Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2015 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Milwaukee 0

The Chicago Cubs look to win their eighth straight game – and perhaps secure home-field advantage for the National League wild-card game – when they wrap up the regular season Sunday at the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs, who will face Pittsburgh in the NL wild-card game Wednesday, will earn home-field advantage with a win and a Pirates loss against Cincinnati on Sunday.

It could be the swan song of Cubs right-hander Dan Haren’s 13-year career, as he has said he plans to retire after the season and his role in the postseason is unclear. Haren looks to continue a run of dominance by Chicago starting pitchers, who have allowed one run in 45 1/3 innings over the past seven games. The Brewers will start a rookie for the 12th consecutive game with right-hander Jorge Lopez making his second major-league start. The Cubs have won 11 of the past 12 meetings and lead the series 13-5.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, WGN, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Dan Haren (10-9, 3.67 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jorge Lopez (1-0, 5.40)

Haren can go out on a good note if he can duplicate his last outing, when he allowed three hits and struck out six over 7 1/3 scoreless innings at Cincinnati. The Cubs have won four of Haren’s last five starts, and the 35-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 starts since being acquired from Miami. Haren is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in six games (five starts) against the Brewers and picked up the win in the only meeting this season.

Lopez won his major-league debut Tuesday at San Diego, allowing three runs and eight hits over five innings. The hard-throwing 22-year-old from Puerto Rico struck out seven and walked two, which ran up his pitch count and prevented him from pitching deeper. Lopez had an outstanding season at Double-A Biloxi, going 12-5 with a 2.26 ERA in 24 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs SS Addison Russell, who drove in the only run in Saturday’s 1-0 win, is 7-for-15 during a four-game hitting streak.

2. The Brewers have only six hits – one for extra bases – through the first two games of the series.

3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo and 3B/OF Kris Bryant each have 99 RBIs and are trying to become the first Cubs duo to reach 100 in the same season since Moises Alou and Aramis Ramirez in 2004.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 3