Brewers-Reds Preview
CINCINNATI -- The Milwaukee Brewers remain on pace to establish a new major league record for strikeouts in a season. But, manager Craig Counsell said how the strikeouts relate to run production is what he's most concerned about.
"That's always going to be the most important number for me, how we get there to produce runs," said manager Craig Counsell. "If we figure out a way to cut down our strikeouts to produce more runs. That's how I look at the strikeout number."
The Houston Astros struck out 1,535 times in 2013. The Brewers have fanned 1,374 times through 145 games, including nine punchouts in a 6-4 loss on Tuesday, keeping them on track for the all-time mark.
"We knew we had guys going into the season that were going to strike out a lot," said Counsell. "We knew it was going to maybe be a high number, but how it relates to producing runs is really what we're more concerned about."
Right-hander Junior Guerra who's played a big role in the success the Brewers' rotation has enjoyed in recent weeks, will start Wednesday's series finale against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Over the past 21 games, Milwaukee's starters have posted a major league best 2.91 ERA. Guerra has made 11 quality starts. Opponents are batting .216 against him.
Wednesday will be his third start since coming off the disabled list where he was from August 8 to September 1 with right elbow inflammation. Guerra received no decision in his only start against the Reds on May 8 at Great American Ball Park when he allowed four earned runs in six innings in a 5-4 Brewers' victory.
Right-hander Tim Adleman will make his tenth career appearance and start for the Reds on Wednesday. It's his sixth start since being promoted from Triple-A on August 16. He last faced the Brewers on May 6, allowing one earned run in five innings in the Reds' 5-1 win. Adleman might have more than nine starts under his belt had it not been for a strained left oblique which had him on the DL from May 19 to August 2. Adleman was promoted on August 16 to take Cody Reed's spot in the rotation.
Adleman will have to contend with Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun who historically has hit well against the Reds, particularly in Cincinnati. Braun has 20 career homers at Great American Ball Park, his highest total in any ballpark.
Cincinnati, which has won five of six against the Brewers and is 30-25 since the All-Star break, could be without a couple regulars on Wednesday in center fielder Billy Hamilton and shortstop Zack Cozart.
Hamilton hasn't played since straining his left oblique during an at-bat on September 4. Cozart has missed three games with soreness in his right knee, which he had season-ending surgery on last season.
"We're really at the mercy of how his knee responds on a daily basis," manager Bryan Price said regarding Cozart. "I'd like to be more proactive. It's almost impossible to define when it's going to get sore."
