Brewers at Rockies
The month of August has not been kind to Colorado Rockies closer Greg Holland, who leads the National League with 35 saves but has given up nine of the 16 runs he’s allowed all season in the past two weeks. After pitching the past two games, Holland might need a breather Sunday when the Rockies face the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in the rubber match of a three-game series.
The 31-year-old Holland allowed pinch-hitter Jesus Aguilar’s go-ahead homer in the ninth inning Saturday as Milwaukee won 6-3 to remain two games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. Colorado sits a game ahead of Arizona for the NL’s first wild card and 4 1/2 ahead of Milwaukee, which has won five of its last six following a six-game losing streak. Brewers' relievers have posted a 1.07 ERA over the past nine games, led by closer Corey Knebel, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning Saturday for his 25th save. Colorado catcher Jonathan Lucroy played parts of seven seasons with Milwaukee and has performed well since arriving in a trade from Texas on July 30, batting .348 with five doubles.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (6-2, 2.89 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (11-7, 3.74)
Anderson is set to make his first start since landing on the disabled list on June 29 with a left oblique strain. The 29-year-old Texas native was the Brewers’ top starting pitcher before the injury and still owns an 85-to-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16 starts covering 90 1/3 innings. Nolan Arenado is 8-for-25 with four homers and 10 RBIs against Anderson, who is 3-3 with a 4.92 ERA in 11 career starts against Colorado, including six innings of one-run ball in his season debut on April 6.
Freeland came off the disabled list after missing one start due to a groin injury and allowed three runs over six frames in a no-decision against Atlanta on Tuesday. The Denver native has put together a strong rookie season, going 6-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 12 starts at home. Freeland is making his first career appearance against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee RF Ryan Braun is two home runs away from 300 for his career.
2. Colorado RHP Antonio Senzatela, who has served primarily as a reliever since late June, will rejoin the rotation for a spot start on Wednesday at Kansas City.
3. Brewers 2B Neil Walker is 14-for-28 with two home runs and six RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.