The Brewers already have the NL Central in a chokehold, and a nightcap win in St. Louis would tighten the grip even more.
Bush’s PicksPicks madeJul 7, 11:23 AM CT
-118-115MILSTL+106
+139MIL -1.5STL +1.5-151-154
+107+105Over 8.5Under 8.5-120
Best BetBrewers -115
Milwaukee's the best team in baseball for a reason, and even with a spot starter on the mound, the Brewers have owned this series and this opponent all year. Gasser isn't a sure thing, but St. Louis countering with an unproven arm in Dobbins keeps the value on the Brewers' side. Take Milwaukee to win outright.
Brewers
+Best record in MLB at 56-33
+Won 4 of first 5 meetings vs Cardinals this year
+Already took game 1 of this doubleheader
−Gasser inconsistent, 4.54 ERA in spot starts
−Rotation gutted — Woodruff, Henderson, Kuhnel all out
−Hamilton out with hamstring tightness
Cardinals
+Went 3-2 in last 5 games before this series
+Blew out the Cubs 17-1 last week
+Dobbins has a 3.63 ERA in limited work
−8.5 games back in the NL Central
−Lost game 1 of the doubleheader Tuesday
−Bruihl banged up, bullpen depth thin
Milwaukee took game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader and now turns to a bullpen game of sorts for the finale, with Robert Gasser (1-3, 4.54 ERA) getting the ball. St. Louis counters with Hunter Dobbins (1-0, 3.63 ERA), who's still finding his footing after a torn ACL wiped out most of last year. First pitch for game 2 is 6:45 PM CT.
Neither arm is inspiring much confidence. Gasser lasted just 5.2 innings in his last outing against Cincinnati, allowing 3 earned runs and needing 96 pitches to get through it. Dobbins has been even shakier lately — his last start against the Mets ended after 4.1 innings and 3 runs allowed. Whichever bullpen holds up better probably decides this one.
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MIL Brewers
STL Cardinals
The Brewers have made a habit out of this matchup — they've won 4 of the first 5 meetings between these clubs this season, and Milwaukee's 56-33 mark is the best record in baseball. St. Louis, at 47-41, is fighting just to stay relevant in a division race that Milwaukee has all but locked up.
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals
Recent form.
Milwaukee's rotation is banged up behind Gasser — Woodruff (shoulder) and Henderson (back) are both out, and depth arms like Kuhnel and Zastryzny are shelved too, which is exactly why a spot starter is even in this game. David Hamilton left Monday's opener with hamstring tightness and won't be available either.
Milwaukee Brewers
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
St. Louis Cardinals
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
Injury report — info via ESPN.
St. Louis has its own issues in relief, with Justin Bruihl banged up after tweaking his ankle in Monday's loss. The Cardinals bounced around all last week — a 17-1 blowout of the Cubs one day, a letdown loss the next — and they've now dropped two straight to Milwaukee heading into the second game. A stretched bullpen on both sides makes this one anyone's game late.
