After sweeping the New York Yankees, the Milwaukee Brewers will host another formidable opponent in the San Diego Padres.
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to host the San Diego Padres for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday. Below is what you should know heading into the first game:
The Records
The Brewers were able to make a statement by sweeping the New York Yankees, who came to American Family Field over the weekend as one of baseball’s hottest teams with a 26-12 record. Milwaukee was able to dismantle them.
The series win improved the Brewers to 22-16 and second in the National League Central Division as they continue to climb the ranks of a highly competitive division.
Now, they must prepare for another formidable opponent when they face the Padres, who own a 24-16 record after notching two wins in a row and sit atop the National League West Division.
The Battle of Young Pitchers
Getting the starting nod for the Brewers is right-hander Brandon Sproat, who is coming off an outing against the St. Louis Cardinals in which he threw four shutout innings and logged five strikeouts while allowing three walks and a hit.
Through seven games (five starts) Sproat, 25, carries an 0-2 record and a 5.87 ERA through 30 ⅔ innings of work. In his second MLB season, he has struck out 30 batters while allowing 29 hits, 20 earned runs, and 18 walks.
On the other side, the Padres are expected to give the ball to 22-year-old right-handed reliever Bradgley Rodriguez, who is also in his second MLB campaign. After pitching in one inning during Sunday’s extra-innings win over the Cardinals, there is a chance Rodriguez will not remain on the mound long.
Through 17 games (one start), Rodriguez has an 0-2 record with a 1.83 ERA. In 19 ⅔ total innings of work, he has struck out 14 batters while allowing 15 hits, four earned runs, and five walks.
Key Players to Watch
Both teams have players that can make a difference, and one of those players for the Brewers is Brice Turang.
After coming off a game on Mother’s Day in which he delivered a walk-off solo home run to complete the sweep of the Yankees, Turang is tied with Jake Bauers for second on the Brewers’ roster in home runs (six).
Additionally, he owns the best batting average on his team among qualified players (.298), and has the second-best on-base percentage in baseball (.422).
Despite having a down year at the plate, Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to make the most of his time on the base paths for the Padres. Currently, his 10 stolen bases are good for No. 9 in MLB, and Milwaukee will have to monitor his willingness to steal on Tuesday and for the rest of the series.
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