Milwaukee, WI
Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals
It was always going to be tough for the Milwaukee Brewers to repeat as division champions this season, but the Brew Crew heads home for a chance to take on the struggling St. Louis Cardinals.
The classic rivalry is set up as a contrast of sorts from preseason expectations. While the Brewers were expected to take a step back after losing players like Corbin Burnes, the Cardinals were hopeful a fresh corps of starters and offensive bounce backs could lead to contention.
Instead, the Brewers have a chance to build on their early standing in the division while adding to the Cardinals’ struggles. The Cardinals’ 15-21 record leaves them sitting six games behind the Brewers. Their inability to match other competitive teams has been a notable narrative during their season with a 7-14 record against teams with at least a .500 winning percentage.
After the team’s hot start, the Brewers have played to a fairly middling pace over the last two weeks. Entering play on Wednesday, Milwaukee ranked 14th in runs scored and 17th in ERA over the last 15 days. That’s hardly a bad omen, but it shows the recent struggles to build on their dominant start. Although the squad has scuffled offensively, there is still an abundance of lineup options to work through any issues.
Even though the Brewers have slowed from their torrid pace, the problems in St. Louis are much more magnified. The offense hasn’t come close to resembling the blueprint that the Cardinals would have had upon the start of the season. Over the past 30 games, St. Louis ranks 28th in runs scored while averaging a mere 3.2 runs per game. A recent injury to Willson Contreras will sting the Cardinals even more as he was their only hitter performing at an All-Star level. Players to watch in his absence include Alec Burleson and Nolan Arenado, who have both found some form in recent weeks.
The pitching for St. Louis has been better than last season, but not good enough to carry the team through their offensive slump. The three big additions to their rotation have performed more than well enough to keep the team competitive, but the lineup hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. Sonny Gray (0.89 ERA) has continued his Cy Young form from last season. Lance Lynn (3.28 ERA) and Kyle Gibson (3.68 ERA) have been solid, but their underlying numbers hint towards that production possibly regressing in the future.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Thursday, May 9 @ 6:40 p.m: Tobias Myers (6.23 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (0.89 ERA)
The Brewers most difficult test of the series will come in Game 1 as they face down Sonny Gray. The runner-up in last year’s Cy Young race, Gray has continued right where he left off. Not only is his 0.89 ERA a stunning statistic, but he’s pitched even better than his exceptional 2023 campaign.
He is striking out batters at a career-high rate. Batters can’t square up his pitches, with just a 29.6% hard-hit rate allowed. His two breaking balls have been untouchable. His curveball and sweeper have allowed batting averages of just .133 and .138, respectively. He’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past year and one of the few highlights of this Cardinals season.
Tobias Myers has stumbled out of the gates in his rookie season, so it will be fascinating to see how he attacks this Cardinals lineup. Myers’ 6.23 ERA doesn’t offer much for encouragement, but there is still plenty of room for growth. He has succeeded at getting batters to chase out of the zone, but he has had problems with his cutter. As he adapts his approach and pitch mix, his development will be an interesting storyline.
Friday, May 10 @ 7:10 p.m: TBD vs. TBD
Saturday, May 11 @ 7:10 p.m: Freddy Peralta (3.49 ERA) vs. Kyle Gibson (3.68 ERA)
Freddy Peralta has been ace-adjacent this year, but he hasn’t lived up to the standards he would set for himself. His first four starts were excellent, but his three most recent outings have left something to be desired. He didn’t make it through six innings in any of those games while allowing a 6.00 ERA.
Peralta is still one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in baseball, so his dip in production is likely to be a short-term issue. He is in the 91st percentile in strikeout rate and his slider has allowed a .050 batting average- which seems like it’s hardly a real number. He has allowed more damage on his fastball, but Peralta is more than capable of making the adjustments necessary.
Kyle Gibson has some terrible expected stats (5.44 xERA) but has continued to find success with a high groundball rate. He has stranded runners at a high clip this year even as his strikeout rate has dipped to his worst since 2016. Another pitcher for the Cardinals without elite velocity, Gibson has found success with a variety of breaking balls and offspeed pitches. His sweeper has allowed more hits this year, but he has forced a 41.2% whiff rate on the pitch.
His ability to mix-and-match with a variety of pitches has helped his sinker play up without needing to blaze past hitters. Lefties have had a particularly difficult time against Gibson this season with a .212 batting average. Just like Lynn, though, Gibson has been prone to hard contact.
Sunday, May 12 @ 1:10 p.m: Bryse Wilson (2.40 ERA) vs. TBD
Bryse Wilson has been one of the most unexpected breakouts of the season for Milwaukee. His 2.40 ERA has been a boon to the pitching staff, but his path to get to this point has been funky. In 2022, he pitched a career-high 115 2⁄3 innings with the Pirates with a 5.52 ERA. He moved to the bullpen when he came to Milwaukee, lowering his ERA to 2.58.
As this season developed, Wilson morphed once again into a starter, but has been excellent this time around. He’s now providing length and limiting damage. Over his last three starts, he has pitched to a 1.65 ERA while pitching six innings in his recent two outings. He allowed just eight hits in that time but needs to reduce the walks allowed to avoid more traffic. He doesn’t have an elite wipeout pitch, but his four primary pitches all have whiff rates over 20%. His performance has been unexpected, but his continued results will be a welcome sight in Milwaukee.
Prediction
The Brewers should be able to add to the Cardinals’ misery in this four-game showdown. Pitchers like Lynn and Gibson have been able to pitch to a low ERA so far, but it seems like a potentially combustible mix for the Cardinals if the Brewers can put together competitive at-bats throughout the entirety of the lineup. Not only is it potentially a get-right series for many of the Brewers hitters, but the St. Louis offense has played poorly this season. The Brewers could see several hitters break out of a slump, just as the Cardinals unfortunately lost their best hitter in Contreras. Although a four-game sweep isn’t out of the question, the Brewers have a chance to confidently take three out of four.
MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels
Partly sunny skies on Saturday with a slight chance for a few sprinkles or a shower.
Temperatures warmer on Saturday in the mid to upper 60s. Isolated 70s near the border. Breezy with winds gusting near 30mph.
Cooler temperatures in the upper 50s on Sunday (Mother’s Day) with increasing clouds. Patchy frost Saturday night into Sunday and Sunday night into Monday.
Next chance of rain and storms arrives on Tuesday.
Today: Partly sunny. A few showers possible. Breezy.
High: 67°
Wind: NW 10-25
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Patchy frost.
Low: 42°
Wind: NW 5-10
Sunday: Increasing clouds.
High: 57°
Wind: NW 5-15
Monday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 39° High: 59°
Wind: E 5-10
Tuesday: Warm and windy. Chance storms.
AM Low: 42° High: 68°
Wind: SW 10-25
Wednesday:Partly sunny.
AM Low: 46° High: 59°
Wind: NW 5-15
Thursday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 42° High: 64°
Wind: S 5-10
6-day planner
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
FOX Weather
Big picture view:
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
Milwaukee, WI
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Bobby Portis Foundation hosted a luncheon Friday at Roosevelt Middle School to honor teachers — many of whom are also mothers — with Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week overlapping on the calendar.
Portis and his mother, Tina Edwards, spent the day celebrating educators and reflecting on the mission behind the foundation.
“We just want to make sure that we let the teachers know you are appreciated because sometimes it goes beyond being a parent at home, but sometimes teachers are parents at school,” Edwards explained.
Ariel Campos, TMJ4 Sports
For Portis, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, the foundation has always been rooted in one person.
“The Bobby Portis Foundation has always just been solely based upon really my mom, and that’s the inspiration behind it,” Portis said.
WATCH: Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
Growing up, Portis watched his mother raise four boys on her own.
“My mom worked tirelessly to take care of all four of us,” Portis said.
Edwards made sacrifices for her sons from the very beginning — including turning down a basketball scholarship after becoming pregnant with Bobby.
“I still was offered a scholarship after I had him, but I wanted to choose him over ball,” Edwards said.
Tina Edwards
That sacrifice brought her full circle through her son’s career.
“With Bobby becoming an NBA player, he’s living my dream, and I’m living the dream through him,” Edwards shared.
For Portis, the event was an opportunity to honor everything his mother has given him.
“I can’t just put into words what my mom has done for me, not only for my basketball career – that’s just like a small portion of my life – I’m talking about just me as a human being, as a man. I mean, I didn’t have a dad growing up, so my mom played both roles. She did a hell of a job raising not only me but my three other brothers,” Portis said.
His grandmother’s message to spread his blessings continues to drive his work.
“Being able to be in a position now to have a voice, to have a platform, to give back, to help inspire. I try to use it to the best of my abilities,” Portis said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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MILWAUKEE — Saturday is the start of the food truck curfew in downtown Milwaukee. That curfew was passed by the Common Council to address safety concerns after several violent incidents.
Alma Juarez is with Tacos Almita on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Juarez said since the city passed the curfew, she’s had just over two weeks to adjust.
“We’re trying to think what we’re going to do,” said Juarez. “Maybe we’re going to start in another place or move the food truck after 10 p.m., but that means we have to start over again.”
She said that means she may also have to start building up a news customer base.
“Moving the truck means that… we have to struggle,” said Juarez.
Juarez is not alone in worrying about her financial future.
Last Thursday, a group of owners took their concerns to city hall. Jennifer Martinez, who’s with the food truck known as Tacos El Pastorcito Mixe, was at that demonstration. She said the late-night hours make up roughly 75% of her revenue.
“During the day, I’ve tried opening very early in the morning — 8 a.m. 9 a.m. — it doesn’t make a difference. There’s no… we don’t have much sales throughout the day,” said Martinez.
Ald. Robert Bauman represents downtown and was the sponsor of the ordinance.
Last week he told Spectrum News that he’s aware of the economic burden the truck operators are facing. However, he said safety concerns are a bigger priority.
“And MPD (Milwaukee Police Department) has said on the record repeatedly that food trucks are a major contributing cause for the loitering and disorder that takes place on Water Street,” said Bauman, who represents District 4 in Milwaukee.
He said he’s willing to take a hit on food trucks and prioritize the concerns of larger businesses.
“If they feel that downtown is not safe anymore, they’ll either not come at all, or they’ll leave as soon as their event is over with and not spend any additional money in the downtown area,” said Bauman.
But Juarez said the city shouldn’t have to do that. She said she believes food trucks aren’t the cause of the problem.
“You can see it in any places, but not here,” said Juarez. “It can happen here, but not in front of the food trucks cause they are saying that a lot of violence, a lot of the things that are going on is in front of the food truck. You can see that all the shooting happens after 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. Last shooting, it was after 1 a.m.”
Food truck owners said they hope to continue to turn a profit after the ordinance starts, but they said they face a potentially tough financial future.
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