The Major League Baseball season is rolling right along. The Milwaukee Brewers are rolling right along as well, while the same cannot be said for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Which team is going to rise in a crucial midweek series in the National League Central? We’ll find out soon enough. Pittsburgh got whacked by Milwaukee at home a few weeks ago, as the Brewers surged to the forefront in their division. Can the Pirates return the favor in Milwaukee and make up ground in the month of May, before their deficit becomes too large?
Series Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Milwaukee Brewers
Game 1: Tuesday, May 13
8:10 PM ET
Odds: Brewers -125
The Pirates will hand the ball to young starter Gerrit Cole, while the Brewers will send Marco Estrada to the bump. Cole has a 3.64 ERA, while Estrada has a 3.53 earned-run average. These pitchers are evenly matched, so what should one look for in this matchup? The Pirates are 16-21, seven games behind Milwaukee in the loss column. The Brewers are 24-14, giving them the best record in the National League and in all of Major League Baseball. The Pirates know that the Brewers are the team to shoot for in the Central right now. The Brewers set the standard, and Pittsburgh has to make sure that it can maintain contact with the Brew Crew. If Milwaukee pushes its lead over Pittsburgh to 13 games by the end of June, the Bucs might not catch up. Pittsburgh should play with a sense of urgency here. The Pirates are a good choice to win game one of the series.
Pick: Pittsburgh
Game 2: Wednesday, May 14
8:10 PM ET
This is a role-reversal pitching matchup. Francisco Liriano was Pittsburgh’s ace last season, but his ERA has been over four runs for much of this season. Liriano is pitching like an average pitcher, for the most part, even though his name and reputation suggest that he should be a lot better. On the other hand, Milwaukee pitcher Wily Peralta, an average pitcher in the past, is now pitching like a staff ace. Peralta’s ERA is a tidy 2.17, making him one of the most pleasant surprises and breakout players of the young season. Liriano might be able to become dominant in due time, and he could even be strong in this game. Yet, does Liriano merit such trust right now, and is he going to be able to outduel Peralta, who is on a roll? That’s not likely. Take Milwaukee.
Pick: Milwaukee
Game 3: Thursday, May 15
1:10 PM ET
This is a matchup you just don’t have to think twice about. It’s true that Pittsburgh starter Wandy Rodriguez is a big-league veteran. He’s been through a lot of battles. He has survived as a major leaguer. You don’t stay in the big leagues for many seasons if you don’t know how to carry yourself as a professional. There’s something to be said for the way Rodriguez has managed to sustain his career. However, he has a 7.65 ERA right now and might be on the verge of tumbling out of the majors. He’s making it hard for the Pirates to continue to give him the ball. Meanwhile, Milwaukee will go with staff ace Yovani Gallardo, who has a strong 2.92 ERA. You don’t need to overthink this matchup. Take the Brewers.
Pick: Milwaukee
