On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Brewers Series Preview

The Cubs faced the Brewers only a couple of weeks ago in Milwaukee, and both teams have made quite a number of roster changes since then. The Cubs have shored up their bullpen with the acquisition of Aroldis Chapman and others, and the Brewers made the kinds of trades non-contenders make to rebuild. Without Aaron Hill, Jonathan Lucroy, Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith, the Brewers are going to look like an expansion team out there this week, with the exception of the presence of Ryan Braun.

Even with Hill and Lucroy the Brewers were near the bottom of the N.L. in runs scored. Even with Jeffress and Smith the Brewers were in the middle of the N.L. pack in runs allowed.

Without those four, this isn't a good team the Cubs are facing this week. The four-game series is made necessary by a rainout back on April 27. That will be made up as the day game Tuesday.

Fun fact

Since August 12, 2014, the Cubs are 26-10 against the Brewers, and 13-4 against them at Wrigley Field.

Pitching matchups

Tuesday Game 1: Trevor Cahill, RHP (1-3, 3.07 ERA, 1.390 WHIP, 4.53 FIP) vs. Matt Garza, RHP (4-4, 4.83 ERA, 1.542 WHIP, 4.73 FIP)

Tuesday Game 2: Jason Hammel, RHP (12-5, 2.90 ERA, 1.084 WHIP, 4.17 FIP) vs. Chase Anderson, RHP (7-12, 4.93 ERA, 1.410 WHIP, 4.21 FIP)

Wednesday: Jon Lester, LHP (12-4, 2.93 ERA, 1.090 WHIP, 3.83 FIP) vs. Jimmy Nelson, RHP (6-12, 4.07 ERA, 1.489 WHIP, 4.91 FIP)

Thursday: Jake Arrieta, RHP (14-5, 2.55 ERA, 1.034 WHIP, 3.05 FIP) vs. Zach Davies, RHP (9-5, 3.80 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, 3.89 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Tuesday Game 1: 12:20 p.m. CT, WGN

Tuesday Game 2: 7:05 p.m. CT, WPWR

Wednesday: 7:05 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago

Thursday: 1:20 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago

Prediction

No one should think that any series is "easy," even against a team with a losing record such as the Brewers. However, since the Brewers began the dismantlement of their team by trading away their starting catcher, their closer and a useful setup man on August 1, they are 5-8 -- against four bad teams (Padres, Braves, Diamondbacks and Reds). The Cubs should take three of four here and finish up their homestand 7-3.

Up next

The Cubs embark on a nine-game road trip, beginning with a three-game series against the Rockies in Denver. The first game of that set is Friday night.