After a 20-7 August, September has been a little rude so far. The Mets capped off a stellar road trip with a sweep of the Crew. The last time the Brewers were swept at Miller Park (Cubs – July), the Brewers responded by winning 20 of the next 27.

Despite a 3-game losing streak, the Brewers have seven home games remaining against the Padres (4) and Reds (3). The Crew opens play Thursday with a 4.5 game lead over the Phillies in the Wild Card race and just 4.5 games behind the Cubs in the Division race. The Cubs play @ Cincinnati and @ St. Louis with off days prior to each series. The Phillies play @ the Mets and home against the Marlins with an off day Thursday. 

The Brewers have won four of their last five meetings with the Padres, including two of three against them this season.

Milwaukee will be looking to snap its three-game losing streak. The Brewers have the third-best home record among NL teams this season (41-27).

The Padres have lost each of their last nine road games and are an ML-worst 21-47 away from home this season.

Jeff Suppan is 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last six starts and has won each of his last two starts against the Padres.

Shawn Estes will be making his first start since being placed on the DL back on May 31. Estes is 5-6 with a 6.01 ERA in 14 career starts against the Brewers and will be facing them for the first time since September 15, 2005.

Since snapping his 12-game hitting streak, Brian Giles has gone 0-for-7 in his last two games. Giles is hitting .167 (2-for-12) in his three games against the Brewers this season.

Milwaukee is an ML-best 25-12 in one-run games this season.

J.J. Hardy is hitting .467 (7-for-15) with two triples, one homer and three RBI over his last four games.

All games will be televised on FSN Wisconsin with John Walsh producing, Michael Oddino directing and Brian Mikolajek graphic-ing.

Pitching Matchups:
Thursday: Jeff Suppan (10-7, 4.49) vs. LHP Shawn Estes (1-1, 3.33), 7:05
Friday: CC Sabathia (9-0, 1.43) vs. RHP Josh Geer (1-0, 3.60), 7:05
Saturday: Ben Sheets (12-7, 2.97) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (9-9, 2.69), 6:05
Sunday: Manny Parra (10-6, 4.10) vs. RHP Chris Young (4-5, 4.91), 1:05

Have a great weekend!

-BA