Series preview: Another battle with the Brew Crew

Pittsburgh Pirates (40-65) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (63-43), August 2-4, 2021

Location: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Brewers SB Nation Site: Brew Crew Ball

The Pirates are looking to bounce back after last week’s sweep against their NL Central Rival, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this week:

Projected Starters

Monday, 8:10 p.m. EST

Bryse Wilson (2-3, 4.83 ERA) vs. Eric Lauer (3-4, 3.78 ERA)

Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EST

Max Kranick (1-2, 7.31 ERA) vs. Adrian Houser (7-5, 3.69 ERA)

Wednesday, 2:10 p.m. EST

TBD vs. Freddy Peralta (8-3, 2.17 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Pirates

1. Kevin Newman (SS)
2. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. John Nogowski (1B)
5. Ben Gamel (LF)
6. Jacob Stallings (C)
7. Gregory Polanco (RF)
8. Rodolfo Castro (2B)
9. Starting Pitcher

Brewers

1. Kolten Wong (2B)
2. Willy Adames (SS)
3. Omar Narvaez (C)
4. Eduardo Escobar (3B)
5. Rowdy Tellez (1B)
6. Avisail Garcia (RF)
7. Tyrone Taylor (LF)
8. Jackie Bradley Jr. (CF)
9. Starting Pitcher

Tonight, the Pirates get their first look at one of their trade deadline acquisitions, Bryse Wilson.

Wilson, who came from the Atlanta Braves in the Richard Rodriguez trade, started in Game 4 of the 2020 NLCS and is 2-3 with a 4.83 ERA this season.

Max Kranick will draw the start on Tuesday, and he’s hoping to look more like his MLB debut than his past few appearances, where his ERA has ballooned to over 7.00.

The Brewers have been one of the biggest thorns in the Pirates’ side this season, going 3-10 against them this year, including 1-9 in their last three series against each other. Last week, the Brewers outscored the Pirates 26-3, so the bar cannot be set much lower. Chances are, the Pirates will improve from its dismal performance last week.