NEWSLETTER
Big series this weekend, eh?
The Cubs are heading to Milwaukee on the eve of the trade deadline, with plenty of implications (trades, the division, Ian Happ’s promotion, Travis Shaw’s return, etc.) for both sides. Although it’s not quite this simple, a three game sweep of the Brewers could have a compounding impact on the rest of the year, if, for example, they decide not to buy or even to sell, in the wake of the Cubs and Cardinals hold on the division. Of course, a three-game sweep in the other direction could push them into a buying deal and propel them down the final stretch with fresh players and a little momentum.
The only mitigating news, if I had to reach, is that if the Cubs dropped three straight, they’d still be tied with the Brewers in the loss column, with another three games coming up next weekend to make it back up. But let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Like let’s really hope. Because the Cardinals also exist.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (55-47) started off hot in the second half of the season, winning 7 of their first 9 games, before dropping 2 of 3 to the Giants earlier this week.
The Milwaukee Brewers (54-50), by contrast, are just a game over .500 in the second-half (7-6). They dropped a series to the Giants and Reds (hey! we’re not alone!), split a series with the D-Backs, and beat the Braves.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Kyle Hendricks (R) v. Gio Gonzalez (L)
Game 2: Jon Lester (L) v. Chase Anderson (R)
Game 3: Jose Quintana (R) v. Zach Davies (R)
Chicago Cubs
Unavailable: Xavier Cedeno, Cole Hamels, Brandon Morrow, Allen Webster, Ben Zobrist
Milwaukee Brewers
Unavailable: Corbin Burnes, Jhoulys Chacin, Jimmy Nelson, Brandon Woodruff
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher: Jose Quintana had been very good against the Brewers in 2017 (1.20 ERA over 15.0 IP) and 2018 (2.13 ERA over 42.1 IP), but not so much here in 2019 (10.24 ERA over 9.2 IP). In reality though, that was one terrible start back in April (3.0 IP, 8ER) and one much better performance in May (6.2 IP, 3ER). Let’s hope we have history on our side this weekend.
Cubs Player: IAN HAPP IS BACK!!! After working on his swing and miss issues in Triple-A Iowa all season, Happ is finally back up with the big league team with something to prove. If he proves it against the Brewers days before the deadline, I’m sure Chicago will welcome him back with open arms. DO IT.
Brewers Pitcher: Gio Gonzalez has a career 2.81 ERA against the Cubs over 67.1 IP and held them scoreless over 5.2 innings earlier this year (plus no walks and 7 strikeouts). We need a script change starting tonight.
Brewers Player: Keston Hiura has been the second most valuable player in baseball in the second-half of the season (1.2 WAR) and is currently rocking a .327/.384/.613 (154 wRC+) slash line over 164 PAs. He strikes out A LOT and doesn’t walk much, but yeesh. He rakes.
