Braves, Brewers bring big-league approach to Little League Classic

When the Milwaukee Brewers play the Atlanta Braves in the Little League Classic on Sunday night in Williamsport, Pa., it will bring back fond memories for many of the participating players while likely creating some new ones.

"Being a kid, your goal is to get to Williamsport, but what's really cool is to go there now, in the position we're in, to get some kid excited," Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell said. "I remember how I thought about it as a kid -- how cool it would be to go there. Now, I think, 'How cool is it that I get to go there as a professional?'"

The New York Mets won the eighth edition of the Little League Classic last season 7-3 against the Seattle Mariners. The 2,518 fans in attendance at historic Bowman Field watched Mark Vientos blast a three-run homer for the Mets, and Cal Raleigh club his MLB-leading 47th of the season for Seattle.

"We're playing a little kid's game. That's really what it is," Milwaukee infielder Andrew Vaughn said. "Granted, it's our job, but sometimes you have to go back to the mindset of 'It's a game.'"

Shane Drohan is set to start for Milwaukee on Sunday.

Drohan (6-4, 3.86 ERA) is coming off two innings of scoreless relief last Tuesday against the Mariners in a 22-0 rout.

The rookie left-hander made his most recent start on Aug. 13 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings of the 5-4 win. Drohan did not factor in the decision.

He has not yet faced the Braves, but is looking forward to the atmosphere.

"Every 12-year-old's dream is to go to Williamsport, and it's still cool to do it at 27," Drohan said.

The Brewers have won six of seven, including the first two games of the series.

The Braves have dropped five of six, scoring two runs or fewer in all of the setbacks.

Braves manager Walt Weiss said after the 4-1 loss on Saturday that he doesn't plan any major alterations to the lineup.

"We've got some good names in that lineup, but it's just a matter of getting going again. Hit some homers," Weiss said. "We have been pretty reliant on the homer over the course of several years here. When we're hitting the ball in the seats, that's when we're really thriving offensively."

The Braves plan to start Tyler Mahle in Sunday's series finale.

Mahle (4-10, 4.53 ERA) has pitched well since he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 2, going 1-1 in three starts with a 1.45 ERA.

He most recently took the loss against the Minnesota Twins last Tuesday after holding them to two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of the 4-1 loss.

"I don't think anyone's worried about them," Mahle said of the offensive struggles. "I'm just going to focus on staying where I'm at, because the bats are going to come alive and we'll be fine."

Mahle has made 10 starts in his career against the Brewers and is 2-3 with a 4.73 ERA.

--Field Level Media