Series Preview: Twins (35-36) vs Brewers (37-32)

The Pitching Matchups:

Tuesday: Francisco Liriano (2-8, 5.91) vs Jeff Suppan (5-4, 4.48)
In two career outings against the Brewers, Liriano has been nearly untouchable, striking out 17 Brewers bats over 13 innings, and touting a 2-0 record with a 0.69 era. Suppan, on the other hand, has gone 5-8 with a 4.98 in 19 career starts versus the Twins.

Wednesday: Nick Blackburn (6-2, 3.09) vs Braden Looper (5-4, 5.21)
In Blackburn's only career start against the Brewers, he was roughed up for 6 runs on 9 hits - 4 homeruns - over 4.2 innings, taking a no-decision. Looper has faced the Twins 4 times, including 1 start, going 0-1 with a 5.59 era over 9.2 innings of work against Minnesota.

Thursday: Scott Baker (4-6, 5.22) vs TBD
Baker has made 5 career starts against the Brewers, going 3-2, with a 5.01 era, including his near complete game performance on May 24. For the Brewers, with Dave Bush suffering from a tired arm, the likely starter is Seth McClung should they hold Bush back.

Who's Hot

Minnesota: Jason Kubel
The Twins designated hitter has found his power stroke of late, hitting .353 and slugging .765, with 4 homeruns and 5 RBI over his last 10 starts.








Milwaukee: Ryan Braun/Prince Fielder
The Brewers 3/4 hitters are finally both hot at the same time. Braun is hitting .370, with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homeruns and 12 RBI over his last 11 games, while Prince has hit .326 with 6 doubles, 2 homeruns and 13 RBI over that span.


Who's Not

Minnesota: Joe Crede
Over his last 19 games, Crede is batting just .197 with 4 extra base hits.

Milwaukee: Braden Looper
After a great April, Looper has really struggled mightily. In his last four outings, Looper has gone 0-1 with a 7.96 era. A common thread for most Brewers pitchers.

Outlook

Since the last time these teams met, and the Twins swept the Brewers in embarrassing fashion, the Brewers have gone 11-14, while the Twins have gone 13-13. The Brewers big bats are starting to come alive, but the pitching is really struggling, while the Twins always seem to have pitching. It seems as thought the Twins always take 2-of-3, or sweep the Brewers in Milwaukee since interleague play began, and with the pitching concerns facing the Brewers, I don't see that trend ending anytime soon.

Twins take 2 of 3