Milwaukee @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2013 ) Milwaukee 7, Chi. Cubs 4

The Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers have both made the late innings interesting in the first week of the season because of the struggles of their bullpens. After hanging on just barely Monday, the Brewers will try to clinch the series when they visit the Cubs again Tuesday. Both teams have already demoted their opening day closers and are looking for any competent work in the late innings to get them through April.

Milwaukee took a 7-2 lead into the ninth inning Monday but Brandon Kintzler allowed three straight hits before being replaced by new closer Jim Henderson. Henderson surrendered an RBI single but got the final two outs with the bases loaded to preserve the 7-4 victory. Chicago, which has removed Carlos Marmol from the ninth inning, inserted Marmol in the eighth and got a scoreless frame to lower his ERA to 16.88. Offensively, the Brewers’ injury problems got a little better on Monday when Ryan Braun returned to the lineup.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LF Travis Wood (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Wily Peralta (0-1, 6.75)

Wood got off to a strong start with six scoreless innings at Pittsburgh last week, allowing one hit while walking two and striking out four. The left-hander has been solid against Milwaukee in his career, going 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA and 34 strikeouts against three walks in seven games - six starts. Braun has been one of the few in the lineup to do some damage against Wood by going 6-for-17 with a home run and four doubles.

The rookie Peralta earned a rotation spot in spring training but struggled in his season debut against the Colorado Rockies, walking three and allowing four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old impressed in a six-game debut last September but has issued 14 walks in 34 1/3 total innings in the major leagues. He will be making his first appearance against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago leadoff hitter David DeJesus is 2-for-21 and was lifted for a pinch hitter late in Monday’s contest.

2. LHP Tom Gorzelanny was the star of the Milwaukee bullpen with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning Monday. The former Cub has not yielded a hit in any of his last four appearances.

3. Chicago C Welington Castillo has three multi-hit games in five starts.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2