Milwaukee @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2012 ) Milwaukee 6, Philadelphia 7
Philadelphia's hopes of getting back into the playoff picture are hanging by a thread, which is exactly what the Phillies have done lately. Philadelphia's last five wins have come in one-run games, including a pair of late rallies in the first two contests of a three-game set against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. After scoring four in the ninth inning in Monday's opener and six in the eighth on Tuesday for a pair of 7-6 wins, the Phillies will send right-hander Vance Worley to the mound on Wednesday to try to finish the sweep.
The Brewers, who have lost 10 of their last 13 road games and are 18-29 away from Miller Park, wasted an outstanding performance from Zack Greinke on Tuesday and are likely to move the right-hander before next week's non-waiver trade deadline. That won't solve their bullpen woes, though - Milwaukee's 18 blown saves are tied with Colorado for the most in the National League. Tuesday's meltdown also wasted four Brewers home runs, which matched a season high.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Marco Estrada (0-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vance Worley (5-6, 3.82)
Estrada remains winless on the season but has pitched effectively since coming off the disabled list on June 26. He has a 3.58 ERA in four starts and one relief stint since his return. He notched a quality start Friday at Cincinnati with three runs over seven innings. Estrada will make his first start against the Phillies, but he is 0-0 with a 5.68 ERA in six relief appearances against them.
Worley has six quality starts in his last eight outings and appeared to be headed to a seventh Friday in San Francisco before a disastrous sixth inning. He retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced but was thrashed for five runs in the sixth. Worley has made one start against the Brewers and allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a loss last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies LHP Cole Hamels was reportedly on the verge of signing a six-year deal worth more than $137.5 million, according to FOX Sports. The contract would be the second-largest for a pitcher. New York's CC Sabathia inked a seven-year deal worth $161 million.
2. The Phillies have 17 comeback wins, and Tuesday's rally from a five-run deficit was their largest of the season.
3. Milwaukee relievers have a combined 4.76 ERA, third-worst in the majors ahead of only the Houston Astros (4.77) and New York Mets (5.10).