The Milwaukee Brewers, who’ve seemingly performed AL groups for the complete month of Might, will face off in opposition to the Boston Purple Sox for 3 video games starting Memorial Day. Milwaukee hasn’t performed constant baseball the complete season, struggling to go above .500 but in addition staying inside shouting distance of the Cubs and Cardinals within the NL Central.
The Brewers are coming off what ought to have been an easy-ish week in opposition to the Orioles and Pirates, although they went simply 4-3 in that stretch, splitting 4 video games with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. On the opposite facet, the Purple Sox are additionally coming off a collection with the Orioles, splitting 4 video games with them after successful two of three in opposition to the Mets to start the week. They sit at 27-28 this season.
For the Brewers, Quinn Priester is daily with a blister on the center finger of his throwing hand, although it doesn’t seem like something critical. Jose Quintana, Brandon Woodruff, and DL Corridor are all approaching returns to the big-league squad, and outfielders Blake Perkins and Garrett Mitchell is also again within the coming weeks.
The Purple Sox’ injured record consists of infielders Alex Bregman and Triston Casas, who’re each out for prolonged intervals with leg accidents (Bregman ought to return later this summer time, however Casas is out for the season). Outfielder Masataka Yoshida hasn’t appeared in a sport this 12 months with a shoulder tear, and pitchers Patrick Sandoval, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford are all out as effectively.
Christian Yelich leads the Brewers with 9 homers, although he’s hitting simply .205 on the season. Jackson Chourio is slashing .246/.273/.412 with seven homers, 15 doubles, 27 RBIs, 29 runs, and 9 steals. Rhys Hoskins is hitting .288/.390/.472 with seven homers, whereas Brice Turang and Sal Frelick proceed to supply worth on the basepaths with 13 and 9 steals, respectively. As a crew, the Brewers are hitting .233/.311/.353 (.664 OPS ranks twenty fifth) with 45 homers (twenty fourth), 232 runs scored (twelfth), and 70 steals (second).
With Bregman now injured, the Boston offense is led by Wilyer Abreu, Rafael Devers, and Jarren Duran. Duran offers the velocity menace (six triples, 12 steals) whereas Abreu and Devers each deliver energy to the desk, as they’re tied for the crew lead with 12 homers every. Devers is hitting .291/.406/.539, which is saying one thing contemplating how unhealthy he began the season (he went 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts in 5 video games in March). In addition they have a pair of stable rookies (Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell), Carlos Narváez at catcher, and Trevor Story at shortstop. As a crew, the Sox are hitting .254/.325/.425 (.750 OPS ranks fifth) with 69 homers (seventh), 267 runs scored (fifth), and 52 steals (tied for fifth).
Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill are the leaders of Milwaukee’s bullpen, whereas Nick Mears and Jared Koenig have each had stable seasons regardless of latest struggles. Grant Anderson’s 3.00 ERA over 27 innings has additionally been a pleasant worth add from the previous offseason. As a workers, the Brewers have a 4.11 ERA (twenty first), together with a 3.60 starter ERA (tenth) and a 4.72 reliever ERA (twenty fourth). They’ve additionally struck out 437 batters (sixteenth) in 475 1⁄3 innings.
The bullpen has been one of many healthiest areas for the Purple Sox, as they’ve 5 gamers with 22-plus appearances this 12 months. Greg Weissert leads that group with 24 appearances and a 3.13 ERA, whereas Brennan Bernardino (1.66 ERA) has made 23 appearances. Aroldis Chapman is an ideal 8-for-8 in save alternatives, and Justin Slaten and Justin Wilson have additionally been stable with 22 appearances every. As a workers, the Purple Sox have a 4.02 ERA (18th), together with a 4.26 starter ERA (twenty second) and a 3.67 reliever ERA (twelfth). They’ve additionally struck out 456 batters (ninth) in 494 2⁄3 innings.
Possible Pitchers
Monday, Might 26 @ 1:10 p.m.: Chad Patrick (3.23 ERA, 3.43 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet (1.98 ERA, 2.71 FIP)
Patrick, 26, has been incredible via 11 appearances (10 begins) for Milwaukee this 12 months. Whereas he isn’t the flashiest pitcher, he’s accomplished his job to maintain the Brewers in video games, with three or fewer runs allowed in all of his begins. His final outing was a no-decision in opposition to the Orioles, as he allowed one run on 4 hits and a stroll with seven strikeouts over 4 2⁄3 innings. That is his first profession look in opposition to Boston.
Crochet was concerned in one of many greatest trades of the offseason, coming over from the White Sox in a deal for a number of prospects. Initially drafted by the Brewers in 2017 (although he didn’t signal), he’s been stellar via 11 begins this season, with a 1.98 ERA and a couple of.71 FIP, hanging out 78 batters throughout an AL-best 68 1⁄3 innings. He went 5 1⁄3 innings in his final begin in opposition to the Mets, permitting one run on 5 hits and a stroll with 5 strikeouts. He’s made one profession begin in opposition to the Crew, permitting one run on 5 hits and a stroll with eight strikeouts throughout six innings final June.
Tuesday, Might 27 @ 6:40 p.m.: Aaron Civale (9.00 ERA, 10.79 FIP) vs. TBD
Civale made his return from damage on Thursday evening in Pittsburgh, throwing 73 pitches throughout 4 innings as he allowed two runs on 4 hits and a pair of walks with three strikeouts. He nonetheless isn’t again to 100% of his workload, however you’ll be able to most likely anticipate him to throw nearer to the 80-pitch mark on this one. He’s made 4 profession begins in opposition to Boston, spanning 20 innings with 23 strikeouts and a 4.95 ERA.
The Purple Sox at present have this spot listed as TBD, however CBS Sports activities initiatives Cooper Criswell to get the beginning right here. Criswell, 28, is in his second season with the Purple Sox. He made three aid appearances early within the season earlier than being optioned to Triple-A. He’s bounced forwards and backwards since that point however hasn’t made an MLB look since April 6. This may mark his first begin within the majors since final September. In 5 MiLB appearances (4 begins) this 12 months, he has a 1.99 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 22 2⁄3 innings. He’s made one long-relief look in opposition to the Brewers, coming whereas he was with the Rays again in 2023. In that look, he allowed 5 runs on eight hits and one stroll with three strikeouts over 4 2⁄3 innings.
Wednesday, Might 28 @ 12:10 p.m.: Freddy Peralta (2.55 ERA, 3.89 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (4.08 ERA, 4.89 FIP)
Whereas he might battle with throwing too many pitches at instances, Peralta is now in his third season as a pitcher who may be anticipated to make each scheduled begin. He’s at present tied for MLB’s lead with 11 begins this 12 months, as he’s sporting a 2.55 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 60 innings. He struggled at instances in his final begin, permitting two runs (one earned) on 5 hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 4 1⁄3 innings in opposition to the Pirates. He’s made only one profession begin in opposition to Boston, permitting 4 runs on 5 hits and two walks with 4 strikeouts over 5 2⁄3 innings in a begin again in April 2023.
Bello, 26, is in his fourth MLB season with the Purple Sox, and regardless of having one of the best ERA mark of his profession (4.08), he additionally has the worst FIP mark of his profession (4.89). He’s made seven begins, permitting 17 runs (16 earned) and hanging out 27 throughout 35 1⁄3 innings. In his final begin in opposition to the Orioles, he allowed two runs on six hits and a stroll with seven strikeouts over 4 innings. He’s made two appearances (one begin) in opposition to the Brewers in his profession, permitting 5 runs on 9 hits and 5 walks with seven strikeouts over 9 innings of labor.
How one can Watch
Monday, Might 26: FanDuel Sports activities Wisconsin, MLB Community (out-of-market viewers), and MLB.TV (out-of-market viewers); hear by way of radio on the Brewers Radio Community
Tuesday, Might 27: FanDuel Sports activities Wisconsin and MLB.TV (out-of-market viewers); hear by way of radio on the Brewers Radio Community
Wednesday, Might 28: FanDuel Sports activities Wisconsin, MLB Community (out-of-market viewers), and MLB.TV (out-of-market viewers); hear by way of radio on the Brewers Radio Community
Prediction
The Purple Sox have performed .500 baseball up up to now, barely higher than Milwaukee. I feel they’ve the sting on this collection, so I’ll take the Sox to win two of three.
