Milwaukee's Colin Rea will be on the mound when the Brewers begin a three-game road series on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. But instead of a showdown with Atlanta ace Chris Sale, the Brewers will be matched against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder (2-4, 5.67 ERA), who was recalled Monday afternoon and will pitch the series opener.
Atlanta, in second place in the National League East, won two of three against the NL Central-leading Brewers last week in Milwaukee. The Braves were 5-1 against the Brewers in 2023. Rea (9-3, 3.
59) faced the Braves last Monday and did not get a decision after going 5 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on three hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. Rea has made four career starts against Atlanta, going 1-0 with a 4.70 ERA.
Rea has started 18 games and turned in a quality start six times. Opponents are batting only .233 and he has surrendered 16 home runs.
Elder was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett when the team opted to put right-hander Reynaldo Lopez on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. Sale will start Wednesday and Charlie Morton will be pushed to Thursday, giving both two extra days between starts. Elder was in a similar situation on Tuesday when he was recalled for a start against the Brewers.
He responded with one of his best starts of the season, throwing 6 1/3 innings and allowing one run on five hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. He was returned to Triple-A after the game and has not pitched since. Both teams are comi.
