Pitchers: Chad Kuhl (3-1, 3.62) opens the set against Wily Peralta (5-9, 6.00). Chad has given the Bucs solid work; five of his last six starts have resulted in two or fewer earned runs allowed. This will be the first time he's faced Milwaukee. Peralta was sent to the minors for a couple of months of tinkering after a very rough start. He's 1-2, 3.50 in three starts since returning, so he's not the train wreck his 2016 numbers would suggest. Wily has taken on the Bucs six times in his career, going 2-2, 3.55, but hasn't seen them since last season.
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| Chad Kuhl climbs the hill (photo Gary Vasquez/USA Today) |
Preview: The Pirates have lost nine straight matches at Miller Park and dropped 5-of-6 on their recent home stand while Milwaukee is on a season-high four game roll, not a very promising combination of events. The starting pitching has come around for Pittsburgh (and good thing; the Brew Crew has scored six or more runs in five of its last seven games) so maybe the sticks will find a little thunder to support the arms. But the hidden vigorish doesn't seem to come into play very often in this series. Since 2007, Milwaukee is 103-56 overall against Pittsburgh, a 65% winning percentage, and 64-17 at home.
- Seven of the Pirates next 10 games are against the Brewers, with a visit to Wrigley in between.
- Pittsburgh is 17-15 (.531) in one-run games this season. Last year, they were a phenomenal and quite fortunate 36-17 (.679).
- The Player's Association named David Freese as the Pittsburgh winner of the 2016 Heart & Hustle Award. He was presented with a crystal trophy before yesterday's game. Josh Harrison took the honor last season.
- Nick Kingham's rehab is moving along. He's been promoted to Altoona after tossing in the GCL and at then Bradenton.
- Jon Niese will be scoped to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. The Bucs checked him out in early July for knee pain but found nothing notable. We're supposing that his medical report went to NY before the deal.
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