Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee

Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2016 ) Milwaukee 2, Chi. Cubs 7

The Chicago Cubs have taken care of business on the road and against division opponents while racking up the best record in the majors. They hope to continue both trends when they begin a three-game series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

The Cubs are 15-3 against National League Central opponents and an incredible 13-3 on the road. They send right-hander Kyle Hendricks to the mound to begin a nine-game road trip that will include six contests against NL Central foes. Hendricks faced the Brewers on April 26 and allowed just one run and two hits over five innings in a no-decision. The Brewers are coming off a four-game split with San Diego over the weekend and are 8-7 over their last 15 games following an 8-15 start.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.03 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (1-5, 6.11)

Hendricks relies on his command of the strike zone, and he has been excellent in that department so far this season, compiling 31 strikeouts against seven walks. The 26-year-old didn’t get a decision last time out against San Diego, but he pitched into the seventh and allowed just three runs (two earned) with a season-high eight strikeouts. Hendricks is 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA in seven starts against the Brewers.

Anderson has lost his last five starts, compiling an 8.88 ERA and allowing nine home runs over that span. The 28-year-old showed signs of snapping out of the funk last time out, limiting Miami to three runs and three hits over six innings in a tough-luck loss. Anderson has never faced the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs SS Addison Russell is 14-for-36 with two homers and 13 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak and has reached base in a career-high 18 straight contests.

2. Brewers SS Jonathan Villar has gone 12-for-29 during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun (wrist) was not in the starting lineup Saturday or Sunday but hopes to return against the Cubs, against whom he is a career .338 hitter with 23 home runs in 121 games.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Brewers 4