Brewers vs Diamondbacks Game 3 MLB Playoffs 2011 Odds: The Brewers proved to be unbeatable at Miller Park this year, which transferred over into the first two games of the 2011 postseason. Now, it’s time to see how good of a road team these guys really are, as the best-of-five series shifts to the West Coast for Game 3 and if necessary Game 4.
A crucial elimination showdown is in store for us tonight from Chase Field, the site for the matchup between the MLB Betting Odds favorites, (2-0) Milwaukee Brewers [-115] and the (0-2) Arizona Diamondbacks [+105]. Get $50 in Free MLB Picks Here!
First pitch is scheduled for just a little after 9:30 PM ET (8:30 PM CT/6:30 PM PT) and TBS Sports will be taking over broadcasting duties following Game 4 between the Yankees and Tigers.
Tonight’s pitching duel is very one-sided when speaking of overall regular season experience. On the hill, trying to sweep the series for Milwaukee tonight, will be the sixth-year man out of Southwest Missouri State, RHP Shaun Marcum (2011 season: 13-7, 3.54 ERA).
Despite not having any postseason experience, Marcum has had plenty of familiarity with pitching in the majors. The Brewers have done a good job of slowly working him into a starter. This season, Marcum surpassed the 200th-innings pitched plateau, walking just 57 batters, striking out 158, and holding a stingy WHIP of 1.16 for the Brewers.
Overall in his pro career, Marcum has appeared in 153 MLB games, out of which 128 have been starts, for a total of 792.2 innings pitched. In his 6 years, he holds a decent record (50-32) and a respectable ERA (3.77), as he now looks to add his first MLB Playoffs start to his resume.
In contrast, his green opponent tonight will be starting in just his 24th contest. Collmenter pitched a total of 154.1 IP in his MLB debut, fanning out an even 100 batters, issuing 28 free passes, and allowing hitters to bat just .237 against him. In his last 10 games of the season, he registered a 3-3 mark, to go along with a 3.84 ERA.
Does D-Backs manager Kirk Gibson really believe he can have a rookie come up big and extend Arizona's season and force a Game 4 at home?
"I think against the Brewers I had a lot of things working," Collmenter said. "I was able to establish the fastball and I think really kept them uncomfortable. And as the game got on, I think them being such an aggressive team, it got them frustrated. And then you can flip that aggressiveness around on them, make them swing at pitches they're not necessarily comfortable swinging at."
My Game 3 MLB Playoffs 2011 Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks [+1.5].
