Pittsburgh @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 14, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 6, Milwaukee 4
A.J. Burnett seeks his 10th consecutive victory on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Pirates conclude a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnett has exceeded expectations after having season ERAs over 5.00 in each of the past two seasons with the New York Yankees. Pittsburgh All-Star Andrew McCutchen, who has four homers over the last three games, is batting .514 in July and leads the majors with a .366 average. Milwaukee has lost four of seven games.
The Pirates notched a 6-4 victory on Saturday to remain tied for first place with the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central. The defending division champion Brewers are in fourth place, eight games off the pace. Milwaukee is 1-1 during a crucial nine-game stretch against Pittsburgh, the third-place St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati. Reigning MVP Ryan Braun leads the National League with 26 homers and has gone deep 22 times in his career against Pittsburgh.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (10-2, 3.68 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (7-6, 3.74)
Burnett is 9-0 with a no-decision in his last 10 starts. He defeated the San Francisco Giants in his last outing on July 8 when he gave up two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Burnett has allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of his 15 starts. He is 2-2 with a 5.68 ERA in six career starts against Milwaukee.
Gallardo is just 1-1 over his last three starts despite giving up just three runs and 11 hits in 18 2/3 innings during the stretch. He has walked 12 batters during the span after issuing just seven bases on balls over his previous four outings. Gallardo is 7-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts) against Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. McCutchen has seven homers and 17 RBIs over his last 13 games.
2. Braun, who went 4-for-4 in Friday’s series opener, is 4-for-6 against Burnett.
3. Pittsburgh’s Clint Barmes is hitless in 13 career at-bats against Gallardo.