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Sabathia to make NL debut vs. Rockies

Jul 8, 2008 - 1:58 PM Colorado (38-52) at Milwaukee (49-40) 8:05 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- CC Sabathia makes his National League debut Tuesday as the Milwaukee Brewers host the Colorado Rockies.

Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on Monday in what could end up being the biggest deal leading up to the trade deadline at the end of the month.

The portly lefthander became available when the Indians fell out of contention in the AL Central. Milwaukee made a strong play for his services, offering up top prospect Matt LaPorta amongst others. The Brewers expect the move to help the franchise end a postseason drought that has lasted since 1982.

The left-handed Sabathia, who turns 28 on July 21, will become a free agent at the end of the season and already had turned down a lucrative contract extension to stay in Cleveland. It is believed he will test the market at the end of the season, meaning he may just be a three-month rental for Milwaukee.

"CC is one of the top pitchers in the game today," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "His addition to the starting rotation will be a major key in helping the team reach its ultimate goal of going to the postseason and beyond."

Sabathia went 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for Cleveland this season, but is 6-5 with a 2.16 ERA since April 22. He is 12-6 with a 3.74 ERA in 30 career starts against National League teams, including 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA in four starts against the Rockies during interleague play.

Colorado will counter with veteran lefthander Mark Redman, who is coming off his best start of the season Thursday against Florida. Redman surrendered just two runs and six hits is a season-high tying six frames but did not factor in the decision.

The Rockies took the series opener Monday, 4-3, as Matt Holliday homered and Ubaldo Jimenez struck out seven in seven scoreless frames.