Milwaukee Brewers 4, Philadelphia Phillies 6

Milwaukee arrives in Philadelphia with the best record in the National League and one of the most productive offenses in baseball. The Brewers are 98-58, have won eight of their last 10 and average 5.14 runs per game, second in MLB. Their .341 on-base percentage leads the majors, even though they rank near the bottom of the league in home runs. This offense has done its damage by consistently putting runners on rather than relying on one swing.

Philadelphia’s answer is Zack Wheeler. The right-hander has worked 150.1 innings with a 2.99 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10.6 strikeouts per nine. He has also delivered a quality start in 60 percent of his outings, giving the Phillies the kind of starter capable of slowing Milwaukee’s constant traffic on the bases.

Dustin May starts for the Brewers with a 4.61 ERA, but his 3.50 FIP paints a more competitive picture. Milwaukee also owns the stronger bullpen, with a 3.41 ERA that ranks fourth in MLB compared with Philadelphia’s 4.34.

The Phillies are 86-70 and hold the third NL Wild Card position. Milwaukee has already won two of the first three meetings this season, but this opener puts its biggest offensive strength directly against Philadelphia’s best starting pitcher.