The Milwaukee Brewers are determined to bounce back on Tuesday after experiencing a tough loss in the first game of their series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. This matchup is crucial for the Brewers as they aim to regain their momentum and secure a victory on their home turf. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the team will adjust their strategy and performance after a disappointing outing.
In this exciting matchup, Milwaukee’s Colin Rea (3-4, 4.71 ERA) will be facing off against Ryne Nelson (3-4, 5.30 ERA), highlighting a compelling duel between two right-handed pitchers. Both players are looking to make a significant impact on the game as they strive for a crucial win for their teams. Fans can expect an intense battle on the mound as both pitchers attempt to dominate the game.
The Diamondbacks, currently leading the National League West, started their three-game series strong by clinching the opener with a decisive 9-1 victory on Monday night. They capitalized on Brewers ace Corbin Burnes, scoring six runs in the very first inning, showcasing their offensive prowess. Alek Thomas, who was recalled earlier from Triple-A Reno, contributed significantly by hitting a two-run homer, marking a pivotal moment in the game.
Arizona’s starting pitcher Merrill Kelly delivered an impressive performance, allowing only one run on three hits over seven innings. He struck out seven batters and issued just one walk, demonstrating his command on the mound. Kelly’s strong outing was instrumental in securing the victory and putting the Diamondbacks in an advantageous position for the remainder of the series.
The Diamondbacks have now won three out of four encounters this season against the Brewers and are enjoying a hot streak with six consecutive road victories. This marks their longest such stretch since 2019. However, prior to this series, Arizona had struggled at Milwaukee, losing 13 of their last 15 games at this venue, making this current success even more noteworthy.
The Brewers were recently coming off a three-game sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates, scoring five runs in each game. Milwaukee has a notable record, being 4-29 when scoring three runs or fewer but an impressive 33-6 when they manage to score at least four runs. This statistic highlights the importance of their offensive production in achieving victories.
The loss on Monday dropped the Brewers to half a game behind the Cincinnati Reds, who have gained momentum with a nine-game winning streak, now sitting atop the NL Central. This competitive landscape intensifies the stakes as every game becomes critical for playoff positioning.
“It’s just one of those things that it’s because a team’s hot or whatever it may be,” Burnes said. “But it’s not us pressing the panic button and worrying about what another team’s doing in the middle of June.” This sentiment reflects the team’s focus on their own performance rather than getting distracted by opponents’ success.
“So, we simply have to maintain our head down and continue doing what we’re doing. We’re going to have a hot streak similar to every other team in baseball has a hot streak. It’s going to come; it’s just a matter of us playing our best baseball,” Burnes added, emphasizing the importance of confidence and perseverance in the face of challenges.
Rea will be making his 12th start since being called up to fill a gap in the Brewers‘ injury-plagued rotation. He faced a setback in his most recent outing, allowing four runs over five innings in a 4-2 defeat against the Minnesota Twins last Wednesday. His ability to bounce back in this next game will be crucial for Milwaukee’s success.
Rea boasts a record of 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in three starts during June, consistently going five innings in each appearance. He is looking to capitalize on this experience as he faces a challenging lineup.
He has not faced the Diamondbacks in his career since 2016, when he pitched for the San Diego Padres. This lack of familiarity could play a role in how he approaches this matchup.
On the other hand, Christian Yelich, who has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games, contributed Milwaukee’s only run on Monday with an RBI triple. Over this impressive streak, Yelich is hitting .378 (17-for-45), featuring seven doubles, a triple, two home runs, and six RBIs, showcasing his crucial role in the Brewers’ offense.
In contrast, Nelson struggled in his latest appearance, allowing five runs on ten hits over four innings in a 5-4 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Phillies last Thursday. This pressure adds to the importance of his next start against the Brewers.
Although Nelson has never faced the Brewers, he has been strong on the road, posting a record of 1-0 with a remarkable 0.53 ERA in his past three away starts, having surrendered only one run in 17 innings. This performance will be put to the test as he faces Milwaukee’s lineup.
Additionally, Thomas, who was sent down to the minors on May 17 after struggling with a .195 batting average over 39 games, has turned his performance around. Upon being recalled on Monday after hitting .348 with three home runs in 26 games at Triple-A Reno, he made an immediate impact by finishing 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored on Monday.
“He’s having a great deal of success,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo remarked before the game. “He’s having an all-field approach, playing excellent defense, and performing well in right and center field. I told him to focus on center field here, and we’ll concentrate there.” This praise underscores Thomas’s potential as a key player for Arizona.
Furthermore, Arizona’s Ketel Marte extended his on-base streak to an impressive 13 games with a single in the first inning. He has been hitting .326 (15-for-46) during this stretch, which includes two doubles, two home runs, and eight RBIs, solidifying his role as a consistent contributor to the team’s offense.
–Field Level Media
