Rangers Could Sweep
The Milwaukee Brewers have been playing their worst baseball of the season over the last month, but they may have hit a new low.
A day after closer Francisco Cordero blew his first save of 2007, the Brewers try to avoid getting swept by the Texas Rangers when the squads conclude a three-game series on Sunday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Oddsmakers have made Milwaukee -115 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for todays game, the over/under has been set at 11ev total runs (Matchup). Our public betting information shows that 64% of bets for this game have been placed on Milwaukee -115 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Milwaukee (33-29) is just 8-18 since May 13 and has been even worse on the road, losing 11 of 13 there during that stretch, including seven straight. The NL Central-leading Brewers led by three runs heading into the bottom of the ninth on Saturday, but the Rangers (23-39) rallied for a 4-3 victory.
Marlon Byrd’s RBI single tied the game and Michael Young singled up the middle to plate Kenny Lofton for the win. Cordero spent parts of seven seasons with the Rangers and was facing them for the first time since being traded to Milwaukee last July.
He entered the contest with a 0.36 ERA and had converted all 22 of his save chances in 2007, but couldn’t get it done Saturday.
"We knew he’d have an off night at some point, but we wanted to wait as long as we could before it happened," said Brewers manager Ned Yost, whose team has lost three straight. "He got two quick outs and a lot of two-strike counts, but couldn’t put them away. But it’s not devastating. We’re not dead. It’s a ballgame."
The Brewers are just 1-4 in interleague play this season and have dropped nine of their last 10 versus the AL. The Rangers, who own the second-worst record in the majors, are now trying to match their season-high winning streak set May 4-6.
They’ll have to do it without Mark Teixeira, who ended his franchise-record consecutive games streak at 507 when he went on the 15-day disabled list before Saturday’s game after straining his left quadriceps in Friday’s win. The Rangers’ first baseman underwent an MRI exam on Saturday and no tear in the quad was revealed.
"If there was any way he’d go out there, he would," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He would have loved for the streak to continue, but he also wants to do what’s best for the team."
Teixeira’s consecutive games streak was second among active players behind Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada’s 1,142. The Rangers activated Brad Wilkerson off the 15-day DL and he replaced Teixeira at first base.
They also completed a trade with Oakland for catcher Adam Melhuse, who will back up starter Gerald Laird.
Vicente Padilla (2-8, 6.45 ERA) will make his first June appearance for Texas after missing his last start due to right triceps irritation. The right-hander gave up seven runs and nine hits over a season-low three innings in his last trip to the mound on May 31, a 9-5 defeat to Seattle.
"(Padilla) is supposed to be your No. 2 guy … you expect him to keep you in the game," said Washington, whose team is just 2-10 in Padilla’s 12 starts.
Padilla, who is trying to avoid losing a third straight start, is 2-2 with a 3.75 ERA in six games versus the Brewers. He’ll be opposed by Dave Bush (3-6, 5.67), who has lost his last three decisions.
The right-hander allowed four runs and seven hits over six-plus innings in a 7-2 defeat to the Chicago Cubs on Monday. He has just one victory in his last eight starts with the Brewers, going 1-7 during that stretch.
Bush didn’t receive a decision in his only career appearance versus the Rangers on Sept. 12, 2004, giving up four earned runs and six hits over seven innings.
by: Dave Michaels – thespread.com – Email Us
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