Miller Park
Friday, May 30, 7:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
Saturday, May 31, 6:05 p.m. CDT – FSN-HD
Sunday, June 1, 1:05 p.m. CDT – my20watts
Well the Astros just pissed away a series in New Jake City but sit just 3.5 games back of the division leading Scrubs. The Brewers meanwhile are mired in mediocrity, two games below .500, but just took 2 of 3 from the Braves. I’m neck deep in the upcoming draft mania and actually like the Brewers so no grandness (right) and vitriol this time out. However, after looking over a few pictures I am moved to haiku.
I invite you to write your own.
It’s a Brewer drive for charity weekend. If you are in Milwaukee and going to one of the games bring new or gently used sports equipment. If you do you’ll get a special Corey Hart pin. If it’s not sunglasses shaped it’s crap.
Friday you can get some kind of Sports Authority coupon. Saturday is a JJ Hardy poster. And Sunday it’s a Ryan Braun bobblehead.*
*Stone glove not included.
Projected Matchups from Astros.com
Friday
Brandon Backe (4-5, 4.19) v. Manny Parra (2-2, 5.11)
Backe appears to have turned the corner as he has gone at least 6 innings in his last 4 starts including a 7 inning stint last time out against the Phillies. In that time his ERA has dropped half a run. Mike Cameron and Hart could be a problem. Brandon’s kept a reign on Bill Hall, Rickie Weeks, and Prince Fielder.
Parra got shellacked last time out by the Nats. The Astros pounded him in early May. In between he turned in 3 good starts. No telling what he’ll do tonight. He’s only faced the Astros once and like I said got pounded.
Saturday
Brian Moehler (2-1, 4.40) v. Ben Sheets, RHP (5-1, 2.93)
Your new #5 starter Moehler has put together a solid month of May as a starting pitcher. I can’t think of much else to say about the guy who outpitched Sampson for this spot. He’ll look to close out a very good month of May for the good guys. Jason Kendall has his number while the rest of the Crew either haven’t done well or have little track record against him.
Sheets has been healthy and effective all year with just one bad outing two weeks ago against the Dodgers. He’s got the sub-3.00 ERA and given up more than 4 earned only once. Moehler and the good guys will have their work cut out for them though they did hand him his only loss earlier this month. Berkman, Ausmus, Wigginton, Lee, Matsui, and Pence all have a good record against Sheets. Everyone else, nada.
Sunday
Shawn Chacon (2-0, 3.95) v. Dave Bush, RHP (1-5, 6.04)
Chacon remains the most consistent starter for the Astros and looks to start off June with a bang. Keep it up Shawn. Kendall and Hall rake him. The rest not so much.
Bush had been mediocre in May turning in 2 good starts and being beaten around in 3. Those 2 good starts were against the Braves and the Jakes, both Crew wins. Bless that man. But not too much. Berkman, Blum, and Loretta have had success against Bush.
Injury Report
Brewers – Eric Gagne has rotator cuff tendonitis. David Riske has an elbow problem. Yovani Gallardo tore up his right knee. Chris Capuano also has an elbow ouchie. Randy Choate has a broken hand. That’s 5 pitchers on the DL.
Houston – Geary and his groin are due to come off the DL Tuesday. Paulino is still getting on his own nerves.
Interesting Things To Look For
- Next week’s draft. Is there anything else?
- Oh, yeah. It’s Milwaukee. Beer and Bratwurst.
Discuss today’s game in the Gamezone.