NEWSLETTER
Here’s the math.
The first place Chicago Cubs are hosting the second-place Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game set at Wrigley Field starting tonight. If the Brewers manage to win all three of these games, they will boast a one game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central, with a magic number of 16. HOWEVA, if the Cubs manage to win just one of these games, they’ll lead the Brewers by one game with a magic number of 16. Basically, avoiding a sweep is the main priority, because just one win puts the Cubs in a significantly better position with such few games remaining.
Of course, if the Cubs can win two of these three games, that magic number would drop to 14. And if the Cubs somehow find a way to sweep all three games, I’m comfortable saying that they’d all but lock up the division. The Magic number, at that point, would be 12 with just 17 games to go, which would be quite the hurdle to overcome. So you see … this series is brutally important.
I hope Jon Lester is still on top of his game, despite the false start against the Nationals late last week, and I hope the Cubs have more against Wade Miley than they’ve shown in the past. It doesn’t quite work this way, but it sure feels like the entire season is on the line here, so, you know, no pressure guys.
Big series vs. Crew?
"First time I'll say yes. This is a big one."
–A. Almora— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 10, 2018
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (83-59) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (82-62) – Monday, September 10th at 7:05 CT on CSNC, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L):Â 3.53 ERA, 4.63 FIP; 2.25 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Wade Miley (L):Â 2.12 ERA, 3.57 FIP; 2.00 K/BB
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup:
- Lorenzo Cain, CF
- Christian Yelich, RF
- Jesus Aguilar, 1B
- Ryan Braun, LF
- Jonathan Schoop, 2B
- Mike Moustakas, 3B
- Erik Kratz, C
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Wade Miley, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Kris Bryant, LF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Javy Baez, 3B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Jon Lester, P
- Addison Russell, SS
