Don’t expect a low-scoring contest in this battle between NL Central foes.
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers
Houston fell 7-5 in the middle game of a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. The Astros came into the contest winners of four of their last six games, but now find themselves needing a victory to salvage an even record in June (13-14, +450). Tuesday’s starting pitcher Brett Myers fell to 1-6 on the road, but carries a 4-0 record at home. The right-hander came into the contest with a 4-1 mark and 1.94 ERA in nine previous appearances against the Brew Crew. The Astros can definitely look forward to the calendar turning to Wednesday, as the team has captured eight straight games. They are 9-3 overall on the day of the week, which is their best record of any day (+790).
Astros SP Wandy Rodriguez is 4-10 with a 5.64 ERA in 15 starts (-340), which is very different from his 14-12 record and 3.02 ERA in 2009. The left-hander is 1-6 with a 6.50 ERA in eight road outings (-250), allowing opponents to hit .326 against him. He snapped a three-game losing streak last time out in picking up a 7-5 home victory over the San Francisco Giants. Rodriguez will look to even his career record against the Brewers, posting a 5-6 mark and 4.76 ERA in 15 games (14 starts). Houston has lost his last four outings away from Minute Maid Park, getting outscored by a 35-12 margin.
Milwaukee received a big lift from its star first baseman, picking up its sixth win on a current nine-game homestand that ends today. Prince Fielder homered twice and starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo pitched in with a long ball of his own, as the Brewers moved their record to 17-21 at home (-850). It’s no shock in Gallardo’s home run, as the Milwaukee pitching staff leads the National League with a .213 batting average. The Brewers are now 13-17 against the division (-580), after finishing its interleague schedule with a 9-6 mark over the weekend. Milwaukee has normally been a dangerous team against left-handers over the years, but carries just a 12-11 mark into this contest (+90).
Brewers SP Dave Bush is 3-5 with a 4.54 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) this season (-320). He is enjoying his first winning streak of the season, picking up back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners. In those two starts, the right-hander allowed three earned runs and 14 hits in 13.1 innings of work. Bush is winless in four daytime starts this year, posting a 0-1 mark and 5.66 ERA, while allowing six home runs in just 20.2 innings. He has flourished on the mound against the Astros, going 6-1 with a 3.25 ERA in 14 games (12 starts). His six wins against Houston is tied for his most career wins against any opponents (STL).
Bettors will find no little advantage in taking a side based on daytime numbers in this contest, with Houston posting a 11-15 mark (+120) and Milwaukee bringing a 11-18 record (-870). It’s important to note that the total is a combined 28-23 O/U in those games.
