Milwaukee Brewers-San Francisco Giants Preview (8/5-8/8)

From now on, we are previewing the upcoming series with a variety of things. The pitching matchups with the TV times, five things to watch, notable musician from the opposing team's area, Twitter follows from the opposition and a prediction. 

Pitching Matchups/TV Times 
Monday: Tyler Thornburg (1-0 2.22) v. Chad Gaudin (5-2 2.64) 9:15 pm FSNWI
Tuesday: Wily Peralta (7-11 4.57) v. Matt Cain (7-6 4.57) 9:15 pm FSNWI
Wednesday: TBA v. Madison Bumgarner (11-6 2.69) 9:15 pm FSNWI
Thursday:  Donovan Hand (0-3 3.60) v. Tim Lincecum (5-11 4.43) 2:45 pm FSNWI

Five Things to Watch 
1.) Tyler Thornburg's stage - As I noted on this blog last week, I am a big fan of Thornburg. I believe he has figured it out from last season and could be a successful pitcher for this team moving forward. The Giants offense is inconsistent; sometimes they are potent and other times they will go to sleep. Thornburg will have the luxury of playing in a bigger ballpark than Wrigley Field. He will need to have all of his pitches working again for them tonight.  

2.) West coast stumble or success? - The Brewers are historically known for not being a very good team when they head out west. They do well here and there, but usually they struggle. Milwaukee plays the two last place in the National West and a team seven games under .500 in the American League West this week then play a playoff contender for two games. There is really no reason, the Brewers cannot go 4-3 or 3-4 this week and then Texas will be a crapshoot. This is not a good baseball team, but that does not mean they should lose every tough game out West. The Brewers need to get off to a good start this week.

3.) Matt Cain's rough 2013 - It is crazy to me, Wily Peralta and Matt Cain have the same earned run average. Cain struggled against the Brewers early this season and he has not been much better against other teams this year. Even though Cain pitched well in the last two games against Chicago and Philadelphia as of late, the Brewers are one team who always seem to have his number.

4.) Once again, a game of the mysterious TBA - Another week, another TBA on the probable pitcher board due to Tom Gorzelanny's elbow injury. Who will it be this week? My guess would be one of these three guys...Alfredo Figaro if they believe Gorzelanny does not need to spend time on the Disabled List. Marco Estrada is on the fringe of being ready to pitch again in the major leagues and he could come up if need be. The last choice might be Chris Narveson whose been pitching well right now in Nashville. I would be surprised if it is anyone other than these three players.  

5.) West coast baseball is the best coast -  I cannot express enough how much I love west coast baseball. I am a night owl and I do a lot of SnoTap work during the hours of 9 pm to 1 am. I enjoy baseball will be one while I work in the next three days. In related news, I could benefit from the MLB package.  

Notable Musician from San Francisco 


There are so many choices to choose from here ranging from The Grateful Dead to Papa Roach, but I landed on Third Eye Blind. Why? I love to listen to their music and no one can say no to 'Jumper' even if the lyrics are super depressing.

Notable Giants Tweeters
Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) is a great follow for baseball fans honestly but he gives great Giants insight as well. The same can be said for Wendy Thurm (@hangingsliders) who also gives awesome insight on Biogenesis as she practiced law for over 20 years, one of my favorite new follows of 2013.

Prediction
I feel like the Brewers will get a split

Charlie.