Brewers pitcher Guerra looks to resume 2-strike dominance
Junior Guerra is back for Milwaukee and the Brewers hope he's back in the form he showed from May-July.
Guerra, a waiver claim pickup last October, emerged as Milwaukee's best starter this season, but after one start in August in which he allowed four runs in four innings, he headed to the disabled list due to a right-elbow injury.
But he's back in the rotation; activated from the DL on Friday.
He returns still leading the major leagues in lowest opponent batting average with two strikes on the hitter.
LOWEST OBA WITH 2 STRIKES (Min. 10 starts)
| Pitcher | Team | OBA |
| Junior Guerra | Brewers | .107 |
| Jake Arrieta | Cubs | .111 |
| Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | .111 |
| Lance McCullers | Astros | .124 |
| Mashario Tanaka | Yankees | .126 |
Guerra actually gets better the deeper into a two-strike count he gets, full count excluded.
GUERRA VS. HITTERS WITH 2 STRIKES
| Count | BA | OBP | SLG |
| 0-2 | .103 | .103 | .103 |
| 1-2 | .071 | .070 | .161 |
| 2-2 | .057 | .057 | .094 |
| 3-2 | .231 | .483 | .385 |
The start before Guerra had to leave early and go on the DL was against Pittsburgh. He allowed just one run in 8 2/3 innings in that July 29 start.
Other notes:
-- Hernan Perez's .531 slugging percentage vs. Pittsburgh is his highest against any opponent in his career (min. 25 plate appearances).
-- The Brewers are on pace for 179 stolen bases this season, which would be the fifth-most in the majors since 1997.
-- Pittsburgh's Gregory Polanco is batting .313 at home compared to just .234 on the road. Jody Mercer also has a big home/road split, batting .303 at PNC Park and .226 away.
Statistics courtesy STATS LLC and baseball-reference.com
