I don’t know if it was purely coincidental or if MLB’s schedule makers had potential COVID-interruptions on the mind, but over the first two weeks of the season, the Cubs play the Pirates and Brewers six times each. And that’s not all. Before the month is over, the Cubs will play three more games against the Brewers, accounting for 9 of their 20 total matchups this season.
So, then, today is just the first in a very heavy dose of Milwaukee over the next 3 weeks. I hope the Cubs make a good impression.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (2-1) got off to a horrendous start on Thursday, before bouncing back and taking their first series of the year against the Pirates. They’re tied with the Reds for “first place” in the NL Central at the moment.
The Milwaukee Brewers (1-2) were paired up with the Twins for the first series of the year, and dropped two out of three. They were nearly swept, but a 3-run, 9th inning rally on Opening Day that forced extra innings saved their butts. They scored just 2 runs combined on Saturday and Sunday.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
• Monday, April 5th at 6:40 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
• Tuesday, April 6th at 6:40 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
• Wednesday, April 7th at 1:20 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Trevor Williams (R) v. Brett Anderson (L)
Game 2: Adbert Alzolay (R) v. Freddy Peralta (R)
Game 3: Brandon Woodruff (R) v. Kyle Hendricks (R)
Chicago Cubs
• C – Willson Contreras
• 1B – Anthony Rizzo
• 2B – David Bote
• 3B – Kris Bryant
• SS – Javy Baez
• LF – Joc Pederson
• CF – Ian Happ
• RF – Jason Heyward
Unavailable: Rowan Wick, Austin Romine, Jonathan Holder
Milwaukee Brewers
• C – Omar Narvaez
• 1B – Keston Hiura
• 2B – Kolten Wong
• 3B – Travis Shaw
• SS – Luis Urias
• LF – Christian Yelich
• CF – Lorenzo Cain
• RF – Jackie Bradley Jr.
Unavailable: Derek Fisher, Tim Lopes, Mark Mathias, Jacob Nottingham, Justin Topa, Bobby Wahl
By the Numbers:
Run Differential:
Cubs: +3 (9th in MLB)
Brewers: -7 (25th in MLB)
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.00
Brewers: 2.67
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 3.00
Brewers: 5.00
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Starting Pitchers. There’ll be a lot to watch closely in this series, of course, but I’m keyed in on the Cubs trio of starters. I want to see if Kyle Hendricks bounces back from a very rough first outing. I want to see if Trevor Williams fastball regains some of its prior effectiveness (and proves the Cubs right for picking him over Alec Mills). And I’m just generally very excited to see Adbert Alzolay begin his full-time Cubs starting career in earnest. If everything breaks right for Alzolay, he could be a mainstay of the Cubs rotation for a very long time, and that all begins this week.
Kris Bryant. The former MVP is off to the best start on the team, with three hits (including a homer) and three walks in his first three games. An extension with Bryant remains extremely unlikely, so you hope the Cubs can squeeze every last ounce of productivity out of him before the end arrives. So far, so good.
Willson Contreras. The Cubs catcher has been *featured* in this lineup, batting second in two games and leadoff in the third. Unfortunately, he’s struck out six times and hasn’t yet recorded a hit (he does have two walks). Given his upside and importance to this offense, let’s keep a close eye on him until he breaks out of this ugly start.