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Sabathia looks to remain unbeaten in NL

Sep 10, 2008 - 10:13 AM Cincinnati (65-79) at Milwaukee (82-63) 2:05 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers are enduring one of their worst stretches of the season. The wild-card race that they looked to be firmly in their grasp is starting to look more tenuous by the day.

The closest thing they have to a certainty will get the call on Wednesday. CC Sabathia (9-0, 1.42 ERA) looks to make it 10 straight wins since joining the National League as the Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds.

As the Houston Astros (78-67) have stormed into contention with 12 wins in 13 games, the Philadelphia Phillies (79-66) remain three games back while still fighting for the National League East crown and the St. Louis Cardinals (78-66) continue to linger, the Brewers' road toward their first playoff berth since 1982 looks more treacherous than it did last month.

But they have an ace in the hole, and it's Sabathia, who has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball since being acquired from the Cleveland Indians in July. He was dominant in his last start, going seven innings and allowing one run in a 3-2 Brewers extra-inning win over the San Diego Padres. He was even better in his previous start, tossing a one-hit shutout. The hit in that game came on a controversial scoring decision.

Though the law of averages may dictate the burly lefthander is due for a loss, the Brewers have never needed a vintage Sabathia start more than now. They have lost seven of their last nine, and the Reds have done some of the worst damage over the last two days. On Monday, they scored three runs in the ninth off Milwaukee closer Salomon Torres to rally for a win, and on Tuesday came from behind once again to take a 5-4 victory in the 11th inning.

Cincinnati's starter, veteran righty Bronson Arroyo (14-10 4.84), is on his own hot streak. He has won his last four starts in near-dominant fashion, giving up two runs or less each time. The last time he faced the Brewers, an August 4 meeting in Cincinnati, he limited them to one run and four hits in six innings of a 6-3 victory.