Milwaukee (82-61) will face off against San Francisco (71-73) on Wednesday night at 9:45 PM ET at Oracle Park. The last encounter between these teams occurred in late August, where the Brewers claimed two out of three games in Milwaukee.
(This article was prepared before the results of late Tuesday night games.)
Brewers Poised for NL Central Clinch
Milwaukee holds an 8.5-game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central as of Tuesday night. Their magic number to secure the division was 10 games. The Brewers had a tough series against Colorado, losing two out of three games at home and dropping four of their last five overall. A lack of offensive production was evident in their 4-1 loss to the Rockies, where they managed only three hits. Rhys Hoskins stood out as the only player to drive in a run. This series could have greatly benefited from the presence of outfielder Christian Yelich, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season. Before his injury, Yelich boasted a .315 batting average with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs across 270 at-bats. Willy Adames leads the team with 30 home runs and 101 RBIs, while rookie sensation Jackson Chourio has impressed with a .275 average, 19 home runs, 20 steals, and 69 RBIs.
The Brewers are currently ranked sixth in ERA (4.83), ninth in batting average (.250), and 11th in OPS (.735). Their pitching has been more consistent, as they rank third in ERA (3.59) and eighth in WHIP (1.22), but they sit at 29th in quality starts with only 39.
Right-hander Colin Read will take the mound for Milwaukee against the Giants. He has struggled in his last two outings, each lasting just four innings. In his last performance against the Reds, he gave up two home runs, contributing to a 5-3 loss. His past encounters with the Giants were not favorable either, allowing seven runs over 12 innings last season. This season, the 34-year-old holds a record of 12-4 with a 3.72 ERA, striking out 122 batters in 150 innings, but he has also surrendered 24 home runs.
Giants in Need of a Winning Streak
The San Francisco Giants enter this series with a two-game winning streak, yet they find themselves 7.5 games behind Arizona for the last Wild Card spot. Their recent series against San Diego saw them take two out of three games after a rough stretch of losing five out of six games to Arizona and Miami. Their latest victory was a nail-biter, edging the Padres 7-6, highlighted by home runs from Matt Chapman, Jerar Encarnacion, Luis Matos, and Curt Casali. Erik Miller secured the win in relief, following a solid performance from Spencer Bivens, who allowed only one run in 4.1 innings.
Despite their offensive success, the Giants’ defense fell short, nearly squandering a 6-0 lead. Errors from shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald and first baseman Jerar Encarnacion led to a heated exchange in the dugout, indicating underlying issues in communication. Manager Bob Melvin addressed the situation, emphasizing the need for improvement in their defensive play.
San Francisco’s pitching staff has taken a hit with injuries to key players like Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, and Robbie Ray. Matt Chapman continues to shine, leading the team with 23 home runs and 71 RBIs, while Heliot Ramos contributes with 20 homers and 67 RBIs.
On the mound for the Giants will be ace Blake Snell, who has a 2-3 record and a 3.62 ERA with 116 strikeouts. His last outing against Arizona was cut short after just one inning, where he allowed one run. An error by Fitzgerald and a passed ball added to his struggles in that game.
Key Betting Insights for Brewers vs. Giants
Given Blake Snell’s recent performance, he remains a strong candidate for bettors to support. Known for his prowess on the mound, Snell is on the lookout for a substantial contract. His home record shows promise, boasting a 2.96 ERA in 10 starts, along with an impressive strikeout rate of 69 batters in 48.2 innings at Oracle Park. Colin Read, while reliable, faces challenges at night with a 4.40 ERA compared to his day performance of 2.99. With the Giants fighting to stay in playoff contention, this matchup holds significant importance for both teams.
