Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee

Last Meeting ( May 17, 2016 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Milwaukee 4

The Chicago Cubs have hit their first rough patch of the season and the team with the best record in the majors hopes to bounce back Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs have dropped two straight and four of their last six after being no-hit for seven innings in a 4-2 loss in Tuesday’s opener of the three-game series.

Chicago did not lose consecutive games for the first 31 contests of the season but has done so twice in the past week. A punchless night at the plate again was the culprit Tuesday as the Cubs scored two or fewer runs for the third time in their last five games. The Brewers have received excellent pitching of late, allowing three or fewer runs in six of the past seven games, and turn to their most consistent starter in right-hander Jimmy Nelson to try to continue the trend. Cubs right-hander John Lackey looks to find some rare success on the road – he has a 2.12 ERA in four home starts this season but 5.79 in three road outings.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH John Lackey (4-2, 3.54 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (4-3, 3.51)

Lackey has been outstanding in three starts this month, going at least seven innings in each and allowing two or fewer earned runs each time. The 37-year-old was a tough-luck loser Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to San Diego, allowing one run and three hits over eight innings with seven strikeouts. Lackey is 5-1 with a 3.11 ERA in eight starts against the Brewers.

Nelson has posted five quality starts in his first eight outings of the season, including one last time out in a hard-luck loss to San Diego. The 26-year-old limited the Padres to two runs and five hits over eight frames for his deepest outing of the year. Nelson lost to the Cubs last month, dropping to 0-4 with a 3.35 ERA in eight games (six starts) against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers C Jonathan Lucroy has homered in three straight games for the second time in his career and the first since July 6-8, 2013.

2. Cubs starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in 45 consecutive regular-season games dating to Sept. 27, the franchise’s longest streak since 1910.

3. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun has reached base in 24 straight games for the third-longest streak of his career.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Brewers 3