Game Thread #92: Milwaukee Brewers (53-38) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (43-47)

With a week until the All-Star break, Brewers look to finish strong

After avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, the Milwaukee Brewers return home to American Family Field for six more games before the All-Star break, starting this evening with the first of a three-game set with the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates.

Like the Brewers, the Pirates are 3-4 in their last seven, having dropped two of three against the Cardinals and then splitting a four-game series with the New York Mets. Pittsburgh, who hadn’t named a starting pitcher until late this afternoon, will go with reliever Josh Fleming, who has made two starts (though both were brief) and 21 relief appearances for the Pirates this season. He has been basically the epitome of a league-average pitcher this season. In one of his two starts this year he did pitch four innings, so it’s possible Pittsburgh will be looking to get more than just a “first guy in a bullpen game” outing, but that outing is the only one this season in which Fleming has thrown more than three innings.

It should also be noted, though, that the Pirates activated starter Quinn Priester from the injured list today, so it’s entirely possible that Fleming is working as an opener for him. In six starts this year, the 23-year-old Priester has a 4.83 ERA/5.73 FIP, but he is a big prospect (top 60 for three years prior to last season via MLB’s rankings) and has looked pretty good in seven minor league appearances this season.

Milwaukee will go with Colin Rea this evening. Rea has been solid all year and is coming off one of his best outings, when he threw seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

Jackson Chourio is back in the leadoff spot tonight, and Blake Perkins, following his big day on Sunday, is hitting fifth. Eric Haase and his 1.182 OPS remain in the lineup, as William Contreras will be tonight’s designated hitter.

First pitch at 7:10 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.