Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Blaine Boyer pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on April 17, 2016.
The pitching staff of the Milwaukee Brewers might have been a big question mark for some entering the 2016 season.
Lately, it has been more like an exclamation point.
Since May 10, the Brewers have the second-lowest ERA in the major leagues at 2.59. Only San Francisco (2.19) has been better and Washington (2.79) is the only other club with an ERA under 3 during that span.
A big part of Milwaukee's recent pitching success has been because of the bullpen, although starting pitchers Jimmy Nelson and Junior Guerra have sparkled as well.
BREWERS PITCHERS' ERA SINCE MAY 10
Continued good pitching might help the Brewers overtake the Cincinnati Reds, this weekend's opponent at Miller Park. Since 2014, the teams have split their 42 matchups.
BREWERS VS. REDS SINCE 2014
One advantage for the Brewers right now is that Cincinnati is reeling, having lost 10 straight games, tied for the Reds' fourth-worst skid since 1969. Cincinnati's 15-32 (.319) record is its worst through 47 games since 1950 (15-32,.319).
Other notes:
-- Ryan Braun has a .346 batting average and .731 slugging percentage in his last 20 games against the Reds (dating back to last season), with eight home runs and 15 RBI.
-- Cincinnati's Jay Bruce has the most home runs against the Brewers since 2008, with 34.
-- Braun and Cincinnati's Adam Duvall are tied for the major-league lead in home runs by a left fielder (9).
-- Ten of Chris Carter's 13 home runs this season have occurred at Miller Park. That is the most HRs hit at home by anyone in the majors.
-- Cincinnati's Josh Lamb is winless in his last eight starts, posting a 6.14 ERA.
Statistics courtesy STATS Inc.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.