Series Finale in Milwaukee a Watershed Game

The Pirates wrap up their first month of the season with the final game of this 3 game series in Milwaukee. After losing the first two, with Jeff Karstens struggling a bit in the opener and the bullpen (particularly Tyler Yates) giving the game away in the 8th and Paul Maholm not able to hold a 4 run lead last night, the Pirates have now lost 14 consecutive games to the Brewers and 17 straight in Miller Park. Ian Snell takes this hill this afternoon, hoping to lead the Bucs to a very much needed win.

This game today feels a little extra significant to me. Not that one game in April can decide a season, but I think today's might be a bit of an indicator as to whether the Pirates can maintain their strong start.

A loss, and the Pirates fall to 11-10. It would be yet another loss to the Brewers, just like last year. The Bucs would limp into May, coming off a 2-4 road trip, and tied with the Brewers in the division, heading into a tough stretch in the schedule, with the Reds, these Brewers again, Cardinals and Mets being the opponents for the next 13 games.

But a win today would propel the Pirates into the next month with a record of 12-9, which sounds a lot better than the alternative. The Bucs would have broken two significant losing streaks and knocked the Brewers a little further back in the standings. The Pirates would head into a short home stand with a little momentum. And maybe, just maybe, Nate McLouth would return Friday.

Okay, so McLouth might return Friday anyway. But still, it does feel to me that this game will set the tone for the coming weeks of the season. And Ian Snell does actually have good numbers against the Brewers. In 5 career starts, Snell is 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 32 strike outs in 34 innings. I knew he had a winning record against them, but I did not realize his numbers were that good. Of course he's facing Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers only legitimately good pitcher. And Gallardo has pretty good numbers against the Bucs, which I won't print here, so our spirits can remain high.