Game Preview – Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants: Lineups and notes for the series opener

Ryan Vogelsong and Wily Peralta will square off on the mound for the series opener of the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants’ three game set. The game brings the National League Central leading Brewers to AT&T Park for a key series in terms of the playoff picture. Peralta is among the leaders in wins, but remember; wins mean nothing. His ERA is very similar to Vogelsong’s, so the pitching matchup is very even.

Lineups

The Giants will line up as follows:

Angel Pagan CF

Joe Panik 2B

Buster Posey C

Pablo Sandoval 3B

Hunter Pence RF

Michael Morse 1B

Gregor Blanco LF

Brandon Crawford SS

Ryan Vogelsong P

The Brewers will line up as follows:

Carlos Gomez CF

Scooter Gennett 2B

Ryan Braun RF

Aramis Ramirez 3B

Jonathan Lucroy C

Gerardo Parra LF

Lyle Overbay 1B

Elian Herrera SS

Wily Peralta P

Notes

The Giants will essentially lineup as they did last night, only with the addition of Morse. Panik will get another shot at hitting second, which is good. Very good. Panik is made to hit in the two hole. Pence will hit fifth, which I’m not too sure about. Yes, I want him in a better RBI spot in the lineup, as oppose to the two hole, however, I think he should still hit in front of Sandoval, Morse and Posey to utilise his run scoring ability.

The Brewers bench the power hitting Reynolds in place of Overbay. Khris Davis, another home-run threat, is benched for the defensive expert, Parra. Both moves make sense given this game is being played in AT&T Park, not the friendliest place for home run hitters. The struggling Segura will sit, Herrera will start at short. Gomez is the man to watch. He can set the game alight with the bat and his glove. You will probably hate him by the end of series.

The Giants bullpen will be interesting to watch. In light of Romo’s recent success, Bochy has revealed the Giants will now be operating a closer by committee. Essentially, the ninth inning, providing the save is actually on the table, will be handed to the pitcher who’s splits against whoever is due up are the best. Personally, I want to see Romo back in the ninth, for old times sake and for his dominant month of August.