The Brewers’ offense came crashing back to Earth in last night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants, managing just three hits in a shutout loss. While it wasn’t an ideal start to the series, Milwaukee was ultimately able to bounce back from a similarly rough offensive performance against the Rockies last weekend, scoring 19 runs over the final two games.
On the mound for Milwaukee is Logan Henderson, who at this point has thrown enough innings to move beyond the “small sample size” caveat.
Through eight starts, he owns a 3.05 ERA — which has nevertheless raised his career ERA to 2.54 — and his 0.94 WHIP is lower than it was last season. In his last outing, Henderson tossed five innings against the Mets, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out nine.
San Francisco will counter with Landen Roupp, who has quietly been one of the more consistent mid-rotation starters in baseball over the last three seasons. This year has been no different. Roupp enters tonight with a 3.93 ERA, almost identical to his career mark of 3.81, while his 1.24 WHIP and 2.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio are both career bests.
Before getting to today’s lineup, there’s been plenty of roster news.
— First, MLB.com Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy reported this morning that Jake Bauers suffered a broken toe after fouling a ball off his foot last night and is expected to miss some time. Later reports clarified that the injury is actually an “old fracture” he’s been playing through, meaning it’ll be a matter of pain management moving forward. He’s not in today’s lineup, but he also hasn’t been placed on the injured list.
— Sal Frelick and Kyle Harrison are both expected back next month. Harrison’s return is currently targeted for early August, while Frelick is expected back in early-to-mid August. Frelick received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder last week, and Harrison is scheduled to make a 75-to-80-pitch rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday.
— Infielder Braden Shewmake cleared waivers, declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville, and elected free agency.
Now, as for the lineup:
After going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts last night, Christian Yelich slides down to the cleanup spot. Brice Turang, who ranks second on the Brewers in on-base percentage behind Bauers, will lead off, followed by Jackson Chourio and William Contreras. Andrew Vaughn and Luis Lara, batting fifth and sixth while playing first base and right field, respectively, will both start with Bauers out. Rounding out the lineup are Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton, who’s getting the start at third base.
Today’s game will be broadcast on Brewers.TV, WTMJ 620, and the Brewers’ Radio Network, with first pitch set for 8:45 p.m.
