Spring Training Game Thread #8: Milwaukee Brewers (3-4) @ San Francisco Giants (3-2)

Brewers face off against a dear old friend as Freddy Peralta makes spring debut

This afternoon, the Milwaukee Brewers will get their first look at dear old friend Willy Adames since he left the squad in free agency in December when they visit the San Francisco Giants at their Scottsdale spring training home.

Today will also mark the spring debut of staff ace Freddy Peralta. It’s now been three consecutive years where it felt like Peralta could ascend to the upper ranks of starting pitchers in the league, but he just hasn’t quite gotten there, and I think fans are now starting to accept that as he enters his age-29 season, he is what he is: a good pitcher who sometimes looks like a great pitcher but isn’t quite there. Either way, he is an important and valuable member of this pitching staff and, especially in the wake of Devin Williams’ departure, will be looked to as the leader of the group. He’ll face off today against the ace of the Giants’ staff, Logan Webb.

After Peralta, the Brewers are expected to deploy Trevor Megill, Bryan Hudson, Deivi García, Chad Patrick, and Bruce Zimmermann. Megill and Zimmermann are both making their spring debuts, while Hudson (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K), García (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K), and Patrick (1 IP, 1 K) are all making their second appearances.

With the Brewers on the road, they will not be bringing their A-squad to this game, but we’ll see spring debuts from two recent acquisitions: Mark Canha, who will be the designated hitter to start this one, and Manuel Margot, who will line up in left field. For those keeping track of the Brewers infield alignments this spring, Caleb Durbin will start another game at second base today, with Vinny Capra at shortstop and Oliver Dunn at third.

Adames is indeed in the Giants’ lineup today, batting second, though it’ll be a strange reunion with few of the Brewers’ regular position players of the recent past in attendance. The rest of the Giants lineup is strong and includes mostly big-league regulars including star third baseman Matt Chapman.

First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. CT and available on the radio in Milwaukee via 94.5 ESPN.