Cubs vs. Brewers Preview, Sunday 5/18, 1:20 CT

The Cubs have won just one series this year -- two weeks ago against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. This, you likely know.

They haven't won a series from the Brewers since June 25-26-27, 2013 at Miller Park. They haven't won a series from the Brewers at Wrigley Field since September 19-20-21, 2011 (!). Winning pitchers for the Cubs in the two games they won in that series were Casey Coleman and... Matt Garza.

Anyway, it's been a while. Time to change all that.

Also, this is odd. I realize it doesn't matter which TV channel the games are on and the players likely don't know or care which channel each game is on when they take the field. But these splits are weird:

WGN: 4-13
CSN: 10-11
WCIU: 0-2
ESPN: 0-1

Today's game is on WGN. Draw your own conclusions.

Cubs lineup:

Bonifacio CF, Lake LF, Rizzo 1B, Castro SS, Valbuena 2B, Castillo C, Olt 3B, Kalish RF, Wood P

Brewers lineup:

Weeks 2B, Segura SS, Braun RF, Lucroy C, Reynolds 1B, Davis LF, Bianchi 3B, Schafer CF, Estrada P

Today's Starting Pitchers

Travis Wood Cubs vs. Marco Estrada Brewers vs. Mil -- vs. Cubs

After a strong start to 2014, Travis Wood has struggled in his last two starts, with his ERA jumping from 3.35 to 4.91. This game is a pitching rematch of the game April 26 at Miller Park. Wood made it through two out in the sixth, but gave up seven hits and three walks and a home run to Khris Davis. Estrada threw 7⅔ strong innings, struck out nine and didn't walk anyone. A two-run homer by Welington Castillo and a solo shot by Luis Valbuena produced all the Cubs' runs. They'll probably need to do better than that to win this afternoon.

As noted above, today's game is on WGN.

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball. The usual caution is advised.

For 2014, we are going to have the same game-thread routine as 2013. Here's how it works.

You'll find the game preview -- like this one -- posting as the first link in the StoryStream™, which will then contain all the overflow threads and the recap. The recap will also be on the front page as a separate post; once I post a game recap, the stream for each game will be retitled "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.

In general, game previews will post two hours before game time. Exception: for day games after night games, that will usually be 90 minutes.

You will also be able to find the First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in this StoryStream™. As I've done for each regular-season game for several years now, we'll have the First Pitch thread at five minutes before game time (moved up from actual game time per your requests), then an overflow one hour, two hours and 2:45 after game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.