Milwaukee and Cleveland – Just like the old days

Has it been this long already? The Milwaukee Brewers came into existence thanks to the failure of then Seattle Pilots and opened for business in 1970. Milwaukee at that time was an American League franchise, before moving to the National League in 1998, causing the imbalance of teams in each league. For many years, the Brew Crew and the Cleveland Indians were division rivals and they will renew acquaintances on ESPN near the shores of Lake Erie Monday night.

These teams also share bit of history, but only in the movies. The fictional movie “Major League” was about the Cleveland Indians, however, most of the stadium and game scenes were filmed in Milwaukee, at the old County Stadium (which is part of the parking lot for Miller Park), as were several other scenes shot at various locations around the city. Even long-time Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker, was the infamous “Harry Doyle”, the voice of the Wahoos. (Thanks, Paramount Pictures)

These teams have not met since 2006, also in Cleveland and have faced one another just once since 2001. Dating back to 1998, when they started competing as interleague opponents, Milwaukee holds an 8-7 edge.

Milwaukee (34-29) has been slumping of late, losing six of seven and nine of last 13. The Brewer bats have been the reason for their failures, scoring more than four runs just once in those defeats. The Crew has lost their last four interleague road games and are +113 money line underdogs according to DiamondSportsbook.com, thanks in part to starter Dave Bush (3-3, 4.58 ERA, 1.258 WHIP). Though 2-2 on the road this season (Milwaukee 2-3 in his starts), Bush is a notoriously dreadful road pitcher and has a laundry list of bad numbers.

· Bush is 8-25 in road games in the first half of the season. (Team's Record)
· Bush is 21-49 in road games. (Team's Record)
· Bush is 10-30 as a road underdog of +100 to +150. (Team's Record)
· Bush is 6-21 as a road underdog of +100 to +125. (Team's Record)
· Bush is 1-14 in road games vs. teams whose hitters strike out seven or more times a game. (Team's Record)

Those pathetic numbers would normally make one believe Milwaukee should be an even bigger underdog, but not against this Cleveland club. The Indians have started slow and kept right at the same pace. Mediocre starting pitching, wildly inconsistent offense and closer Kerry Wood blowing a number of saves early, have Cleveland (29-36) fighting to get back to .500.

Only Washington has surrendered as many runs as the Tribe and its not a mere coincidence no team has walked as many batters in the American League as have the Indians. (Harry Doyle- “Just a bit outside”) Cleveland is 3-8 at Progressive Field against teams with winning records and 3-8 as favorites of -150 or less.

One of the brighter spots this season has been pitcher Carl Pavano (6-5, 5.40, 1.344). For the most part Pavano has exceed expectations, with two starts in which he allowed nine runs, directly relating to blowing up his ERA, including his last against Kansas City. With the total at Un9.5, Cleveland has won six of Pavano’s seven starts when the total is between 9 -10.5.
Milwaukee and Bush are 11-2 UNDER as visitors in night games over the last two seasons, while Cleveland is 17-5 UNDER vs. a starting pitcher who gives up one or more long balls a start during the same period.

Pavano should throw first pitch a little after 7 Eastern and the Tribe is 29-15 playing on Monday’s over the last three years.