hander, who claimed National League Rookie of the Year honors last season, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 21 of his 24 starts this year. He has given up four earned runs or more on three occasions, with a season-high five.
Milwaukee will answer with Freddy Peralta, who is 13-5 with a 3.03 ERA. He’s been nearly unbeatable at home, going 7-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 12 home starts this season.
The latest MLB odds list the Brewers as -127 favorites (risk $127 to win $100) with the Pirates at +107.
What to watch:
– Skenes vs. Peralta in a matchup of two young, high-upside performers as the Brewers try to keep rolling and the Pirates seek a road upset.
– Milwaukee’s offense versus Pittsburgh’s pitching staff, particularly given Milwaukee’s recent run-scoring surge.
– The Brewers’ ability to extend their late-season momentum as they push deeper into August.
Additional context:
– A strong streak, top-three team ERA, and a big division lead give Milwaukee plenty of reasons for optimism as they aim to stretch this winning run.
– The matchup quality and recent form suggest another competitive game, with a likely focus on early scoring and bullpen management.
Summary:
Milwaukee aims to extend its streak against a Pirates squad led by Skenes, offsetting with Peralta on the mound and a lineup balancing power and efficiency. The club’s upward trajectory in both hitting and pitching positions them as continued favorites to maintain dominance in the NL Central.
If you’re looking for a hopeful take, Milwaukee’s depth, elite recent production, and strong home performance create a scenario where the Brewers can keep their momentum alive and push toward a double-digit win streak.