Series Preview: Brewers v. Cubs, August 27 – August 30, 2012

The two teams played just a week ago in Milwaukee, and now they match back up for a four-game set in Chicago.

By way of reminder, the Series Preview hooks you up with what you need to know about every series this year – streaks, broadcast information, pitchers, expected lineups, etc. That way, if you want to check only one place to get a sense about an upcoming series, or to plan ahead, you’ve got it. Oh, and there are pictures of beautiful women, too.

We’re Going Streaking

The Cubs won a series! They took two of three from the lowly Rockies, after being swept by these Brewers in the series before.

After sweeping the Cubs, the Brewers played spoiler, taking two of three from the reeling Pirates.

Game Times and Broadcasts

• Monday, August 27 at 7:05 CT on CSN.
• Tuesday, August 28 at 7:05 CT on WGN.
• Wednesday, August 29 at 7:05 CT on CSN+.
• Thursday, August 30 at 1:20 CT on CSN.

Expected Starters and Lineups

These lineups are likely to be pretty close to what actually gets fielded, but you’ll want to check each day’s Pre-Gamin’ post for the actual lineup.

Cubs

Starters:  Justin Germano (2-3, 5.40), Travis Wood (4-10, 4.76), Jeff Samardzija (8-11, 4.09), Brooks Raley (1-2, 6.64)

Lineup:

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Josh Vitters, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Brett Jackson, CF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Pitcher

Brewers

Starters: Marco Estrada (1-5, 4.23), Yovani Gallardo (13-8, 3.62), Mike Fiers (7-6, 2.98), Shaun Marcum (5-4, 3.19)

Lineup:

1. Norichika Aoki, RF
2. Rickie Weeks, 2B
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Corey Hart, 1B
6. Jonathon Lucroy, C
7. Carlos Gomez, CF
8. Jean Segura, SS
9. Pitcher

Hot or Not and Whom to Watch

Justin Germano is coming off the worst start of his season, easily, against these same Brewers. It’s tough enough facing a team twice in a row, let alone when they blasted you last time around.

In his last 12 games (of 19 with the big club), Brett Jackson is hitting .256/.356/.615 (and has struck out “only” 36% of his plate appearances). Thanks to that run, he has his OPS+ on the year up to 98.

Darwin Barney, until he got a hit yesterday, had gone some 14 straight at bats without a hit. He’s gone just .118/.167/.147 in his last 11 games.

Shaun Marcum is making just his second start after returning from two months on the disabled list. He always gives the Cubs fits, so we’ll know he’s truly healthy if this is ugly.

Brewers batters have enjoyed a nice year off of Cubs pitching. According to Stats: “Norichika Aoki is 13 for 33 (.394) with two homers and Corey Hart is 15 for 42 (.357) with seven doubles and a home run. Ryan Braun, who leads the majors with a .590 slugging percentage, is 13 for 43 (.302).”

Series She-View

The Series She-View is one beautiful woman representing the Cubs taking on another (usually) beautiful woman representing the opponent. The Cubs’ representative will change as the team’s needs change – in other words, if the Cubs are winning, the rep will stay the same. But if the Cubs’ performance calls for a change, someone new will step in. The opponent’s representative will change from series to series, at my whim. But at least she’ll probably be wearing the opponent’s colors or have some connection to the team or something like that. It is immature, and the connection to baseball is tenuous at best. These things, I know.

The Cubs beat the Rockies in three, so it’s debatable whether that means current rep Aubrey Plaza stays or goes. I think I’ll go with stays, because I’ve got ‘Parks and Rec’ on the brain. And, look! She’s got blue hair! Kind of! Maybe! It’s probably just the lighting!

As for the Brewers, the old standby is the old standby: beautiful woman with beer (which comes from BN’er hardtop, so you can’t blame me for the fact that, technically, she’s holding only half a beer … or anything else, for that matter).

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