Brewers at Reds Over 9
The Milwaukee Brewers are 17 games below .500. Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza have had a lot to do with that since their combined record is 11-27. The Brewers finally got Lohse the hell out of their starting rotation, but Garza still remains.
Garza is running neck and neck with Aaron Harang to see which one gets to become the league’s first 15-game loser. Garza gets his turn tonight facing the Reds and streaking Joey Votto at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati has scored 37 runs in its last five games. The Reds just saw Garza this past Saturday and blasted him for seven runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 12-9 victory. Garza is 0-2 with a 12.82 ERA in his last three starts.
Garza has been consistent in one regard besides sucking and that is giving up the long ball. Garza has surrendered 23 homers in 25 starts, including at least one in each of his past six starts.
The Brewers, though, are swinging hot bats and facing a vulnerable pitcher, too, in Keyvius Sampson. Milwaukee is averaging 6.8 runs in its last five games batting .348 during this span.
Sampson has hit a rookie wall posting an 11.45 ERA in his last three starts. The Brewers got to him for six runs in 3 2/3 innings this past Saturday. Sampson has had trouble dealing with Great American Ball Park with an 0-2 home mark and 8.10 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .344 against him at home.
Both bullpens have fatigue issues, too.
