Game Thread #151: Milwaukee Brewers (87-63) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (90-60)

Clinch watch is in full effect starting tonight

Clinch watch is officially on. With the Brewers’ magic number for the NL Central down to two, it could happen any day now. Tonight is the first chance for the Brewers, though they would still need a little help for it to happen: a Brewers win combined with a Cubs loss to the Athletics would clinch the division.

They will have a challenging game tonight to get that win, though. Zack Wheeler starts for the Phillies tonight, and he has been the Phillies’ ace. He has not allowed more than two runs in a start since July 29, and the Phillies are 18-7 in his starts since April 20. The Brewers faced him back in June, scoring just one run off of him in seven innings.

Frankie Montas will be the one to take him on tonight. This will be Montas’ second start against the Phillies this season. He allowed just one run in 5 ²⁄₃ innings back on April 3. Montas has a strong start his last time out, posting six scoreless innings against the Giants.

The Brewers are getting the left-handed batters they can into the lineup tonight. Brice Turang is batting leadoff, followed by the only back-to-back right-handed batters in Jackson Chourio and William Contreras. Garrett Mitchell is in the fourth spot with Willy Adames fifth. The Brewers alternate the hitters down the rest of the lineup with Jake Bauers, Rhys Hoskins, Sal Frelick, and Joey Ortiz rounding out the lineup.

One update for the bullpen tonight. After only pitching for ¹⁄₃ of an inning on Sunday before leaving with forearm tightness, Joel Payamps should be available again out of the bullpen. He does have to play catch in the afternoon without issue, but as long as that goes well, he’ll be available.

First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. Tonight’s game will be on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network, as usual. If you are outside of the Brewers’ market, it will also be available on TBS. Here are the full lineups.