Milwaukee Brewers (42-50) at Pittsburgh Pirates (31-59)

MLB Baseball: Monday July 19, 2010 7:05 PM EST

SP: PIT: J. Karstens (2-4, 4.87) MLW: C. Capuano (0-1, 4.35)

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The Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers meet for a series in Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Pirates took out the big bats over the weekend scoring 21 runs in two games against the Houston Astros. What makes the 21 runs even more impressive is that Pittsburgh has been outscored by 182 runs this year, more than any other team in the Major Leagues as the Pirates have the worst record in the National League. Pittsburgh is 3-7 in their last 10 games but they are 21-21 at home. As a team Pittsburgh is hitting .237 as Andrew McCutchen leads in batting average at .289 and runs scored with 55 and Garrett Jones leads in home runs with 12 and RBI's with 55. As a team the Pittsburgh pitching staff has an ERA of 5.11 with the starters at 5.53 and the bullpen at 4.43. For game one of this series Pittsburgh starts Jeff Karstens who has lost his last two decisions. For the year Karstens has allowed 93 hits and 42 earned runs while striking out 41 in 77 and two-thirds innings of work. Karstens has allowed 16 home runs this season.

While the leaders continue to flip flop a top the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are still mired in third place, nine and a half games back. Milwaukee has gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and they are 22-25 on the road this season. As a team Milwaukee is hitting .261 as Corey Hart leads in batting average at .295, home runs with 22, and RBI's with 70 and Rickie Weeks leads in runs scored with 61. As a unit the Brewers pitching staff has an ERA of 4.79 as the starters have accumulated an ERA of 4.59 and the bullpen has an ERA of 5.14. Milwaukee hopes to improve on those pitching numbers as Chris Capuano makes his his second Major League start of the year. For the season Capuano has allowed 16 hits and five earned runs while striking out eight in 10 and a third innings of work.

Pittsburgh is 7-2 in their last nine home games, 15-37 in their last 52 overall, 6-0 in Karsten's last six home starts, and 4-9 in their last 13 against a left-handed starter. Milwaukee is 4-1 in their last five against the National League Central, 8-3 in their last 11 games as a road favorite, 5-22 in Capuano's last 27 road starts, and 5-2 in their last seven games overall. Milwaukee has won four of their last five in Pittsburgh.

As well as Pittsburgh has been hitting of late and with Capuano on the hill the Pirates have a chance at a small winning streak. Karstens just pitched against Milwaukee last week in a game Milwaukee won. Capuano has pitched well in his limited action of late and while he may not go deep into the game, I give the Brewers a slight edge. This game may not be worth a play.

Mitch's Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

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