The Milwaukee Brewers shift their division lead defense to the desert as Kyle Harrison takes the mound, kicking off a pivotal road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Milwaukee Brewers are tasked with playing their final 11 games of the first half of the season on the road.
Here on Friday, July 3, the team will settle into Chase Field as they're set to do battle with the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game slate.
After this, it's eight straight against teams in the National League Central in a crucial week that will determine whether or not Milwaukee still leads the division by the All-Star break.
For now, though, all eyes are on the Diamondbacks, a team that enjoyed Thursday, July 2, off. At this point in the season, they're 43-43 overall and 26-18 at home.
Friday, July 3
Kyle Harrison (8-1, 2.57 ERA) vs. Jose Cabrera (0-1, 3.60 ERA)
Fresh off another start from Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski, Harrison is set to take the mound and get this Brewers team back on track. All things considered, it was still a fine start for Miz, just not one that's been up to his standards. The expectations for Harrison are also through the roof, and rightfully so.
Milwaukee draws Cabrera in game one, a 24-year-old rookie who will be making just his third start in the big leagues. Cabrera has gone exactly 5.0 innings in each of his first two starts, but it's worth noting the D-backs have a fresh bullpen after yesterday's day off.
Saturday, July 4
Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 2.59 ERA) vs. Merrill Kelly (5-8, 5.84 ERA)
Kelly is a name Brewers fans should be much more familiar with than Cabrera, but it's not like the 37-year-old is having a season to remember. He's three games under .500 himself and has a 1.53 WHIP to go along with an ERA that's closing in on being 6.00.
Kelly sports a -0.5 WAR while Woodruff seems to be in midseason form. If the Brewers veteran is able to keep up at the pace he's been at since his return, there's no doubt Arizona's Fourth of July festivities could be ruined.
Sunday, July 5
Brandon Sproat (3-4, 5.28 ERA) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (7-2, 2.21 ERA)
The Brewers could be in for a rude awakening in Sunday's series finale should manager Pat Murphy decide to throw out his typical "Sunday lineup" against a pitcher like Rodriguez.
The 33-year-old lefty has been on a heater, one that's seen him allow just three earned runs in his last four starts. Sure, Sproat is coming off a win, but the Brewers face a huge challenge before things get serious in the NL Central.
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