Stephen Nover Free Monday Play
(MLB) Milwaukee vs. San Diego, 08/01/2016 6:10 PM, Score: 3 - 7
Money Line: 101.00 Milwaukee (Away)
Result: Loss
Some teams are just plain bad on the road. Milwaukee is one such team, which I acknowledge. Yet I see value on the Brewers, opening as underdogs to the Padres.

Both are in heavy rebuild mode. San Diego's offense is down the recently departed Matt Kemp and Melvin Upton. The Brewers have been without Ryan Braun the past four games due to a sore right side. Yet Milwaukee has won each of those games and is hopeful of getting Braun back for this game.

San Diego has dropped nine of its last 13 games. But what puts me into action here is the Padres being favored in a pitching matchup of Jimmy Nelson against Jarred Cosart.

Nelson is the superior pitcher with a far higher ceiling. He has been up and down this season, but finished July with a 2.83 ERA. He has a 1.83 career mark versus San Diego in three starts. The Brewers should be extra motivated to get Nelson a win after they played their worst game of the season in his last start.

This is Cosart's San Diego debut. He was terrible in four starts with the Marlins this season going 0-1 with a 5.95 ERA. He was sent down to Triple-A where he had a losing record and 4.09 ERA, while averaging just five innings per start.

Put simply, I'm not a fan of Cosart. I also much prefer the Brewers' bullpen over the Padres.