Game Thread #53: Brewers (21-31) at Marlins (27-26)

Published June 2, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Hey look, a Yovani-day!

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Current Series

Marlins lead the series 2-0

Mon 05/31	WP: Jorge Sosa (1 - 0)... LP: Chris Narveson (4 - 3)...	5 - 13 loss
Tue 06/01	WP: Ricky Nolasco (5 - 4)... SV: Leo Nunez LP: Trevor Hoffman (1 - 4)...	4 - 6 loss
Milwaukee Brewers Brew Crew Ball @...Florida Marlins FishStripes Wednesday, Jun 2, 2010, 6:10 PM CDT Sun Life Stadium Yovani Gallardo vs...Chris Volstad ...Partly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. Complete Coverage >
Thu 06/03		6:10 PM CDT

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Follow the jump for tonight's pitching matchup, lineup and more!

Chris Volstad (3-6, 4.31) is pretty much a league average pitcher. He's got a 98 ERA+, he doesn't strike out many (5.7 per nine innings), and he walks 3.3 batters per nine innings. He made four quality starts in six attempts in May, and allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks in 6.1 innings against the Phillies on Friday.

Volstad is throwing a slider for the first time this season to go with his 91.5 mph fastball, curve and change. The fastball (+0.42 runs per 100) and change (+0.94/100) are above average, while the curve and slider are below. George Kottaras is the only Brewer who's seen him before: He went 1-for-2 with an RBI against Volstad last June.

He'll face off against Yovani Gallardo (5-2, 2.78), coming off one of the best starts of his career. Gallardo pitched his first career shutout last time out, limiting the Mets to eight hits and a walk while striking out seven. He also threw 121 pitches, becoming just the third major leaguer to throw 120 pitches in three games this season. All three instances came in May.

After getting off to an 0-2 start, Gallardo has won each of his last five decisions, posting a 1.80 ERA over that stretch. Ronny Paulino is the only Marlin with 10 PAs against Gallardo: He's 2-for-9 with a double.

Ken Macha is trying out Ryan Braun in the #2 hole again tonight (via Tyler Barnes):

Rickie Weeks 2B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Casey McGehee 3B
Corey Hart RF
Carlos Gomez CF
George Kottaras C
Yovani Gallardo P
Alcides Escobar SS

And in the bullpen:

Trevor Hoffman pitched 1 inning (26 pitches) yesterday.
Kameron Loe pitched 1 inning (13 pitches) yesterday.
Jeff Suppan pitched 1 innings (11 pitches) Monday...Carlos Villanueva pitched .1 innings (18 pitches) Monday...Zach Braddock pitched 1 inning (37 pitches) Sunday...Todd Coffey pitched 2.1 innings (29 pitches) Saturday...John Axford pitched 1 inning (14 pitches) Saturday.

Enjoy the game!

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