Kyle Lohse Gives Milwaukee Brewers Best Chance Against St. Louis Cardinals

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Lohse will now face off against his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday night. Lohse was scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs, but the game was postponed due to heavy rain. There is no question this is a blessing for the Brewers as Lohse gives his new team the best chance to defeat the Cardinals.

The 34-year-old was outstanding in his first start of the 2013 Major League Baseball season. Lohse allowed only one earned run on five hits while striking out five batters in six innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Friday. He certainly pitched well enough for the win, but Milwaukee’s bullpen faltered in the later innings. Not to mention, there was a severe lack of run support with Ryan Bran and Aramis Ramirez both out of the lineup with injuries.

Lohse posted a 55-35 record with a 3.90 earned run average in 137 games over a five-year span with St. Louis. His numbers improve at Busch Stadium where he is 30-17 with a 3.40 ERA in 73 starts. The Brewers are hoping Lohse will be able to harness some of that magic on Friday.

The right-hander knows his former teammates well so hopefully that will benefit the Brewers over the weekend. Lohse can give detailed scouting reports on the St. Louis pitchers, while he can also show Milwaukee’s pitchers how to go after certain batters. Granted, this also means that the Cardinals will know how to attack Lohse.

The Brewers desperately need to take the series against the Cardinals after their dismal start to the season. Beginning 2-6 is not what Milwaukee had in mind, but considering all of the players already on the disabled list, the slow start is understandable. Regardless, Milwaukee has a great opportunity to turn things around and that is exactly what they must do over the weekend.