Friday in Milwaukee: JT Brubaker v Adrian Houser; Feliz On IL, Poppen In

Today's Game: First pitch is at 8:10 and the game will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. The Brewers are 6-2 in their last eight games, sparked by great starting pitching over that span (0.59 ERA in 46 IP with 55 K). More cool weather, btw - cloudy skies and high-30's temps at game time.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Phil Evans 3B; Bryan Reynolds LF; Colin Moran 1B; Jake Stallings C; Gregory Polanco RF; Kevin Newman SS; Dustin Fowler CF; JT Brubaker P. About as good as it gets right now.

Dustin Fowler trying to take command in center - photo Pirates 2021

Pitchers: RHP JT Brubaker (1-0/1.93) opens the set against RHP Adrian Houser (1-1/1.80). JT has done a good job of limiting damage (his FIP is 4.64) and has helped himself by averaging a whiff per inning. In his last start against the Cubs, he was quite solid and much more efficient than in his first outing, and his development into a dependable arm would boost the Bucco rebuild. Bru started twice against the Brew Crew last year with no decisions and a 4.00 ERA. Houser has been up-and-down in his career, and like JT has outperformed his FIP (4.84) so far this year. Control and pitch count have kept both his 2021 starts to five frames. He's faced the Buccos six times, split between starting/bullpen, with a slash of 1-2/6.00.

Notes:

• RHP Michael Feliz was placed on the 10-day IL with a cracked fingernail and replaced by RHP Sean Poppen.
• The taxi squad for this road trip consists of  3B Todd Frazier, LHP Chasen Shreve, RHP Miguel Yajure, and C Andrew Susac, with OF Jared Oliva as the expected replacement for RHP Sean Poppen, who was just moved to the active roster.
• Todd Frazier and OF Brian Goodwin both have May opt-out dates as part of their contracts, so their clock is ticking.

Tomorrow's Game: Game time is 7:10 and the contest will be aired by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. Trevor Cahill takes on Brett Anderson.