In past years when the Milwaukee Brewers were going through struggles, the Pittsburgh Pirates were usually just what the doctor ordered. That may not be the case this time around.
Milwaukee opens a 3-game weekend series with the Pirates tonight at PNC Park. Pittsburgh has rattled off 6-straight victories and sits at 48-30 on the season. They are tied with St. Louis for first in the NL Central and for the best record in baseball. Milwaukee’s loss to Chicago Thursday sent them back to the cellar in the NL Central with a 32-45 mark.
Johnny Hellweg will make is Major League debut tonight for the Brewers. He replaced Alfredo Figaro in the rotation when Figaro was placed on the DL with an oblique strain. Hellweg was part of the Zack Greinke deal with the Angels at last year’s trade deadline. So far in 2013, Hellweg was 7-4 with a 2.82 ERA at Triple-A Nashville.
Friday’s first pitch is 6:05.