Game Thread #21: Milwaukee Brewers (14-6) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (11-11)

The Brewers open a four-game set at PNC Park in Pittsburgh this evening, their first meeting with their division rival this season. Pittsburgh started the season hot, and at this time last week was 11-5 and tied atop the NL Central with the Brewers. But they suffered consecutive sweeps this week at the hands of the Mets and the Red Sox and now, having lost six straight, sit at 11-11. Milwaukee went 4-2 last week, dropping two of three at home to San Diego but sweeping the Cardinals on the road in St. Louis.

Joe Ross will start tonight for the Brewers, with Jared Jones on the hill for Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old lefty Jones is a big Pittsburgh prospect—ranked No. 62 by MLB and No. 74 by Baseball America entering the season—and has lived up to the hype thus far. He’s made four starts, striking out 32 batters and walking just two in 23 innings, giving him the current league lead in BB/9 (0.8) and K:BB (16), to go along with a 3.13 ERA and 0.783 WHIP.

Tonight’s Brewers lineup sees Jake Bauers return from the bereavement list to hit in the cleanup spot and play first base, with Rhys Hoskins as the DH. Pittsburgh will feature two recent Brewers in their lineup, with Andrew McCutchen leading off and Rowdy Tellez batting fourth.

First pitch is at 5:40 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.