The Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox continue a interleague series Saturday night at Fenway Park
Milwaukee Brewers at Boston Red Sox
Milwaukee suffered a 10-4 defeat to Boston Friday night at Fenway Park in its first visit to the historic venue since being swept in a three-game series in 2008. The Brewers have now lost four of their last five games, all on the road, as their road record fell to 14-23. “Obviously we’re going to have to learn to play better on the road,” said Brewers outfielder Corey Hart. “We’ve lost four out of five and could have easily won three out of five.” The club has still tallied a 25-12 mark since May 9, which is the best record in the National League over that span and second in baseball to this weekend’s opponent. Milwaukee is 93-107 all-time in interleague games, but posted an improved 9-6 mark last year. In 28 games against winning teams, the squad is 20-8 this season.
Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf is 4-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 14 starts this season and the club has won four of his last five outings. He received a no-decision in his last start, tossing seven shutout innings on the road against the Cubs, while scattering six hits and striking out seven. Wolf has made four starts in a row without receiving a decision, registering a 2.08 ERA. The left-hander has posted a 2-3 mark and 3.72 ERA in eight road games. In five career games versus the Red Sox, he is 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA, including a 1-1 mark and 2.79 ERA in three appearances at Fenway Park.
Boston has scored 10 or more runs in three of six games and was led by first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who went 3 for 4 with a home run last night. The former Padres star is batting .435 with six home runs and 17 RBIs over his last 16 games. “I faced Marcum last year. It’s something that I was able to try to get a game plan against him,” said Gonzalez. “The other guys were guys that I’ve never faced, but they left pitches out over the plate that I put good swings on.” Boston is now 3-1 during interleague play this season and 26-6 versus winning teams.
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester is 9-2 with a 3.73 ERA in 14 starts this season and has won back-to-back games entering tonight. Over those two contests, both on the road against the Blue Jays and Yankees, he allowed four runs combined in 14 innings. The left-hander has suffered both of his losses at night this season, posting a 4.74 nighttime ERA compared to a 1.95 daytime mark. Lester is tied for the most wins in the Majors this season and was happy with his last performance. “Fastball command was pretty good,” Lester commented. “That’s probably the best changeup I’ve thrown in a while.”
Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 14-3 record versus left-handed starters, while the Brewers are 0-5 in their last five road games versus southpaws
