NEWSLETTER
This is going to be a really good series at Wrigley Field this weekend. Not only are the pitching matchups pretty exciting (Thompson, Stroman, and Steele against Ashby, Peralta, and Woodruff), but the Cubs have been doing a lot of winning lately and the Brewers are fighting for their playoff lives.
As my friend, Stan, pointed out on Twitter, I’m not exactly anxious to help the Cardinals win the division, but I would love to beat the Brewers down even further. And, hey, no Josh Hader to worry about.
Plus, the Cubs have five games against the Cardinals immediately after this series and then three more games against the Brewers directly after that! There’s a quick trip to Toronto following the second Brewers series but then there’s ANOTHER three games against the Cardinals in early September. Maybe the Cubs can help the Pirates win the NL Central or something. I don’t know.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (50-67) just kind of keep on winning. They’ve got a three game winning streak and haven’t lost a series since the beginning of August. They’re still 16.0 games out of first (and 14 out of the Wild Card), so don’t get any ideas, but demonstrating that this team can win some games still matters.
The Milwaukee Brewers (63-54) are three games behind the Cardinals and haven’t been in first place since August 5. They’re not actually in playoff position at the moment, trailing the Padres by a game for the NL Wild Card.
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Ian Happ has been quietly HOT lately. Since August 5 (52 PAs), he’s slashing .333/.385/.646 (183 wRC+) with 6 doubles and 3 homers. During that stretch, he’s got an average exit velocity of 91.9 MPH with a 14.5 degree launch angle and an 11.4% barrel rate. Smokin.
Franmil Reyes has been insane with the Cubs so far. He’s played eight games in a Cubs uniform and has at least one hit in each, but multiple hits in five! And it’s not like we’re talking singles here. Reyes has three doubles, a triple, and two homers. He’s also crushing the ball (91.2 MPH), though he’s not actually elevating as much as you’d expect.
Andrew McCutchen isn’t having a great season overall (103 wRC+ as the primary DH), but he’s been a little hotter lately, slashing .244/.340/.477 (126 wRC+) with a 13% walk rate and a .233 ISO since July 22 (his last 100 PAs). Shrink that window a week and his slash line rises to 130 wRC+. Do it again and it’s up to 147 wRC+. He might be on one at the moment.
Game Times and Broadcast Info
Pitching Probables
Game 1: Keegan Thompson (RHP) vs. Aaron Ashby (LHP)
Game 2: Marcus Stroman (RHP) vs. Freddy Peralta (RHP)
Game 3: Justin Steele (RHP) vs. Brandon Woodruff (RHP)
Chicago Cubs:
Injured/Unavailable: Jason Heyward, Wade MIley, Alec Mills, Kyle Hendricks, Adbert Alzolay, Codi Heuer, Manuel Rodriguez, Michael Hermosillo, Ethan Roberts, Brad Wieck
Milwaukee Brewers:
Injured/Unavailable: Alex Jackson, Jace Peterson, Omar Narvaez, Adrian Houser, Trevor Rosenthal, Jandel Gustave, Trevor Gott, Jake Cousins, Miguel Sanchez
By the Numbers
Run Differential:
Cubs: -69
Brewers: +33
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.16
Brewers: 4.50
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 4.75
Brewers: 4.22
