Milwaukee @ Chicago preview

Milwaukee at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2013 ) Milwaukee 6, Chi. Cubs 5

The Milwaukee Brewers needed all night to gain some momentum in the opener of their four-game road series against the Chicago Cubs, but they hope to carry over something from their ninth-inning surge when the teams play a split doubleheader Tuesday. The Brewers scored five runs in the ninth for a 5-0 win Monday as they climbed within 4 1/2 games of the Cubs in the race to avoid the National League Central cellar. Milwaukee has won eight of the past 11 meetings in Chicago dating to the start of last season.

Both teams are out of playoff contention and will be working to make more deals ahead of Wednesday's non-waiver trading deadline. The Cubs' recent efforts appear to center around closer Kevin Gregg and right fielder Nate Schierholtz. The Brewers likely are looking to deal relievers John Axford and Mike Gonzalez and perhaps starters Kyle Lohse and Yovani Gallardo - if the price is right.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Tyler Thornburg (1-0, 2.95 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (1-2, 7.23)

Thornburg will be pressed into his first big-league start of the season as the Brewers continue to experiment with how they want to use one of their top prospects. The 24-year-old has been effective in relief, but he was knocked around for four runs over four innings in his last outing against San Diego. The right-hander has never faced the Cubs.

Arrieta, acquired in the deal that sent Scott Feldman to Baltimore, is set for his Cubs' debut. The 27-year-old made five starts for the Orioles this season and didn't get out of the sixth inning in any of them, allowing five runs on three occasions. A newcomer to the National League, Arrieta has never faced Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the opener and are hitting .225 in those situations for the season, the second-lowest mark in the majors.

2. The Brewers are 37-0 when leading after eight innings, the only team in the majors that has not lost after taking a lead to the ninth.

3. Chicago is 36-21 when scoring more than three runs.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 4