Marlins at Brewers
The Miami Marlins were left searching for answers after being shut out for the ninth time in their first 41 games, and boy did they find them by igniting a previously dormant offense. After scoring 100 runs during a sizzling 12-5 stretch, the Marlins aim to ride the momentum of season-high totals in runs (16) and hits (19) in the series opener into Wednesday's contest against the host Milwaukee Brewers.
Garrett Cooper homered to highlight his career high-tying four-hit, four-run performance in Miami's 16-0 romp on Tuesday, giving him 20 hits, including five homers, 17 runs scored and 13 RBIs in his last 14 games. Rookie Harold Ramirez has done well for himself in that same 14-game stretch, collecting 24 hits, 12 runs scored and as many RBIs for Miami. Former Marlin Christian Yelich has answered a 1-for-14 slump with three straight multi-hit performances for Milwaukee. The reigning National League Most Valuable Player is 11-for-32 with eight RBIs and seven runs scored against Miami since the start of the 2018 season.
TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (2-5, 4.08 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (2017: 12-6, 3.49)
Alcantara recorded his second scoreless start in three outings on Thursday, although his five walks offset the two hits he allowed in six innings of a no-decision versus San Francisco. "I feel good, but also feel bad. The bases on balls were a problem," said the 23-year-old Dominican, who also singled home Miami's lone run in a 3-1 setback. Jesus Aguilar belted a homer in his lone at-bat versus Alcantara while Eric Thames is 2-for-2 against the hurler, who is 0-2 with a 5.11 ERA in five starts on the road this season.
Nelson is slated to make his first start in 21 months on his 30th birthday Wednesday after being sidelined since Sept. 8, 2017, following surgery to repair a partially torn labrum and strained rotator cuff. "Jimmy's (surgery) was not run-of-the-mill shoulder surgery," manager Craig Counsell said in a statement. "It's required some extra work. He's certainly put in the work, and credit to him for that. He's aced that part of it. It still took him more than he would have liked, but that's the way it worked, and that's the way he healed." Nelson posted a 3-0 mark with a 3.75 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 24 innings (four starts) with Triple-A San Antonio.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee 3B Travis Shaw collected a pair of hits in his return from the injured list.
2. Miami 2B Starlin Castro has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games.
3. Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain is 7-for-24 with five RBIs and three runs scored in his last five games in which he recorded an at-bat.