TOM STRYKER
#955 MILWAUKEE with Sheets (-) over San Diego at 3:35 PM EST
If Milwaukee wants to give Chicago a run for its money, then the Brewers must pick up wins at this stage of the season against bottom feeders like San Diego. Granted, knocking off Padres ace Jake Peavy won't be easy. However, the Brew Crew have veteran Ben Sheets on the bump and he knows how to get the job done.
Except for a start on July 29th at home against Chicago where Ben got pounded for six earned runs and 11 hits in 5.1 innings of work, Sheets has been outstanding in his other six outings. In 38.2 innings of work, "Big Ben" has been touched for only 10 earned runs and 37 hits. That breaks down to a respectable 2.33 ERA. Foreign soil hasn't been an issue for Baton Rouge, Louisiana product either. As a guest, Sheets has tossed 92.1 frames and been nicked for only 29 earned runs and 81 hits. That equates to a solid 6-2 record and a stellar 2.83 ERA!
San Diego ace Jake Peavy has great numbers at home this season. With 69.0 innings completed, Peavy has been scratched for only 11 earned runs and 47 hits. That translates into a stellar 1.43 ERA but an average 4-4 overall record. The reason why Jake can't get any "W's" in the win column is he rarely gets any run support. Peavy has made 10 starts at home this season and the Padres have scored more than four runs only once! Overall, in their own backyard and with No. 44 on the hill, San Diego is averaging only 2.2 runs per game!
This is a sweet technical spot for Milwaukee too. The Brewers have nailed 36 of their last 52 as chalk and 29 of their last 42 with Big Ben on the mound. Meanwhile, the Padres have dropped 18 of their last 22 at home and six of their last eight with Peavy pitching in his own backyard. Take Milwaukee with listed pitcher Ben Sheets. Thank you and best of luck, TOM STRYKER