On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Brewers series preview

There’s not much to tell about the Brewers since the last time the Cubs faced them, just a few days ago. More details about their season, if you are interested, in last weekend’s series preview.

The Cubs took two games from the Mariners earlier this week. The Brewers split a pair with the Astros and now trail the Cubs by four games entering this series. The Cubs could pretty much doom any postseason hopes Milwaukee has by winning three of four in this series — which is also something the Cubs would certainly like to do in order to help their own playoff push.

As I’ve asked before: This is what we wanted, right? Meaningful September baseball? Well, you’ve got it for the next four days, for sure.

Fun fact

The Cubs enter this series 8-7 vs. the Brewers this year, and having outscored them 72-58. But!

At Wrigley Field: 6-3. Cubs 30 runs, Brewers 21
At Miller Park: 2-4. Cubs 42 runs, Brewers 37

Pitching matchups

Thursday: Jose Quintana, LHP (12-8, 3.90 ERA, 1.280 WHIP, 3.70 FIP) vs. Chase Anderson, RHP (6-4, 4.58 ERA, 1.293 WHIP, 4.90 FIP)

Friday: Cole Hamels, LHP (7-5, 3.69 ERA, 1.326 WHIP, 3.89 FIP) vs. Zach Davies, RHP (8-7, 3.76 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, 4.79 FIP)

Saturday: Yu Darvish, RHP (5-6, 4.25 ERA, 1.142 WHIP, 4.70 FIP) vs. Gio Gonzalez, LHP (2-2, 4.14 ERA, 1.366 WHIP, 4.41 FIP)

Sunday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (9-9, 3.39 ERA, 1.104 WHIP, 3.85 FIP) vs. Adrian Houser, RHP (6-5, 3.45 ERA, 1.292 WHIP, 4.07 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Thursday: 6:10 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network (outside Cubs and Brewers market territories)

Friday: 7:10 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago

Saturday: 6:10 p.m. CT, WGN

Sunday: 1:10 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago

Prediction

The Cubs have scored 31 more runs than the Brewers — and allowed 86 (!) fewer. Milwaukee’s pitching staff has been in tatters much of the season, and even though they shut the Cubs out twice last weekend (and have done so three times overall this year), the Cubs have averaged seven runs per game at Miller Park this year.

This should be a good sign for the Cubs offense, especially after Wednesday’s off day. They’ll take three of four here.

Up next

The Cubs head to San Diego for their final regular-season series outside the N.L. Central, four games against the Padres beginning Monday evening.