Brewers Take 7 1/2-Game Lead Into Four Games at Wrigley
Milwaukee arrives in Chicago at 85-52 and clear of the Cubs in the National League Central, opening seven meetings in 10 days.
The Series Setup
The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, the top two teams in Major League Baseball's National League Central division, began a four-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Monday. It is the start of seven games between the two clubs over the next 10 days.
Brew Crew Ball listed the records as Milwaukee 85-52 and Chicago 77-60. MLB.com reported the Brewers entered the stretch 7 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs in the division, pending Chicago's Sunday night game against the Cincinnati Reds.
MLB.com also noted that Milwaukee leads the season series between the two teams 4-2, which would matter if tiebreakers come into play. Brew Crew Ball argued that a 3-4 record across the seven games would probably be enough for the Brewers to settle the division.
Pitching Matchups
Monday's opener paired Cubs starter Clay Holmes with Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison. Brew Crew Ball reported that Holmes, who joined Chicago at the trade deadline, allowed one run and nine hits across 19 innings in his previous three outings, though the Cubs went 1-2 in those games. Holmes spent three years as the New York Yankees closer before joining the New York Mets and moving into starting work in 2025.
Harrison was making his fifth start after missing nearly a month with a sore elbow. Brew Crew Ball described the results as mixed, and said he has not pitched into the sixth inning since June 20.
For Tuesday's Game 2, first pitch at 7:40 p.m. ET, Yahoo Sports reported that Milwaukee sends left-hander Robert Gasser against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, with Chicago a home favorite. Yahoo Sports said Chicago leads the majors in weighted on-base average and isolated power against left-handed pitching, and forecast hot, humid conditions in the upper 80s with winds blowing out.
Roster Moves and Recent Form
The Brewers lost 7-4 to the Texas Rangers at American Family Field on Sunday, with catcher Gary Sanchez hitting his 200th career home run. Starter Dustin May needed 97 pitches to record 13 outs and told reporters afterward that he has to be better.
MLB.com reported that May will not pitch during the four days at Wrigley Field. Brew Crew Ball said Milwaukee reinstated reliever Abner Uribe from the injured list and placed Bryse Wilson on the 15-day injured list after he tweaked his back Sunday.
Rosters were set to expand to 28 players. The two additional players Milwaukee planned to add were not confirmed in the sources.
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