On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Brewers (72-52, 1st NL Central) visit the St. Louis Cardinals (61-63, 2nd NL Central) for the first game of a three-game series. The Brewers recently swept the Cleveland Guardians with a 2-0 victory on Sunday, marking their fifth consecutive win and extending their lead in the National League Central to 11 games over the Cardinals. Meanwhile, St. Louis is struggling, having lost six of their last seven games, including a close 2-1 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Both teams will be missing key players, with Milwaukee sidelining nine pitchers along with position players Christian Yelich and Blake Perkins. The Cardinals will also face challenges, as they will be without four pitchers and position players Mike Siani and Matt Carpenter.
Milwaukee’s Offensive and Defensive Strengths
The Brewers are performing impressively in multiple hitting categories, ranking 3rd in on-base percentage (.331), 8th in batting average (.254), and 10th in runs scored (594). Willy Adames leads the team with 22 home runs and 85 RBIs, while Rhys Hoskins follows closely with 20 home runs. Notably, Milwaukee boasts a balanced offensive lineup with 11 players contributing between 23 and 85 RBIs. They have accumulated 355 extra-base hits this season, including 189 doubles and 133 home runs across 124 games.
On the mound, Milwaukee ranks 2nd in earned run average (ERA) with 3.66, showcasing their pitching prowess despite being 28th in Quality Starts with just 33. Colin Rea has emerged as a key contributor with 11 wins and an ERA of 3.52, while Freddy Peralta leads the team with 162 strikeouts. Frankie Montas is set to take the mound on Tuesday, holding a 5-8 record with an ERA of 4.86 and 96 strikeouts this season.
St. Louis: Facing Challenges in Performance
The Cardinals have been struggling this season, currently ranking 13th in batting average (.245) and 24th in runs scored (508). Alec Burleson leads St. Louis with 21 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Nolan Gorman and Paul Goldschmidt are tied for second with 19 home runs each. The team has recorded 336 extra-base hits, consisting of 182 doubles and 130 home runs through 124 games.
On the pitching side, St. Louis ranks 20th in ERA at 4.17 and 25th in batting average allowed (.252). Sonny Gray has been a bright spot for the Cardinals, leading the team with 11 wins and 168 strikeouts. Erick Fedde, who will start on Tuesday, has a solid ERA of 3.40 since joining the team, with an overall record of 8-6 and 120 strikeouts.
Key Insights for Brewers vs. Cardinals Matchup
The Brewers have established a commanding 11-game lead in the National League Central, while the Cardinals struggle to stay in contention for the wildcard, trailing by five games. Milwaukee’s recent success includes five straight wins and a solid record of six consecutive victories at home against St. Louis. The Brewers have also triumphed in eight of their last nine matchups against the Cardinals. Conversely, St. Louis has lost six of their last seven games, indicating a downward trend in performance.
Frankie Montas has been effective since joining the Brewers, recording three solid starts and helping Milwaukee secure victories in each game. In contrast, Erick Fedde’s performance has been inconsistent, allowing 16 hits and 10 runs over 16 innings since joining St. Louis, contributing to two losses in his three starts. This matchup presents an opportunity for the Brewers to capitalize on their current form against a struggling Cardinals team.
