The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to lock up a series victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon at American Family Field, as trade deadline acquisition Dustin May will make the start opposite Braxton Ashcraft for Pittsburgh.
After dropping Monday’s series opener by a 4-3 final, the Crew has rattled off a pair of 4-2 wins the last two nights with some solid pitching and timely hitting. They’ll look to make it three straight victories today.
May, 28, was a third-round pick by the Dodgers
back in 2016 before debuting with them in 2019. He had a few solid albeit injury-riddled seasons to begin his career before struggling mightily in 2025 between the Dodgers and Red Sox. In 2026, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Cardinals, where he pitched to a respectable 4.38 ERA, 3.14 FIP, and 106 strikeouts across 109 innings before being shipped to Milwaukee on Monday. May made two starts against Pittsburgh while with the Cardinals this season, totaling 11 1/3 innings with six runs allowed and nine strikeouts.
On the other side, Ashcraft, 26, is a former second-round pick in his second major league season. He’s been solid this season, with a 3.96 ERA, 3.52 FIP, and 140 strikeouts over 127 1/3 innings, earning an All-Star selection as the replacement for Paul Skenes. Ashcraft faced the Brewers less than a month ago in Pittsburgh, pitching five innings with five runs allowed on five hits and two walks, striking out six in a no-decision as his offense bailed him out.
In the lineup, Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, and Garrett Mitchell fill the top third of the order. Andrew Vaughn, Christian Yelich, and Luis Lara bring up the middle, with Gary Sánchez batting seventh as the catcher. David Hamilton and Cooper Pratt round things out.
First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
