Pirates at Brewers
If the first 30 or so games are any indication, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers figure to be among four teams jostling for the top position in the National League Central all season long. The Pirates have made their mark by beating up on division rivals so far this year, however, and hope to continue doing so on Saturday as they resume their three-game series in Milwaukee.
One of three teams within 1 1/2 games of first place in the Central, Pittsburgh returned home Friday after being swept in a four-game series at Washington and recaptured the form that allowed it to win five straight prior to its trek as Starling Marte recorded a two-run, inside-the-park homer in a 6-4 victory against the Brewers. In doing so, the Pirates ran their winning streak in the division to five games while also improving their overall record against the Central to 9-2. Milwaukee was unable to carry over the momentum from a three-game sweep in Cincinnati despite a strong performance from Domingo Santana, who went 2-for-4 and homered for the first time in 30 games this season. The defeat also ended the Brewers' six-game home winning streak - the club's longest since capturing eight in a row in 2013.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet-Pittsburgh, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.83 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (2-1, 4.54)
Taillon was dealt his third loss in as many tries Monday at Washington, but he was able to record a quality start for the first time over that stretch after giving up three runs in six innings. The former No. 2 overall draft pick has posted an 11.92 ERA during his rough spell after beginning the season with a 2-0 record and 0.89 ERA in his first three turns. Hernan Perez is 5-for-13 with three homers versus Taillon, who is 1-3 with a 3.73 ERA in six career starts against Milwaukee.
Chacin's struggles on the road continued in Monday's no-decision at Cincinnati as he surrendered four runs on five hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings - the fourth time in seven tries he has failed to complete the fifth frame. While the 30-year-old Venezuelan has registered a 5.71 ERA in five road outings, he is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in his two turns at home this season. Chacin is 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts versus the Pirates but hasn't faced them since 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Pirates have outscored their division rivals 70-42 in their 11 matchups.
2. Santana's two-run homer in the series opener accounted for his first two RBIs at home this season.
3. Pittsburgh OF Corey Dickerson is 8-for-20 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs in his last five games at Miller Park.