Steve Merril's Sunday Night MLB Preview (Brewers/Cardinals)

LOHSE ON POINT

Kyle Lohse is 11-2 with a 2.91 ERA for the Cardinals this season. He ended July with his worst start since May although it was in Coors Field which can be forgiven. Lohse is ranked third in the National League with 16 quality starts this year. The Cardinals’ starter faced Milwaukee back on April 28th and gave up 3 runs and six hits in six innings; he struck out five while walking four. Lohse had an amazing streak of 10 starts from June 4th to July 25th where he allowed 3 earned runs or more just once. Lohse has allowed 12 HR's this season, but he's been able to pitch around those.

MARCO OH NO

Milwaukee’s Marco Estrada is still looking for his first win of the season. He threw seven strong innings on Monday against Houston allowing 2 earned runs, but it wasn't enough for the victory. He has made 12 starts with 8 of them resulting in no-decisions. Estrada was on the losing end of Lohse's win on the 28th as he gave up 5 runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out two and walked two while giving up two homers. Estrada faced the Cardinals as a reliever twice in April giving up 2 runs and two hits in just over three innings. Estrada’s pitch count has been more manageable in his last two starts after throwing 114 and 113 pitches in two starts earlier this month.

INJURY REPORT

The Brewers are relatively clean on the injury report although they would be better served if Shaun Marcum and Mat Gamel were healthy. Marcum has tightness in his right elbow while the first baseman has a torn ACL that he sustained after crashing into a wall attempting to make a catch. The team is also without shortstop Alex Gonzalez and starter Chris Narveson who has a left rotator cuff tear. St. Louis is without two of their major starting pitchers in Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia. Carpenter is done after season ending surgery to his right shoulder while Garcia should return at some point. Lance Berkman, Rafael Furcal, and Yadier Molina are all dinged up with various ailments as well.

TRENDS

Brewers are 4-1-1 Under in their last 6 Sunday games Brewers are 3-8 in Estrada's last 11 starts Cardinals are 4-0 in Lohse’s last 4 home starts Cardinals are 8-2 Under in Lohse’s last 10 starts

HITTERS TO WATCH

Ryan Braun 9-for-32 against Lohse Aramis Ramirez 9-for-20 against Lohse Yadier Molina 5-for-7 against Estrada Rafael Furcal 2-for-10 against Estrada