Brewers (47-34) @ Pirates (35-46) - Series Preview

The Brewers continue their ten-game road trip with their first visit to PNC Park this season. So far this season, the Brewers are 5-1 against the Pirates. The Cubs took two of three from the Brewers this weekend.

Prince Fielder was voted as the NL starting first baseman in this year's All Star Game. J.J. Hardy, Francisco Cordero and Ben Sheets were also selected to next week's game.

Monday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Jeff Suppan (8-7, 4.88) vs. RHP John Van Benschoten (0-2, 4.30)

In his last start, Suppan picked up his first quality start since May 27th against the Padres. Suppan threw six innings and gave up three runs against the Astros last Wednesday. Lefties are hitting .343 this year against Suppan. He was 2-2 with a 7.68 in six starts in the month of June. In his career against the Pirates, Suppan is 9-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 16 starts. This season, Suppan is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA against the Pirates in two starts. Ronny Paulino is 4-8 with a double in his career against Suppan.

Van Benschoten will be making his fourth start of the season. In his last start, Van Benschoten gave up just two runs against the Marlins but only pitched four innings. He did walk five batters in the game and threw just 39 strikes out of 81 pitches. So far in three starts this year, Van Benschoten has walked ten batters and struck out nine. Van Benschoten faced the Brewers in his first stint in the big leagues in 2004. He missed all of 2005 and much of 2006 after surgery on both of his shoulders. Van Benschoten pitched five innings, gave up four runs, walked five and picked up the loss in that start against the Brewers. Geoff Jenkins was 2-3 with an double RBI against Van Benschoten in that game.

Tuesday - 3:05 PM CDT:

LHP Chris Capuano (5-5, 4.35) vs. LHP Shane Youman (0-0, 0.00)

Capuano is set to return to the Brewers' rotation after being on the DL because of strained groin. He was scratched from his start against the Tigers on June 13th. Capuano last pitched against Texas on June 8th when gave up six runs in four innings of work. The six runs Capuano gave up in that start tied for the most he has given up this year in any one start. In his career against the Pirates, Capuano is 2-6 with a 6.63 ERA in ten starts. Jason Bay is 8-19 with three homers and five RBI against Capuano in his career.

Youman will be called up from Triple A Indianapolis to fill in for the injured Zach Duke. This will be Youman's first appearance in the big leagues this season. Youman is 4-6 with a 4.70 ERA with Indianapolis this season. Last year, he was 0-2 with a 2.91 ERA in five appearances with the Pirates. Duke was scratched from this start due to tendinitis in his left elbow.

Wednesday - 3:05 PM CDT:

RHP Claudio Vargas (6-1, 4.29) vs. RHP Ian Snell (6-5, 2.90)

Once again, Vargas was unable to pitch more than six innings in his last start and again the Brewers won the game. Vargas pitched five innings, gave up four runs and picked up a no-decision against the Astros. The Crew is now 12-2 in games that Vargas starts. One of the possible reasons Ned Yost decided to use Vargas on Tuesday instead of Sunday is of Vargas' success against the Pirates. Vargas is 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA in seven career appearances, six of which were starts against the Pirates. Bay is 6-11 with two homers against Vargas in his career.

Snell had a nice outing last time out against the Nationals. He pitched seven innings and gave up two runs in a no-decision. Snell had a very solid month of June. He was 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA in five starts in the month of June. His WHIP of 1.17 in 2007 is much lower than his career number for that stat. Snell is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four career apperances against the Brewers. Prince Fielder is 4-9 with a double, homer and two RBI against Snell in his career.

Thursday - 11:35 AM CDT:

RHP Ben Sheets (10-3, 3.19) vs. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (8-4, 3.05)

Sheets picked up another win in the month of June last time out against the Cubs. He finished the month with a record of 5-0 in six starts in the month of June and could have easily been 6-0. Sheets currently has a six game winning streak dating back to late May. In his last start against the Cubs, Sheets threw eight innings, gave up four runs and struck out a season high 11 batters. Earlier this season, Sheets faced the Pirates at Miller Park. He gave up two runs in six and a third innings pitched in a no-decision. In his career against the Pirates, Sheets is 6-7 with a 2.90 ERA in 19 starts. Sheets has a career ERA of 2.65 at PNC Park.

Gorzelanny is coming a quality start against the Angels in which he gave up three runs in six innings of work. The month of June was the worst yet for Gorzelanny but his ERA is still right around 3. Gorzelanny faced the Brewers earlier this year at Miller Park. He beat the Brewers by throwing seven innings while allowing two runs. In his career against the Brewers, he is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA in three apperances, two of which were starts. Fielder and Kevin Mench are both 2-6 against Gorzelanny in their careers.