Milwaukee Brewers are 5-5 through their first 10 games of the season. That’s something I think most fans would have taken at the start of Spring Training. What’s been interesting this week during their three-game winning streak is their starting pitching has been immaculate for the last three games with Jimmy Nelson being the latest shutting down a Cincinnati Reds offense that had been smoking hot prior to this game.

Player of the Game (Brewers): Jimmy Nelson (P) – There were some good bats, but Nelson takes the cake in this one. We thought this might be a troublesome spot for him early when Billy Hamilton manufactured a run in the first, but Nelson settled in just fine after that. Nelson went seven strong innings only allowing the run in the first and giving up five hits with five strikeouts. Jimbo continues to be strong to start the year.

(Not) Player of the Game (Brewers): Travis Shaw (3B) – Rough game for the Mayor who has hit the skids after a fast start. Shaw went 0-for-4 only taking nine pitches in four at-bats. That’s not very productive from him. I wonder with Domingo Santana’s hot bat if they move him to cleanup. I could also see a case for Eric Thames and have Shaw see pitches before Ryan Braun.

Player of the Game (Reds): Zach Cosart (SS) – No one really played that well for Cincinnati. Zach Cosart is red hot to start the year, and he keeps it up here with a three-hit nigh for Cincinnati.

Positive: Bottom of the order starts rally, big boys finish it – Love what I saw in the third inning of this one. Manny Pina and Orlando Arcia (By the way, three-hit night for the young shortstop) both get singles to begin the frame. Nelson does his job of moving the runners over, and the top three in the order manufacture the runs with Braun’s big fly being the exclamation point. Beautiful baseball.

Negative: You’re free, Crew – I’m not sure I have anything tonight. I wanted to be mad about getting two caught stealings, but it is what it is with trying to thieve bases.

Next up: Do you like offense? This game is the one for you. Tommy Milone squares off against Scott Feldman. I know the Brewers pitching staff has been unreal, but this is where it ends. Warm-ish night in Cincy again with two home run machines and it’s going to be ugly.

Charlie.