Phillies at Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are having their way with Philadelphia pitchers and hope to produce another strong offensive performance when they host the Phillies on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Brewers scored 12 or more runs for the third time in four meetings - the first two occurring last weekend in Philadelphia - in rolling to a 13-2 victory in Friday's series opener.
Hernan Perez went 3-for-5 with a homer while Jesus Aguilar (three RBIs) and Christian Yelich also went deep as Milwaukee racked up 13 hits to improve its National League-best record to 42-27. The Brewers have allowed two runs while winning three consecutive games and have prevailed in five of their last seven contests. Philadelphia has dropped six of its last seven road games, falling to a disappointing 13-20 away from home. Leadoff hitter Cesar Hernandez went 3-for-3 with an RBI in the opener and is 8-for-14 with two three-hit performances in the four meetings with Milwaukee.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (3-2, 3.63 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Junior Guerra (3-4, 2.71)
Eflin has posted back-to-back victories - one against Milwaukee -- in which he allowed three runs and 11 hits over 13 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old defeated the Chicago Cubs on June 5, when he gave up one run and eight hits over 7 2/3 frames, and followed with the win over Milwaukee five days later in which he allowed two runs and three hits while matching his season best of nine strikeouts in six innings. Eflin has issued just one walk in each of his last four starts and has registered 40 strikeouts against just 10 free passes this season.
Guerra is winless over his last five starts despite posting a solid 2.22 ERA during the stretch. The 33-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last turn, when he gave up one run and five hits over six innings against the Cubs. Guerra is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two career outings versus the Phillies, with both starts occurring in Philadelphia.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Brewers have outscored the Phillies 40-13 while winning three of the four meetings.
2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera went 2-for-4 with a homer in the opener after going hitless in 13 at-bats in last weekend's series against Milwaukee.
3. Brewers 2B Jonathan Villar (calf) has missed two straight games and is questionable for Saturday.