Coming off a winning homestand including taking two of three games from the Chicago Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers now have to head on the road. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially for their first stop.
The Brewers will be facing the New York Mets for three games. Since 2010, Milwaukee's winning percentage at New York is its best against any club.
BREWERS BEST ROAD WIN % SINCE 2010
The Brewers haven't just been playing better baseball at home recently. They've progressed in the entire month of May.
In April, the Brewers were 8-15 and scored just 3.87 runs per game while batting .223. In May, Milwaukee has a 10-8 record, scoring 4.89 runs per game and batting a more robust .270. The .048 increase in batting average is the second-largest improvement in the majors from April to May while the +1.02 in runs is eighth best.
Overall for May, Milwaukee's .270 average is seventh best in the major leagues while the .556 winning percentage and 4.89 runs/game are both tied for ninth.
One thing that could get in the way for the Brewers, however, is that the Mets have a +10 run differential at home since April 25, which is second-best in the National League over that time period. (Milwaukee, by the way, is at +5, which is third.)
Other notes:
-- In eight of the last 13 games played in New York between these two teams -- dating back to Aug. 21, 2011 -- the losing team has scored two or fewer runs. Milwaukee is 8-5 in those 13 games.
-- The Brewers are 7-7 against left-handed starters this season.
-- Wily Peralta has struggled this season, but his .231 opponent batting average against the Mets is his lowest vs. any team. He also has a 2.88 ERA when facing the Mets, which is his third-best mark against an opponent.
-- Jonathan Villar leads the National League in steals with 13. The Brewers have had only two players lead the league in steals in franchise history, and one of those times came when they were the Seattle Pilots. Tommy Harper's 73 steals led the American League in 1969 and Scott Podsednik led the National League in 2004 with 70 stolen bases.
-- Kirk Nieuwenhuis has already equaled his 2015 RBI total with 14 this season in 36 games. He played in 74 games last season.
-- The Mets have scored four or fewer runs in 11 straight games, the second-longest streak by any team this season (Phillies had 12, April 26-May 7).
-- Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz has won each of his last five starts, pitching at least six innings in each while also allowing two or fewer runs in those starts.
-- The Mets' Yoenis Cespedes has 13 home runs, which is tied for the second most after 40 games in team history. Dave Kingman had 15 in 1976.
Statistics courtesy STATS Inc.
