Game Thread #143: Milwaukee Brewers (82-60) vs. Colorado Rockies (53-90)

Brewers look to take series behind Freddy Peralta

Having split the first two games of this series, the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies will determine a series winner this afternoon at American Family Field. The Rockies took a low-scoring affair on Friday in a 3-2 win, and the Brewers bounced back last night with a 5-2 victory behind an excellent performance from Tobias Myers and home runs from Willy Adames, Gary Sánchez, and William Contreras.

They’ll look for another good pitching performance today from Freddy Peralta (a day after he saw his younger brother pitch for the Rockies). Peralta has hit a pretty decent groove over the last month or so: he’s allowed just four runs over his last four starts, even though he struck out only three or fewer batters in three of those four outings.

On the other side will be the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland, pitching in his eighth season with the franchise. He’s had a solid career but is having one of his worst seasons, as he is 4-7 with a 5.30 ERA (87 ERA+) this season, though his 4.44 FIP suggests some bad luck. Freeland doesn’t walk a ton of batters but he doesn’t strike a ton out, either, so the Brewers will be hoping to capitalize on good contact.

Milwaukee has made a roster move this morning: they have optioned Brewer Hicklen back to Triple-A Nashville and in his place they’ve selected the contract of Isaac Collins, who will start in left field today for his major league debut. Christian Yelich was moved to the 60-day IL to make space for Collins on the 40-man roster.

Collins is 27 years old and was drafted originally by the Rockies in the ninth round of the 2019 draft. He was waived in 2022 and has been playing in Nashville ever since, playing regularly in the outfield, at second base, and at third base. In 113 games this season, Collins has hit .273/.386/.475 with 28 doubles, seven triples, 14 homers, 76 RBI, and 24 stolen bases in 29 attempts. He’s also drawn 71 walks in 500 plate appearances. Aside from Collins, the lineup is similar to last night, aside from Andruw Monasterio, who is getting the start at second base today.

First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.