Brewers @ Marlins

Who will WIN this matchup?

Milwaukee Brewers (77-68)

@ Miami Marlins (51-94)

Starting Pitchers:

Gonzalez (MIL): 2-2; 3.98 ERA

Smith (MIA) 8-9; 4.11 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Milwaukee Brewers: 8-2

Miami Marlins: 3-7

Current odds:

Milwaukee Brewers: (-140)

Miami Marlins: (+130)

• The Milwaukee Brewers kept their fallen leader close to their hearts as they continued their series against the Miami Marlins, with Ryan Braun going a step further. Braun wore Christian Yelich’s jersey under his own in Milwaukee’s 7-5 victory on Wednesday, and he plans to do again on Thursday afternoon as the Brewers vie for a four-game sweep in Miami. “Just for good luck. They’re about the same size. It felt a little different, but I was just trying to bring the good vibes,” Braun said of the Brewers playing their first game since Yelich — the reigning National League MVP — sustained a broken right kneecap. While the former University of Miami star struggled (0-for-4, three strikeouts), Mike Moustakas capped a two-homer performance with a go-ahead, two-run shot in the eighth inning to send the surging Brewers to their sixth straight victory.

• Miami’s Garrett Cooper enters the finale on a hot streak, as his solo shot on Thursday marked the third time that he has gone deep in his last eight contests. The 28-year-old is 14-for-35 with six extra-base hits, seven RBIs and four runs scored that stretch, but the reeling Marlins have dropped 12 of their last 16 overall.

• Gonzalez aims to continue his good fortune against his hometown team, as the 33-year-old Miami-area native sports a 10-4 record with a 2.42 ERA in 19 career starts versus the Marlins. Starlin Castro (10-for-25) and Miguel Rojas (6-for-19) have fared well against Gonzalez, who hasn’t tasted victory since winning back-to-back contests in May. Gonzalez, who owns an 0-2 mark in his last 11 starts, settled for a no-decision on Saturday despite allowing one run on two hits in five innings versus the Chicago Cubs.

• Smith saw his winless stretch extend to four starts on Saturday despite scattering four hits and striking out eight in six innings against Kansas City. The 28-year-old hopes the comforts of home will continue to serve him well, as he sports a 6-3 record with a 3.46 ERA at Marlins Park as opposed to a 2-6 mark away from it. Smith was taken to task in one such outing away from home on June 6, surrendering three homers and four runs total in five innings of a 5-1 setback in Milwaukee.

• Milwaukee C Yasmani Grandal, who also played collegiately at Miami, has reached base nine times (four hits, five walks) in the series.

• Marlins 1B Martin Prado is hitting .241 this season, although he has done significantly better in a pinch-hitting role (.277).

• Brewers 3B Hernan Perez has hit safely in six of his last seven games.