For the second time in less than two weeks, the Brewers are set to face off with the Cubs. The two squads split a four-game set at Wrigley last week, and Milwaukee will play host for three games this week, the final regular-season showdown between the teams this year. Milwaukee is 6-4 against Chicago this season, though just 1-2 at home.
Since their last matchup, the Brewers dropped two of three to the Reds in Cincinnati, while the Cubs took two of three from the Marlins in Miami.
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No big injury or roster updates on either side, though Chicago outfielder Ian Happ is considered day-to-day with left knee discomfort, and pitcher Javier Assad was recalled from Triple-A to replace Tyler Ferguson, who was optioned. Milwaukee’s lone roster move is a waiver move, as Joel Kuhnel, who was DFA’d last week, was claimed by the Giants on Friday.
Just to remind you of what these two teams bring to the table offensively and on the mound, here’s a quick rundown of both squads.
Milwaukee is hitting .256/.339/.400 (.739 OPS ranks fifth), with 133 homers (last), 726 runs scored (third), and 140 steals (tied for fourth). The Cubs are hitting .252/.340/.431 (.771 OPS ranks first), with 201 homers (first), 768 runs scored (first), and 102 steals (10th). Two high-scoring offenses, two very different ways of doing it.
On the mound, Milwaukee ranks second in the majors with a 3.54 team ERA, including a 3.69 starter ERA (fifth) and a 3.36 bullpen ERA (fourth). They’ve struck out 1,379 batters (second) over 1,284 2/3 innings. Chicago ranks 19th with a 4.21 team ERA, including a 4.37 starter ERA (19th) and a 3.99 bullpen ERA (13th). They’ve struck out 1,111 batters (26th) over 1,286 2/3 innings.
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Probable Pitchers
Monday, September 7 @ 1:10 p.m.: LHP Robert Gasser (4-5, 4.57 ERA, 4.37 FIP) vs. LHP Matthew Boyd (8-3, 4.05 ERA, 4.57 FIP)
We’ll get to see three pitching rematches from last week’s four-game set. First up is Gasser vs. Boyd. Gasser is 4-5 with a 4.57 ERA and 4.37 FIP this season, striking out 82 batters over 86 2/3 innings. He took a no-decision in what was a pretty “meh” game against Chicago last week, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and a pair of walks, striking out four in Milwaukee’s eventual 9-4 victory. For his career, he’s totaled 10 1/3 innings against Chicago, with a 1.74 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
Boyd, who is 8-3 with a 4.05 ERA, 4.57 FIP, and 79 strikeouts across 102 1/3 innings this year, took a no-decision last week against Gasser and the Crew, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over 5 1/3 innings before his bullpen faltered late. Boyd has made six career starts against Milwaukee, with a 2-2 record, 8.26 ERA, and 22 strikeouts over 28 1/3 innings.
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Tuesday, September 8 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (14-5, 1.97 ERA, 2.27 FIP) vs. LHP David Peterson (7-8, 5.39 ERA, 4.17 FIP)
Misiorowski, still the NL Cy Young favorite, is coming off his worst start of the year against Chicago, as he allowed five runs on five hits and four walks, striking out five over just four innings as the Cubs got to him early and often. Even so, the right-hander has a sub-2.00 ERA and leads the league with 227 strikeouts and a 0.794 WHIP. For his career, Miz is 2-1 against Chicago, with a 4.13 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 24 innings.
Peterson, who has turned his season around quite a bit with the Cubs after struggling early with the Mets, is 7-8 this year, with a 5.39 ERA and 4.17 FIP over 28 appearances (19 starts) between the two teams. He took the loss against Miz and the Brewers last week, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out four over just 3 2/3 innings. Prior to that one, though, he had plenty of success against Milwaukee, winning four consecutive starts over the last four seasons, allowing just four runs (three earned) and striking out 19 over 25 1/3 innings.
Wednesday, September 9 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Logan Henderson (9-3, 2.48 ERA, 3.28 FIP) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (9-11, 4.38 ERA, 3.58 FIP)
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Despite having the best start of last week’s series against the Cubs, Henderson got pinned with a loss as he was outdueled by Kevin Gausman in Thursday’s series finale. Henderson went seven solid frames, allowing just two runs (on a two-run homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong) on three hits and no walks, striking out seven in Milwaukee’s 2-1 loss. Henderson is quickly turning into a clear No. 2 behind Miz for the postseason, as he’s now 9-3 with a 2.48 ERA, 3.28 FIP, and 93 strikeouts across 83 1/3 innings this year. This is Henderson’s second career start against Chicago.
Gausman is 4-1 with the Cubs across his six starts since being acquired at the deadline, with a 4.37 ERA, 3.84 FIP, and 38 strikeouts over 35 innings. He had one of his better outings since joining Chicago last time out, allowing just one run over seven innings on five hits (a solo homer by Andrew Vaughn) and a walk, striking out nine in the victory. Gausman has now made nine appearances (seven starts) against Milwaukee, with a sterling 1.89 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings.
How to Watch & Listen
Monday, September 7: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
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Tuesday, September 8: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, September 9: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
The Brewers and Cubs looked very evenly matched last week, and I’d expect the same thing to happen this time around. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three with home-field advantage.
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