PREVIEW

MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers open a three-game series Friday night at American Family Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT. Weather is forecast for 71 degrees and cloudy.

Pittsburgh (14-10) sends right-hander Paul Skenes (3-1) to the mound. The Pirates have won 10 of their last 14 games after an 8-4 victory at Texas on Wednesday. Milwaukee (13-11) counters with right-hander Brandon Woodruff (2-0). The Brewers dropped a 5-4 decision at Detroit on Thursday.

Players to watch

Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft has been dominant in his past five starts, posting a 2.11 ERA over 29⅔ innings with 32 strikeouts. He earned the win Wednesday at Texas, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings.

Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat has been inconsistent. Over his past five outings, he has a 6.90 ERA in 22⅓ innings. He took the loss Thursday against Detroit, giving up three runs on four hits in 5⅓ innings.

Recent results

Pittsburgh: Wednesday (Interstat) — Pirates 8, Rangers 4. Braxton Ashcraft (W, 3-1) threw seven innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with five strikeouts. CF Oneil Cruz went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. P Dennis Santana pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts.

Previous results (reverse order): Tuesday (Interstat) — Rangers 5, Pirates 1; Sunday (Interstat) — Pirates 6, Rays 3; Saturday (Interstat) — Rays 8, Pirates 7 (13); Friday (Interstat) — Pirates 5, Rays 1; April 16 (Interstat) — Nationals 8, Pirates 7 (10); April 15 (Interstat) — Pirates 2, Nationals 0; April 14 (Interstat) — Nationals 5, Pirates 4; April 13 (Interstat) — Pirates 16, Nationals 5; April 12 (Interstat) — Cubs 7, Pirates 6.

Milwaukee: Thursday (Interstat) — Tigers 5, Brewers 4. Brandon Sproat (L, 0-2) allowed three earned runs on four hits over 5⅓ innings with four strikeouts. CF-RF Blake Perkins went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. P Trevor Megill pitched a scoreless inning with no hits and no runs.

Previous results (reverse order): Wednesday (Interstat) — Tigers 5, Brewers 2; Tuesday (Interstat) — Brewers 12, Tigers 4; Sunday (Interstat) — Marlins 5, Brewers 3; Saturday (Interstat) — Brewers 5, Marlins 2; April 17 (Interstat) — Brewers 7, Marlins 5 (10); April 16 (Interstat) — Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1; April 15 (Interstat) — Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1; April 14 (Interstat) — Blue Jays 9, Brewers 7; April 12 (Interstat) — Nationals 8, Brewers 6; April 11 (Interstat) — Nationals 3, Brewers 1.

Simulation and odds

Interstat projects a 5-4 Pirates victory. Pittsburgh is a -1.5 run-line favorite. The over/under is 7.

Upcoming series

Pittsburgh: Friday at Milwaukee; Saturday at Milwaukee; Sunday at Milwaukee; Monday vs. St. Louis; Tuesday vs. St. Louis; Wednesday vs. St. Louis; Thursday vs. St. Louis; May 1 vs. Cincinnati; May 2 vs. Cincinnati; May 3 vs. Cincinnati; May 5 at Arizona.

Milwaukee: Friday vs. Pittsburgh; Saturday vs. Pittsburgh; Sunday vs. Pittsburgh; Tuesday vs. Arizona; Wednesday vs. Arizona; Thursday vs. Arizona; May 1 at Washington; May 2 at Washington; May 3 at Washington; May 4 at St. Louis; May 5 at St. Louis.