Tyler Black bats cleanup in second MLB game
The Brewers take on the struggling Tampa Bay Rays today in the series finale after a frisky win in which Tyler Black made his major league debut. Black’s presence quickly made an impact, even earning a spot in today’s lineup as the cleanup hitter.
Black entered last night’s game as a pinch runner, so this will be his first career start. He will play first base, alongside Brice Turang, Willy Adames, and Oliver Dunn in the infield.
Jake Bauers takes left field with Blake Perkins in center field and Sal Frelick in right field. Bauers has found more success at the plate lately with a 124 wRC+ over his last seven games.
Rhys Hoskins will be the designated hitter and William Contreras starts behind the dish. Since April 23, this duo has done some heavy lifting for the Milwaukee lineup. Contreras has especially impressed with his hot start to the season. Over the last eight games, he is slashing .323/.389/.484 for a 145 wRC+.
Colin Rea will make his sixth start of the season. His stat lines are certainly difficult to break down, as his 3.25 actual ERA stands in stark contrast to his 5.29 FIP. While Rea is coming off his worst start of the season, allowing five runs in six innings to the Yankees, he has pitched at least five innings in each of his starts. The Rays provide a good matchup for Rea, as Tampa Bay ranks 20th in baseball with a .369 slugging percentage against righties.
The Rays will have Zach Eflin on the mound. Eflin had an excellent 2023 but has been slow to find that same success so far this season. He has a 4.08 ERA with a dip in his strikeout rate and groundball rate. He has, however, pitched three straight games of at least six innings and didn’t allow a run in two of those starts.
First pitch is at 12:10 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.
Tyler Black: cleanup hitter
: @BallySportWI
: @620wtmj #ThisIsMyCrew X @fleet_farm pic.twitter.com/TPGxAhCJWV— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 1, 2024
One more in the Midwest. pic.twitter.com/i7TgzWBbQX
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 1, 2024