Brewers Go for Four
Miami, FL – While trying to continue their rebound from a recent rough stretch, the Milwaukee Brewers are hoping their series against the Florida Marlins plays out like the one earlier this month.
In their attempt to put a tough May behind them, the Marlins will try to repeat last season’s performance at home against the Brewers.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com have made the Marlins -110 moneyline favorites for Monday’s game against the Brewers. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 54% of more than 95 bets for this game have been placed on the Marlins -110.
The teams open a four-game set Monday night at Land Shark Stadium with Milwaukee searching for its fourth straight win.
After dropping six of eight heading into a home series against Cincinnati, the Brewers (30-20) completed a three-game sweep with Sunday’s 5-2 victory. Mike Cameron homered for the second time in as many games and drove in three runs, but Prince Fielder’s two-game homer streak ended.
Despite going hitless in three at-bats Sunday, Fielder ended May with a .315 average, nine homers and 31 of his NL-best 48 RBIs. With three home runs and seven RBIs from May 12-14, he fueled Milwaukee’s home sweep of the Marlins.
That launched the Brewers on a season high seven-game win streak, and their pitching staff recorded a 2.29 ERA in that time. During its 2-6 stretch, they had a 5.35 ERA and batted .228, but improved in both areas against the Reds – 2.67 ERA and .284 average.
"Cincinnati had been playing very well," manager Ken Macha said. "It was a nice rebound after losing five out of six.”
Milwaukee, however, could use a better performance from Jeff Suppan (3-4, 5.23 ERA) if it wants to continue its roll. On Tuesday night, Suppan was tagged for five runs in 3 2-3 innings in a loss to visiting St. Louis.
The veteran right-hander gave up a season-high three home runs and has allowed 12 this season – tied for fourth most in the NL. Suppan has given up at least one in four straight starts against Florida, and suffered a 3-0 road loss last season.
The Marlins (23-28) turned that win into a three-game sweep of Milwaukee and could use a strong performance against the Brewers to begin June. After winning 14 games in April – including a franchise-best 11-1 start, Florida was 9-20 in May and is 4-13 at home since April 24.
The Marlins went 3-3 on a road trip that concluded with Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Mets. Hanley Ramirez had three hits, but his teammates contributed only three more for Florida, which is batting .244 this season – fourth worst in the majors.
The Marlins pitchers, meanwhile, have posted a 2.66 ERA over their last seven games but are 4-3 in that span. Chris Volstad allowed three runs over seven innings Sunday but couldn’t win his third straight start.
"(Volstad) was outstanding. We just didn’t get the big knock," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He really deserved a better fate."
Ramirez, who is 5 for 9 since returning to the starting lineup Saturday from right groin tightness, has batted .400 (30 for 75) in 19 career games versus the Brewers and is 5 for 12 against Suppan.
Andrew Miller (1-2, 4.55) will make his first start against Milwaukee. He comes off a 5-3 defeat Tuesday night in Philadelphia despite yielding two earned runs for his third straight outing since returning from a strained right oblique.
Posted: 6/1/09 6:00AM ET