Milwaukee at Pittsburgh

Milwaukee has won five of nine games, winning each time as a dog. The Brewers have averaged 5.8 runs in the victories, and LF Ryan Braun has hit 29 career homers against the Pirates, the most against Pittsburgh by any player in team history. The Brewers are a dog again, but have a talented arm on the hill in 23-year old Zach Davies, off a winning season with a 3.71 ERA in 34 innings. Opponents hit .211 off him last year. Pittsburgh winds up a five-game homestand not playing well, losing six of eight. And they've been favored the last four games (three defeats). The Pirates' pitching has not been very good, allowing 30 runs the last five contests. Starter Juan Nicasio (1-1, 5.00 ERA) has walked five batters in nine innings and is off an 8-2 loss at Detroit allowing 11 base runners in three innings (five walks). Nicasio struggled at home last season (5.28 ERA), which is another trend. He's stuck with a 5.69 ERA at home the last three years (155 innings). The Pirates are also in the middle of the pack offensively in the early going of 2016, adding to their struggles. Play Milwaukee.