Bush's Future Unclear (MLB.com)

Bush's future unclear after Thursday
Milwaukee (50-41) vs. Colorado (39-53), Thurs., 1:05 p.m. CT
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

MILWAUKEE -- Dave Bush makes his final first-half start on Thursday against the Rockies. It will be some time before he knows when he'll pitch after that.

Bush's role is in limbo with the Brewers' addition of left-hander CC Sabathia, who, alongside Ben Sheets, gives the Brewers a potent 1-2 pitching punch, but also gives them six starters for five spots.

Sabathia, Sheets and Manny Parra are scheduled to lead the Brewers out of the All-Star break in a three-game series at San Francisco, July 18-20, and Jeff Suppan is expected to come off the disabled list when he's eligible on July 22. That leaves July 21 -- the opener of a four-game series at St. Louis -- for either Bush or Seth McClung.

The Brewers are giving some thought to a fifth starter platoon, in which McClung would make road starts and Bush would pitch at Miller Park.

Entering Thursday, Bush is 3-2 with a 2.87 ERA in eight starts at home and 1-6 with a 6.95 ERA in nine games, including eight starts, on the road. McClung, who started the season in the bullpen, is 1-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 appearances on the road and 4-3 with a 5.08 ERA in nine games at home.

"We'll be all right," Sheets said. "But this is not a two-man pitching staff, this is a five-man pitching staff. If we all 'do it,' we'll be good."

Pitching matchup
MIL: RHP Dave Bush (4-8, 4.74 ERA)
In his last outing, Bush had one of his best starts of the season, working quickly through eight solid innings. He allowed just one run on four hits, striking out a season-high seven batters and walking none. Bush was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning, on his way to a no-decision as he left the game with the score tied at 1 after having thrown 100 pitches. The Brewers won the game on a walk-off hit by Prince Fielder, and both manager Ned Yost and Bush were happy with the performance.

COL: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (3-4, 6.58 ERA)
De La Rosa rebounded from two straight poor outings to earn the win against Florida on Saturday. Against the Marlins, De La Rosa gave up three runs on six hits in five innings. He retired the first batter in each of the first four innings, which allowed him to avoid any serious trouble. De La Rosa is 2-1 with a 4.90 ERA since returning to the starting rotation on June 14.

Tidbits
Russell Branyan, Mike Cameron, Craig Counsell, Bill Hall, Gabe Kapler and Salomon Torres hosted 40 Milwaukee-area kids at Miller Park on Wednesday as part of the MLB Players Trust's "Buses for Baseball" program visits Milwaukee. The children, from Milwaukee's Latino Community Center, received round-trip transportation to the game, met the players and were given tickets, food, beverages and souvenirs. Many attended their first big league game. ... The team unveiled a new 20-game ticket plan that guarantees buyers 2008 postseason tickets. The plan, available through July 23 or until tickets are sold out, offers full 2008 postseason strip rights to each customer who purchases the 20-game package and places a deposit on a 2009 20-game package. "This will be the final opportunity for fans to purchase a 2008 season ticket plan with full postseason rights," said Brewers executive vice president of business operations Rick Schlesinger. ... The Brewers game at St. Louis on July 21 has been changed to a 6:08 p.m. CT first pitch to accommodate ESPN. The game will still be broadcast locally by FSN Wisconsin. ... The Reds, on Wednesday, scratched starter Aaron Harang from Sunday's first-half finale at Miller Park because of a sore right forearm. ... Right-hander Jake Odorizzi had a successful professional debut on Wednesday. The first-round supplemental Draft pick worked two scoreless innings in the Arizona Rookie League, allowing one hit with two strikeouts. He pitched comfortably at 92 mph, amateur scouting director Jack Zduriencik said. ... The Brewers have homered in nine straight games, matching their longest such streak of the season.

Bush is the man at home. Look at today's box score for further proof.

BOMBER wrote:Bush is the man at home. Look at today's box score for further proof.

could have used you yesterday...we need to play that outside mid like klugie was doing yesterday...keep it wide, even though our field is almost too narrow for that to be effective.