Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee

Last Meeting ( Apr 10, 2013 ) Milwaukee 0, Chi. Cubs 0

The Milwaukee Brewers were reeling the last time they faced the Chicago Cubs, but things have changed after finishing a three-game sweep of the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Milwaukee will look to extend its four-game winning streak when the Cubs visit Miller Park for a three-game set, beginning Friday. The teams split a pair of games last week in Chicago and had a third rained out.

The Brewers were shut out in the first two games of their ensuing series at St. Louis, but rallied to win the finale in 10 innings and haven't lost since. The Cubs would settle for their first consecutive wins of the year, and they'll have a chance to achieve that after beating Texas 6-2 on Thursday. Chicago is beginning a 10-game road trip that goes through Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Miami.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (1-2, 2.75 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Marco Estrada (1-0, 4.50)

Samardzija was masterful on Opening Day against the Pirates, but he has not won in two starts since. He didn't have his best stuff last time out against the Giants but still managed to record a quality start, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings. Samardzija is 2-3 with a 3.93 ERA in 17 games against the Brewers, but he is winless in three starts against them.

Estrada's best outing of the season came against the Cubs, as he tossed seven innings and allowed two runs in a victory April 8 at Chicago. He turned in another quality start in his last outing, giving up three runs in six innings in a no-decision at St. Louis, and has compiled 21 strikeouts against two walks overall. Estrada is 3-0 with a 3.56 ERA in nine games (four starts) against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs SS Starlin Castro went 1-for-3 on Thursday to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Castro is 5-for-12 with three extra-base hits against Estrada.

2. Ryan Braun is 6-for-13 and Norichika Aoki 4-for-6 against Samardzija.

3. Cubs C Welington Castillo had a career-high four hits Thursday to raise his batting average to a team-high .425.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 4