Milwaukee @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2018 ) Milwaukee 0, Chi. Cubs 3
The Chicago Cubs have done enough to ensure they’ll still have the lead in the National League Central when the Milwaukee Brewers leaves town, but both teams recognize the importance of their final head-to-head meeting of the season on Wednesday. The finale of the three-game series will represent a two-game swing in the tight division race, which the Cubs lead by two games.
The Cubs have blanked the Brewers six times, including Tuesday’s 3-0 triumph, and have an 11-7 lead in the season series. That head-to-head advantage has been the difference in the NL Central race. The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Cubs and evened the series after Milwaukee posted a 3-2 win in the opener to trim its deficit to one game. The Brewers had won four straight and seven of eight before being limited to three singles on Tuesday.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (9-7, 3.95 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (11-10, 3.71)
Anderson is riding a nine-start unbeaten streak but has posted only three quality starts over that stretch. The 30-year-old has allowed three runs over 10 innings in his last two outings - both of which were no-decisions. Anderson is 4-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 10 career starts against the Cubs, including a 1-2 mark this season despite allowing only three runs over 20 frames in three meetings.
The Cubs have won seven of Hendricks’ last eight starts - a stretch during which he has posted a 2.90 ERA. The 28-year-old was hurt by his defense last time out as he allowed four runs - one earned - over five innings in a no-decision at Washington, snapping a streak of three consecutive quality starts. Hendricks is 8-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 18 career turns against the Brewers, including a pair of wins this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers OF Christian Yelich has reached base in a career high-tying 27 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NL.
2. Cubs 2B-OF Ben Zobrist is 9-for-19 with three homers versus Anderson.
3. Chicago LF Kyle Schwarber missed his second consecutive game Tuesday with a tight back and is day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Brewers 3