After taking two of three from the Atlanta Braves, the team with the best record in the NL East, the Brewers will now head to the Big Apple to take on the worst team in the NL East.
Starting for the Mets is rookie left-hander Zac Thornton, who’s made nine starts for New York this year. Thornton has been good at limiting runs (3.04 ERA) and sports a solid 1.15 WHIP, although his underlying numbers paint a somewhat less flattering picture. His 4.09 FIP is more than a full run higher than his ERA, he’s struck out just 6.4 batters per nine innings, and his Statcast chart is almost entirely blue.
On the rubber tonight for the visiting team will be Kyle Harrison, who went five shutout innings against the Mariners last time around. Harrison allowed only two hits and struck out eight in a game Milwaukee would go on to win 22-0. The 25-year-old lefty has been consistently great this year, pitching to a 2.84 ERA through 20 starts in his first season as a Brewer.
Jackson Chourio, who’s hitting .393 with a .916 OPS over his last seven games, leads off for the Brewers. He’s followed by fellow regulars Brice Turang and William Contreras.
Jake Bauers is dealing with a sore foot after fouling a ball off his foot on Sunday, so he’s out of tonight’s lineup. For what it’s worth, Bauers has said he’s fine to play. He’s just a little dinged up right now, and the Brewers can afford to be patient — especially because they still have Andrew Vaughn (1.054 OPS vs. lefties) to hit cleanup.
Hitting fifth is Gary Sánchez, who isn’t too bad himself against lefties (.828 OPS). Rounding out the order are Luis Lara (in right field tonight), Garrett Mitchell, Joey Ortiz, and Cooper Pratt.
In other roster news: OF Sal Frelick is back.
He also has a torn labrum. That’s not as scary as it sounds, but it’s not ideal, either.
Tonight’s series opener will be broadcast on Brewers.TV, WTMJ 620, and the Brewers Network. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m.
