Brewers at Cardinals
After being on the wrong end of Christian Yelich's torrid start far too often during the first month of the season, the St. Louis Cardinals were finally able to keep him in check and take advantage of their own outfielder doing his best impression of the reigning National League MVP. Dexter Fowler hopes to build off a huge night at the plate and continue his recent hot hitting at home Tuesday when the Cardinals host the second of three games versus the Milwaukee Brewers.
Yelich went 12-for-24 with eight homers, 19 RBIs and 10 runs scored in his first two series against St. Louis, serving as the primary source of his major-league best home run (13) and RBI (31) totals. Jack Flaherty and three relievers struck out 14 Brewers and managed to keep Yelich off the bases for the first time in eight meetings Monday, overcoming four home runs by Milwaukee in a 13-5 victory. While Paul Goldschmidt did plenty of damage with his three-hit, three-RBI effort at the top of the order, it was Fowler's 4-for-5 performance - including a two-run shot, his first of the year - and four RBIs at the bottom of the order that packed the biggest punch for the Cardinals. Fowler lifted his average for the season to .313 one year after batting .180 and is 7-for-14 at the plate nearly halfway through the team's nine-game homestand.
TV: 7:45 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zach Davies (2-0, 1.19 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Daniel Ponce de Leon (NR)
Davies is coming off consecutive strong outings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting the win on the road with seven innings of one-run ball on April 13 before settling for a no-decision Thursday despite firing five scoreless frames. The Arizona native has been particularly tough on right-handed hitters thus far, holding them to a .217 average. Matt Carpenter (10-for-22, three homers and Jedd Gyorko (13-for-20) have tormented Davies, who was roughed up for 11 earned runs over 10 2/3 innings while losing both of his starts against St. Louis last season.
Ponce de Leon is expected to make his season debut Tuesday after scheduled starter Michael Wacha surprisingly landed on the injured list with knee tendinitis. The 27-year-old is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA through three starts at Triple-A Memphis and more than held his own despite going 0-2 in his first four career big-league turns last season, posting a 2.79 ERA. Ponce de Leon owns a 36-17 record with a 2.68 ERA in 87 minor-league appearances (83 starts) and threw a perfect inning in relief against Milwaukee in 2018.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Brewers (21) and Cardinals (17) have combined for 38 home runs in their eight meetings this season.
2. Fowler's four-hit night was the fifth of his career and his first since June 9, 2013.
3. Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun's solo shot Monday was his first homer and second RBI in eight road contests (versus four home runs and 14 RBIs in 13 games at Miller Park) this season.