Brewers (55-43) @ Reds (41-58) - Series Preview

The Brewers hit the road for the first time after the All-Star Game break. The Crew begin the eight-game trip with a four-game series against the Reds. The Brewers finished 6-4 on their ten-game homestand against the Rockies, Diamondbacks and Giants.

Ned Yost put Rickie Weeks back at the top of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants. Weeks reached base three times in the game with two hits and a walk. Also, it looks like Manny Parra will be starting for the Brewers in one of the games of a doubleheader on Saturday against the Cardinals.

Pitching match ups:

Monday - 6:10 PM CDT:

LHP Chris Capuano (5-6, 4.96) vs. RHP Aaron Harang (10-2, 3.63)

Capuano pitched very well in his last start which was against the Diamondbacks. The southpaw gave up two earned runs and five hits in seven innings of work. It was Capuano's first quality start since June 2nd against the Marlins. However, even with Capuano's solid outing, the Brewers lost the game and have lost the last ten games that Capuano has started. Capuano beat the Reds earlier this year which was also at Great American Ball Park. He pitched five and two thirds innings, gave up four hits and three runs, none of which were earned. In his career against the Reds, Capuano is 2-3 with a 5.30 ERA in six starts. Ryan Freel is 5-13 with a double, a homer and two RBI in his career against Capuano.

Harang been solid all year long for the Reds. He is one of the only bright spots on one of the worst pitching staffs in the bigs. In his last start, Harang picked up a no-decision after throwing seven and two thirds innings and giving up two earned runs against the Braves. Harang's ERA in both June and July is under three. In his career against the Crew, Harang is 4-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 11 starts. Some good news for Harang is that Bill Hall will not activated from the DL until Wednesday so he will not face the Brewers center fielder in this start. Hall is 14-33 with four doubles, two homers and seven RBI against Harang in his career. Kevin Mench is 5-7 against Harang with a double and a homer.

Tuesday - 6:10 PM CDT:

RHP Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 2.34) vs. RHP Matt Belisle (5-6, 5.13)

Gallardo has filled in nicely for the injured Ben Sheets so far. He has pitched ten and two thirds scoreless innings since replacing Sheets in the game that Sheets left early due to a sprained middle finger on his right hand. In his last start, Gallardo threw six scoreless innings and gave up just three hits while striking out four and walking two. Gallardo will be facing the Reds for the first time in his career. In his first seven big league appearances, one stat that stands out for Gallardo is his batting average against which is just .198.

Belisle is looking for his first win since May 29th against the Astros. In his last start, Belisle gave up five runs, four earned in four and two thirds innings of work. The Reds had lost seven straight starts by Belisle until getting a win in his last start. Belisle faced the Brewers earlier this year and gave up five runs in five and one third innings of work. The Reds won the game and Belisle picked up a no-decision. Belisle is 1-2 with a 8.04 ERA in ten career apperances against the Brewers. All of the those appearances were in relief except the start against the Brewers from earlier this year. Johnny Estrada is 3-5 with two doubles and two RBI against Belisle in his career.

Wednesday - 6:10 PM CDT

RHP Jeff Suppan (8-8, 4.92) vs. RHP Kyle Lohse (5-12, 4.71)

Suppan battled through five innings in his last start. He gave up three runs and nine hits but kept the Brewers in the game against the Giants. The Brewers were unable to hold on to the lead in the game and lost to the Giants. Suppan has not pitched seven innings or more in any start since June 1st against the Marlins. Yost has stated that Damian Miller will be catching Suppan for the time being because Suppan seems to pitch better with Miller behind the plate. Suppan is 2-0 with a 6.37 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds. Ken Griffey Jr. is 11-19 with five homers and 11 RBI against Suppan in his career.

Lohse is coming off a tough start against the Marlins. He gave up eight hits, seven runs, four of which were earned in a loss. Lohse is 2-2 with 2.67 ERA at home this season. However, Lohse is 3-10 with a 5.28 ERA in night games in 2007. In his career against the Brewers, Lohse is 2-3 with a 6.31 ERA in seven apperances, six of which were starts. Mench is 6-14 with three doubles in his career against Lohse. Tony Graffanino is 9-21 against Lohse with a double and two RBI. Most of those at-bats against Lohse for those two hitters came when Lohse was a member of the Twins between 2001-2006.

Thursday - 11:35 AM CDT

RHP Dave Bush (8-8, 4.83) vs. LHP Bobby Livingston (2-1, 3.52)

Bush was out pitched in his last start by the Giants' Tim Lincecum who shut down the Brewers for eight innings. The Brewers were unable to give Bush any run support during the entire game. Bush gave up three runs in six innings while striking out seven. Earlier this year against the Reds, Bush gave up four runs in five innings and picked up a no-decision. Bush is 1-1 with a 6.67 ERA in five career starts against the Reds. Scott Hatteberg is 7-17 with two doubles, a homer and three RBI against Bush in his career.

Livingston was charged with the loss in his last start even though he gave up just three runs in six innings of work against the Marlins. The Reds ended up losing the game 11-1. Even though Livingston's ERA is very solid in his four starts this year, his batting average against is .340. Livingston made his big league debut last year with the Mariners. This will be Livingston's first time facing the Brewers in his career.