NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs just took three of four from the Reds in Cincinnati, and while you can’t expect three of four in every series against a lesser team, a good team has to do what it can to take advantage of a lighter stretch in its schedule.
A great start for the Cubs in that respect, and now they’ll get the Brewers at home for three. And the Brewers are gonna get the horns.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs are 14-5 on the year after the series win in Cincinnati, and you could cobble together whatever “streak” you want to in there. The only series loss for the Cubs this year was against the Rockies on the last home stand.
The Brewers, by contrast, have won just one series on the year, and that includes a series loss to the Phillies in their last.At 8-11, the Brewers sit at the bottom of the NL Central.[adinserter block=”1″]
Game Times and Broadcasts
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:
Approximate Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Miguel Montero, C
- Jorge Soler, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Pitcher[adinserter block=”2″]
Brewers
Starters:
Approximate Lineup:
- Domingo Santana, CF
- Scooter Gennett, 2B
- Ryan Braun, LF
- Jonathan Lucroy, C
- Chris Carter, 1B
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
- Aaron Hill, 3B
- Jonathan Villar, SS
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
The best K/BB among Cubs starting pitchers so far? It’s a starter in this series, but, no, it’s not Jake Arrieta or Jon Lester – it’s Kyle Hendricks at 5.00.
The Cubs have two relievers with a 0.00 ERA … can you name them? Yes, you knew Hector Rondon without thinking too hard, but the other is Adam Warren.
Among Cubs hitters with at least 10 plate appearances, Jake Arrieta’s 131 wRC+ is 4th best. Of course, if you chop that down to 7 plate appearances, Jon Lester’s 139 is better.
Despite going something like 0-for-25 at one point last week, Ben Zobrist still has a 106 wRC+.
Over his last seven games, Miguel Montero is hitting .087/.222/.087.[adinserter block=”3″]
The Cubs’ crew is a little different this year, but Jimmy Nelson gave them fits last year, in extraordinarily frustrating fashion.
Chris Carter currently has a .393 ISO, and is hitting .295/.361/.689. He and Ryan Braun (.364/.432/.636) had formed quite an impressive duo at the heart of the Brewers lineup in the early going, though they’ve frequently been split up by Jonathan Lucroy, who still isn’t quite back to being what he was a few years ago.
Scooter Gennett continues to be among the better hitters named Scooter (.258/.361/.516).
Remember Chris Capuano? Well, he’s in the Brewers’ bullpen, and has the most innings there (11.0) of anyone in the group.
