Milwaukee @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 6, Milwaukee 4
The calendar is still on the Chicago Cubs’ side in the National League Central race, but the Milwaukee Brewers have a chance to change that this week. After a big week, the Brewers are within two games of the Cubs heading into a pivotal three-game series starting Monday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
The Brewers took two of three from the visiting Cubs early last week, then swept three games from San Francisco to give them a shot at regaining the division lead with another sweep. Given the stakes, combined with the heated rivalry, the Brewers expect a spirited crowd at Wrigley. "I think everybody's used to playing in that atmosphere,” Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun told reporters. “It's fun, it's enjoyable as a competitor. You try to do the same things you've done all year, prepare the same way. Don't try harder, don't do anything different. We've been playing good baseball for a while." The Cubs went 2-4 last week and had the finale of their four-game series at Washington rained out and moved to Thursday in the midst of what was originally scheduled as a six-game homestand.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Wade Miley (3-2, 2.12 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53)
Miley has been outstanding when healthy, allowing more than two earned runs only once in 12 starts. The 31-year-old has allowed two runs and eight hits with 11 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings over his last two outings. Miley is 5-2 with a 4.13 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs, including a win Tuesday in which he allowed one run and three hits across six innings.
Since a disastrous start against Washington on Aug. 11, Lester has been excellent in his last four outings. The 34-year-old has allowed four runs over 23 2/3 innings during that stretch with 21 strikeouts and four walks, and he threw six scoreless frames to win at Philadelphia last time out. Lester is 4-2 with a 2.40 ERA in seven career starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers OF Christian Yelich has reached base in 25 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NL and the second-longest of his career.
2. Cubs 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is batting .378 with six multi-hit games in his last 13 contests (10 starts).
3. Milwaukee RHP Corey Knebel retired all 15 batters he has faced in five appearances since being recalled Sept. 2.
PREDICTION: Cubs 3, Brewers 2