After a tremendous start to the season, the Milwaukee Brewers have faded down the stretch, but their postseason hopes aren't extinguished just yet.
Tuesday MLB viewing guide: Cardinals try to finish off Brewers
The Brewers need wins to buoy their fading playoff hopes, but they must go up against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Tuesday night.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday, the Brewers begin a crucial three-game series in St. Louis, which also marks the start of a season-defining nine-game road trip against NL Central foes. Milwaukee has won three of its last four contests after dropping 13 of 14 games prior to that, while the Cardinals have taken control of the division in September.
The Brewers now sit five games back in the NL Central and 1½ games behind the Pirates in the race for the second Wild Card. Milwaukee will need a strong outing from Wily Peralta, who comes into Tuesday with a 3.75 ERA (99 ERA+) after a solid performance against the Marlins in his last outing. The Cardinals will call on one of 2014's most unheralded performers in Lance Lynn (2.73 ERA, 136 ERA+).
Tuesday’s MLB schedule
| Time (ET) | Game | TV | Reason to watch |
7:05 p.m. | Blue Jays at Orioles | MASN2, Rogers Sportsnet | The Jays need every win they can get as they cling to fading Wild Card hopes. |
| 7:05 p.m. | Red Sox at Pirates | ROOT Pittsburgh, NESN | The Pirates can bolster their chances of a second straight trip to the postseason. |
| 7:10 p.m | Yankees at Rays | Sun Sports, YES Network | Michael Pineda hasn't pitched much this year, but when he has, he's been dominant. |
| 7:10 p.m. | Marlins at Mets | FOX Sports Florida, SNY | Bartolo Colon will get a chance to hit (and pitch) at the age of 41. |
| 7:10 p.m. | Nationals at Braves | FS South, MASN | Starters Tanner Roark and Aaron Harang are two of MLB's more unlikely success stories in 2014. |
| 8:00 p.m. | Brewers at Cardinals | ESPN, FS Midwest, FS Wisconsin | The Brewers begin a crucial nine-game road trip with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. |
| 8:05 p.m. | Reds at Cubs | WGN, FS Ohio | Johnny Cueto and Jake Arrieta would be NL Cy Young contenders in a world without Clayton Kershaw. |
| 8:10 p.m. | White Sox at Royals | FS Kansas City, CSN Chicago | The Royals could move a step closer to their first playoff berth in 20 years. |
| 8:10 p.m. | Tigers at Twins | FS North, FS Detroit | Rick Porcello has improved by leaps and bounds for the Tigers this season—and he's still only 25. |
| 8:10 p.m. | Indians at Astros | CSN Houston, SportsTime Ohio | Corey Kluber still has an outside shot at an improbable AL Cy Young award. |
| 8:40 p.m. | Dodgers at Rockies | ROOT RM, SportsNet LA | The Dodgers look to move closer to a second straight NL West title. |
| 9:40 p.m. | Giants at Diamondbacks | FS Arizona, CSN Bay Area | Jake Peavy has a 2.29 ERA over nine starts since joining the Giants in July. |
| 10:05 p.m. | Mariners at Angels | FS West, ROOT NW | The Mariners are in the thick of the Wild Card race, but have to face the red-hot Angels. |
| 10:05 p.m. | Rangers at Athletics | CSN California, FS Southwest | Can Jeff Samardzija help halt Oakland's plummet down the standings? |
| 10:10 p.m. | Phillies at Padres | CSN Philadelphia, FOX Sports San Diego | Offense may be at a premium. The two teams combined for five hits and just one run on Monday. |
- With Lance Lynn set to start for the Cardinals on Tuesday, Kevin Ruprecht writes at Beyond the Box Score about the adjustments that have driven Lynn's improved success in 2014, specifically against left-handed hitters.
- As the Mariners are pushed to the brink once again, Colin O'Keefe of Lookout Landing wonders if the M's can continue their strong play against good teams with their season on the line.
- Even Mr. Met is pledging his case for Jacob deGrom's Rookie of the Year candidacy:
#HairWeGo @JdeGrom19! pic.twitter.com/GWOE7i5RZb
— Mr. Met (@MrMet) September 15, 2014
See More:
