Can Brewers earn series split vs. Padres?
An unlikely team is rising in the National League West, but can the Padres keep the offense rolling as their set against the Brewers winds to a close?
San Diego shoots to take three of four from host Milwaukee this afternoon, with a 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Miller Park. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI remain partial to Craig Counsell’s club, though, listing it as a 1.5-run favorite. The over/under total rests at nine runs.
After leaning on its pitching for the better part of the week, San Diego (17-21) went with the long ball to dispatch the Brew Crew last night. Melvin Upton Jr. and Derek Norris clobbered back-to-back blasts in the top of the 12th to ensure the 8-7 victory. Upton has enjoyed a particularly successful series, going 7 for 12 with two homers.
He’ll attempt to give such support to Cesar Vargas (0-2, 3.54 ERA) today. The rookie hurler was 0-1 with a 1.10 ERA following his first three starts, but Tuesday’s assignment vs. the Cubs went south in a hurry. Chicago battered the youngster for six runs and 10 hits in four innings. Just as troubling: Vargas issued three free passes for a fourth straight contest.
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Thankfully for him, Milwaukee’s adversary on the mound continues to wrestle with his own considerable control issues. Kyle Davies (1-3, 6.29) has walked nine across the past 16 frames. He was razor-sharp against the Padres on Sept. 30, however, scattering five hits across seven innings.
Andy Green’s group is simply playing too well to ignore at the moment, and, most impressively, this run has materialized away from Petco Park. Another triumph over fourth-place Milwaukee (15-22) may not be as invigorating as a doubleheader sweep of the MLB-best Cubs, but it’s just another step in the right direction for a squad that suddenly looks very competitive. Roll with the visiting bunch.
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