AP Sports Preview

MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — The San Diego Padres open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night at American Family Field, where clear skies and a game-time temperature of 44 degrees are expected.

San Diego (24-16) will start right-hander Matt Waldron (1-1). Waldron enters after a no-decision in his last outing. Milwaukee (22-16) counters with right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-2), who is seeking his first win of the season. Sproat has struggled with command and run support early in his campaign.

The Padres took two of three from St. Louis in their previous series, capped by a 3-2, 10-inning win Sunday. Right-hander Walker Buehler, a player to watch for San Diego, earned the victory in that game, tossing six innings of three-hit ball, allowing two earned runs with two strikeouts. Buehler improved to 3-2 on the season with the win. Over his last five starts, Buehler has a 4.18 ERA (15 earned runs in 23 2/3 innings) with 20 strikeouts.

The Padres’ bullpen has been reliable in recent games. Ron Marinaccio threw two perfect innings with three strikeouts Sunday to earn a hold.

Milwaukee swept New York in a three-game series at home, capping it with a 4-3 victory Sunday. Right-hander Logan Henderson, a player to watch for the Brewers, started that game and went five innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs with five strikeouts. Henderson earned the win and has been solid in two starts, posting a 3.27 ERA (four earned runs in 11 innings) with 13 strikeouts. Brice Turang went 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI in Sunday’s win. Closer Trevor Megill recorded his seventh save with a scoreless ninth.

The Brewers have won four of their last five games overall.

San Diego has been installed as a -1.5 run favorite per Interstat’s odds. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.5. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 Brewers win.

Following Tuesday’s contest, the teams play Wednesday and Thursday before the Padres travel to Seattle for a three-game series. Milwaukee will then head to Minnesota for a three-game set beginning Friday.

The Padres have won six of their last 10 games. The Brewers have won seven of their last 10.