Philadelphia @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2012 ) Milwaukee 6, Philadelphia 7
The Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers didn't have wait too long to see their respective seasons fall of the tracks. The starting pitchers for Thursday's opener of a four-game set can easily relate to their teams' struggles as Cliff Lee and Marco Estrada prepare to take the mound. Philadelphia did enjoy the last laugh when the clubs got together last month, posting a trio of 7-6 triumphs as Milwaukee's beleaguered bullpen imploded in each game.
The Brewers' bullpen once again snatched defeat in the jaws of victory on Wednesday after Colorado completed a three-game sweep with a 7-6 victory. Milwaukee has dropped five of its last six to plummet out of contention while Philadelphia saw its three-game winning streak come to an end after a 9-2 loss to Miami on Wednesday.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WB17 (Philadelphia), FSWI (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cliff Lee (2-7, 3.85 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Marco Estrada (0-5, 4.36)
Lee's last effort versus Milwaukee left a lot to be desired. The 33-year-old yielded six runs - and matched career highs by allowing four homers and 12 hits - in a no-decision on July 24. Like much of his season, Lee labored in his last outing - permitting four runs on 10 hits in a 4-1 loss to St. Louis on Saturday.
Estrada is still looking for his elusive first victory after lasting just four innings in his previous outing. The 29-year-old Mexican struggled in his last start versus Philadelphia, permitting five runs and eight hits in four innings on July 25. Estrada has made seven career appearances against the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee's Ryan Braun requested to be a bystander on Wednesday after hitting just 6-for-42 (.143) over his last 10 games. The reigning National League MVP is 6-for-13 with a homer in his career versus Lee.
2. Philadelphia's Chase Utley saw his modest five-game hitting streak come to an end, but he is 3-for-3 with three doubles in his career versus Estrada.
3. The Brewers lead the majors with 23 blown saves - and have lost 23 times on the opponent's final at-bat.