Milwaukee @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2019 ) Milwaukee 8, Arizona 3

The Milwaukee Brewers lost three of their first four games following the All-Star break but quickly have returned to form with their bullpen leading the way. The Brewers face the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series having won four of their last five contests.

Mike Moustakas belted a three-run homer and Christian Yelich went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs in Saturday’s 8-3 victory as Milwaukee improved to 7-2 in its last nine games against the Diamondbacks dating back to last season. Eric Thames added a solo shot for the Brewers, who moved one-half game ahead of Philadelphia and St. Louis for the second National League wild card. Freddy Peralta, Adrian Houser, Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress combined to pitch five scoreless innings of relief against the Diamondbacks, who fell 1 1/2 games back in the wild-card race. All-Star Ketel Marte recorded two hits in the loss and is batting .431 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in his last 26 contests.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Brandon Woodruff (11-3, 3.53 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Alex Young (3-0, 0.96)

Woodruff turned in another sharp outing on Tuesday, allowing one run with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings of a 13-1 victory over Atlanta. The 26-year-old native of Mississippi has given up just one earned run in each of his last three starts, going 2-1 with a 1.33 ERA over that stretch. Woodruff owns a 1-0 record and 2.57 ERA in two career games (one start) versus Arizona – including a five-inning performance in an 8-2 victory at Chase Field last season.

Young continued to impress on Tuesday, giving up one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 9-2 win over Texas. The 25-year-old has been a pleasant surprise for the Diamondbacks, posting a 3-0 record and 0.96 ERA in his first four appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Reno. “I think a lot of people are kind of shocked at how well I am doing right now,” Young told reporters. “For me, I am not surprised, because of the amount of time and effort I’ve put into it.”

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona OF Adam Jones went 9-for-18 in his previous four games before going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Saturday.

2. Milwaukee optioned RHP Burch Smith to Triple-A San Antonio to make room for LHP Gio Gonzalez, who started Saturday’s contest.

3. The Diamondbacks placed Matt Andriese on the 10-day injured list with a left foot contusion and recalled fellow RHP Stefan Crichton from Reno.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Diamondbacks 3