Braun, Brewers to stop Padres’ surge?
The Padres thought Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep over the MLB-best Cubs was satisfying. Then last night happened.
Andy Green’s club blanked Milwaukee, 3-0, behind a dominant turn from ace James Shields. San Diego tries to keep to the momentum going in tonight’s second game of the series, with an 8:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Miller Park. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI actually prefer the host team, though, as a 1.5-run favorite. The over/under total sits at nine runs.
While the Padres still bring up the rear in the National League West, they’re riding a three-game winning streak for the first time in 2016. Thursday’s triumph featured seven hits in support of Shields, including a Melvin Upton Jr. homer. But make no mistake – San Diego’s recent run has been predicated on superlative pitching.
It seems unfair to ask Christian Friedrich to twirl the squad’s third consecutive shutout. He’s taking the rotation spot of the injured Andrew Cashner and making his first start since July 1, 2014. The lefty went 0-4 with a 5.25 ERA in 68 appearances with Colorado a year ago.
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Perhaps Ryan Braun (.431 average during a 12-game hitting streak) and company will be able to break through vs. Friedrich and aid Junior Guerra (1-0, 6.00 ERA) in the process. Craig Counsell’s righty fields his third career assignment after surrendering four runs in six innings in each of his first two. He walked two and allowed a homer in a no-decision over the weekend.
The ball may not be jumping out of the Brewers’ yard these evenings, but this matchup caters to the high-scoring crowd. Neither hurler seems destined to venture very far into the proceedings, and the bullpens that follow aren’t exactly of the lockdown variety either. Let the runs pour in.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: PADRES/BREWERS OVER 9 RUNS
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