Milwaukee Brewers to open three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates – MLB News
Milwaukee Brewers begin the last road trip of the this season on Tuesday, September 18, starting with a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The series comes at a very crucial time when both the Brewers and Pirates remain serious contenders for the Wild Card spot.
What comes as unsettling for the Pirates, nonetheless, is the fact that they have lost eight of their last 10 games. Compared to them, the Brewers have had remarkable resurgence, winning 20 of the 26 games they have played.
With both teams engaged in stiffening competition over the Wild Card race, the Pirates have to confront one of the accomplished starters in the National League Central, Yovani Gallardo.
Having 15-8 record this season, Gallardo has maintained a 3.72 ERA. What is phenomenal here, nonetheless, is the fact that he has won seven in his last nine games and will be looking for his eighth in 10.
"We know we have to keep it up," Gallardo said after his last start, an 8-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, further improving the Brewers record in the National League Central and bringing it almost back in the Wild Card race. "We're scoring runs, and the pitching is doing what it's supposed to do."
Brewers are now two and a half games behind the second Wild Card, the St. Louis Cardinals. Provided they win the series here, the way they beat the New York Mets in the last series, Brewers will have increased their chances to make it to the playoffs.
Facing Gallardo on Tuesday is the Pirates’ A. J. Burnett, losing his last game against the Cincinnati Reds.
“I tried to keep us as close as I could, and hope we would strike," Burnett said after the game. "Homer [Bailey] didn't allow us to. He showed up and threw the ball very well."
With two quality starters facing each other on Tuesday, respective teams will try to get the upper hand and make it to the playoffs with a Wild Card.
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