The Milwaukee Brewers have had issues in the back end of their bullpen since losing their All-Star closer to injury, but it appears the St. Louis Cardinals aren’t in the clear after adding an All-Star closer to their relief corps. After both teams’ bullpens had a tough time during the late innings in the series opener, they’ll try to give themselves a little more breathing room when the series continues Tuesday in St. Louis.
Milwaukee’s Matt Albers, filling in for injured closer Corey Knebel, blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning but got credit for the win after Greg Holland walked in the go-ahead run in the 10th in his St. Louis debut. It was a much-needed win for the Brewers, who had lost four of their previous five games – including three via shutout. Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez will try to beat the Brewers for the second time in six days. While Martinez has enjoyed great success against Milwaukee, several players have hit him well – Jonathan Villar is 9-for-26, Domingo Santana is 7-for-20 and Travis Shaw is 4-for-12 while all three have homered against the right-hander.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Brent Suter (1-1, 6.30 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (1-1, 2.84)
Suter allowed far too much hard contact last time out, as the Chicago Cubs knocked him around for five runs - four earned - and eight hits in five innings. The 28-year-old was tough on lefties last year, holding them to a .192 average, and they are 1-for-10 with three strikeouts against him this season. Suter is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six career games (two starts) versus St. Louis.
After a rough outing on Opening Day, Martinez bounced back to dominate the Brewers in his last turn. The 26-year-old Dominican struck out 10 while allowing four hits and two walks over 8 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday at Milwaukee. That was not surprising as Martinez is 6-4 with a 1.98 ERA in 24 career games (13 starts) against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain and Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez left Monday’s game after their feet got tangled on a close play at first base in the ninth inning. Cain left the field favoring his left leg, while Martinez appeared to injure his right ankle.
2. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is 4-for-7 with two homers versus Suter.
3. St. Louis LF Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-5 with two RBIs on Monday and is 14-for-35 during his eight-game hitting streak.