On the horizon: Preview of the Cubs vs. Brewers series

When the Cubs began June, they certainly didn’t expect to end the month with a double-digit deficit to the Brewers in the NL Central.

But here we are.

For more information on the Brewers, contact Harrison Freuck, manager of our SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball.

Since Milwaukee welcomed the Cubs to town to close out May, the Brewers have been winning steadily throughout June. After a three-game sweep of the defending World Champion Texas Rangers, they are now a season-high 15 games over .500.

The Brewers continue to struggle with injury problems, as Robert Gasser was just the latest in a series of pitchers to spend extended periods on the injured list (he is expected to return next season), while Gary Sánchez, Oliver Dunn and Joey Ortiz have all been injured in recent days. Still, Milwaukee’s offense has done enough to carry the team, leading the league with 37 steals this month, as Pat Murphy’s small-ball strategies seem to be working.

On the pitching side, Tobias Myers had a breakout month in June. He entered the month with a 5.40 ERA, allowed just two runs in 25⅓ innings (0.71 ERA) and had 18 strikeouts in four starts this month, all of which ended in wins for the Crew. Bryan Hudson and Trevor Megill continue to impress out of the bullpen, while Colin Rea also had a solid month in the rotation, picking up two wins with a 3.22 ERA in four appearances (three starts). Given the opposite directions these two teams are going, I would expect the Brewers to win the series this weekend.

Funny fact

The Cubs’ last series against the Brewers also took place in Milwaukee: four games, May 27-30.

Prior to this series, the teams had met in 67 series in Wisconsin since the rivalry began in 1997. They have played 14 consecutive series there, none of which have been in Chicago. This is the first such series since 2016, when they played May 17-19 and then July 22-23.

Since then, the teams have met in 19 series in Milwaukee, including this year.

In 2002 and 2012, the Cubs played three consecutive series in Milwaukee.

(Courtesy of JohnW53 of BCB)

Probable pitching duels

Friday: Jameson Taillon, RHP (4-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 3.83 FIP) vs. Colin Rea, RHP (6-2, 3.62 ERA, 1.244 WHIP, 4.80 FIP)

Saturday: Justin Steele, LHP (0-3, 3.08 ERA, 1.057 WHIP, 3.64 FIP) vs. Tobias Myers, RHP (5-2, 3.12 ERA, 1.115 WHIP, 4.41 FIP)

Sunday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (1-5, 6.87 ERA, 1.491 WHIP, 5.08 FIP) vs. Freddy Peralta, RHP (5-4, 4.03 ERA, 1.172 WHIP, 3.54 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 7:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside Cubs and Brewers markets)

Saturday: 3:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, FS1 (no blackouts)

Sunday: 1:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

forecast

I am an optimist by nature and try to be so on this site.

But the Cubs will be lucky if they win a game in this series. Hopefully I’m wrong!

Next

The Cubs have Monday off and then return to Wrigley Field to host the Phillies in a three-game series beginning Tuesday night.