Brewers can clinch tonight

Milwaukee needs a win over Pittsburgh and a Cubs loss in Atlanta to lock up the NL Central. The Pirates counter with a bullpen-heavy approach at PNC Park.

Lake Bachar opens for Pirates

Don Kelly taps reliever Lake Bachar as opener for the 6:40 p.m. game. Bachar has a 3.52 ERA in nine starts this season but will work briefly tonight.

Facing the Cy Young favorite

Jacob Misiorowski, 24, enters at 14-5 with a 1.95 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 161 1/3 innings. He's the overwhelming favorite for the NL Cy Young Award.

Historic batting average against

Opponents are hitting just .156 against Misiorowski this season. That figure would rank as one of the lowest marks ever recorded by a qualified starter.

“opponents are hitting just .156 against him this season, a figure that would stand as one of the lowest marks ever recorded”

Pure velocity dominance

Misiorowski is MLB's hardest-throwing starter, routinely sitting in triple digits. His upper-90s slider is elite, and he struck out nine Cubs on Sept. 8.

Griffin leads off at short

Konnor Griffin bats first at shortstop, followed by Brandon Lowe at second and Bryan Reynolds in right. Pittsburgh deploys its best lineup against elite velocity.

Cruz anchors middle of order

Oneil Cruz plays center field in the cleanup spot. Nick Gonzales, Ryan O'Hearn, Rafael Flores Jr., Spencer Horwitz, and Jake Mangum round out the lineup.

Strategy: put ball in play

The lineup prioritizes contact and power with Cruz, Reynolds, and Lowe. Griffin's speed at the top could disrupt if he reaches base against Misiorowski's dominance.

Pirates at .500, season fading

Pittsburgh enters 75-75 after competitive recent play, but postseason hopes have faded. Milwaukee has far higher stakes with a division title on the line tonight.