Astros (32-43) @ Brewers (43-32) - Series Preview

The Brewers finish up their ten-game homestand with a three-game set against the Astros starting Monday. So far on the homestand, the Brewers are 5-1. The Brewers get back into NL Central play with the series against the Astros. The Crew's record against their own division this year is 18-10.

Brewers fans could see some history at Miller Park during the series. With three hits Sunday night against the Rangers, Craig Biggio is just four hits short of 3,000. Robin Yount had his 3,000th hit in Milwaukee at County Stadium off Jose Mesa on September 9th, 1992.

Chris Capuano is getting closer to returning the Brewers' rotation but Ned Yost does not plan to rush Capuano back. Looks like the earliest Capuano would be back pitching for the Brewers is July 3rd. That means Yovani Gallardo will be starting against the Cubs at Wrigley Field Saturday. Gallardo pitched very well Sunday in a no-decision against the Royals. There is no reason to rush Capauno back at this point because of the Brewers' starting pitching depth.

Also in the notes by Rick Braun of the Journal-Sentinel, it looks like Brewers' first round pick Matt LaPorta could be signing a contract in the next couple of days. Hopefully it happens before the Brewers leave town so LaPorta can take batting practice with the team and be introduced to the Miller Park crowd as that is a recent tradition with Brewers' first round picks.

Pitching match ups:

Monday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Jason Jennings (1-1, 3.63) vs. RHP Ben Sheets (8-3, 3.19)

Jennings missed much of April and May after being out with an injury to his right elbow. Since returning from the DL, Jennings is 1-0 with an ERA of 3.90 in five starts. In his last start, Jennings gave up season highs in hits (11) and runs (5) against the Angels. However, Jennings was able to pick his first win of the season as the Astros backed him with some nice run support. In his career against the Brewers, Jennings is 2-0 with a 3.47 ERA in four starts. Craig Counsell is 11-28 with two doubles, two homers and three RBI in his career against Jennings. Those numbers might allow Yost to give J.J. Hardy one more day off to recover from a back injury.

Sheets kept things rolling last time out against the Giants. He threw a complete game and gave up two runs in his eighth win of the year. It was his second complete game of the season. Sheets is now 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA in four starts in the month of June. Back in April, Sheets threw seven innings and gave up two runs against the Astros in a no-decision. In his career against the Astros, Sheets is 9-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 21 starts. Lance Berkman is 17-51 with six doubles, four homers and 14 RBI against Sheets in his career.

Tuesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

LHP Wandy Rodriguez (4-6, 4.20) vs. RHP Claudio Vargas (6-1, 4.09)

Rodriguez gave up four runs, three earned in his last start which was against the Angels. He pitched six and a third innings and picked up a no-decision. Rodriguez is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in four June starts. He faced the Brewers April 21st and gave up six runs in six innings in a loss at Miller Park. Rodriguez is 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight career appearances against the Brewers. Corey Hart is 7-12 with a double and three RBI in his career against Rodriguez.

In Vargas' last start, things were going great in the first five innings against the Giants. Vargas had pitched five scoreless innings and given up only two hits. Then in the sixth inning, Vargas could not find the plate, loaded up the bases and gave up a grand slam to Bengie Molina. Vargas did not record an out in the sixth inning and was replaced by Brian Shouse. The Brewers had a one run lead when Vargas left the game and the Brewers added a couple runs later in the game to give Vargas his sixth win of the year. Vargas picked up a win at Minute Maid Field against the Astros April 29th. In that start, Vargas pitched five innings of scoreless baseball. Vargas is 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA in seven career appearances against the Astros. Adam Everett is 5-11 with three doubles, a homer and four RBI in his career against Vargas.

Wednesday - 1:05 PM CDT:

RHP Woody Williams (3-10, 5.75) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (8-7, 4.90)

Williams struggled in his last start against the Rangers. He pitched four innings, gave up five runs and was charged with the loss. Williams is 1-3 with a 6.46 in four June starts. Righties are hitting .320 against Williams this year. Williams is 12-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 28 career appearances, 19 starts against the Brewers. Damian Miller is 11-25 with three doubles and two RBI against Williams in his career.

The struggles continued for Suppan in his last start. Suppan gave up five runs in five innings of work against the Royals but he did pick up his eighth win of the season. He is 2-2 with a 8.36 ERA in five June starts. In his career against the Astros, Suppan is 2-6 with a 4.72 ERA in 11 appearances, of which were 10 starts. Berkman is 10-24 with four doubles, two homers and ten RBI in his career against Suppan.