The Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs will wrap up their three-game series on Wednesday night at Miller Park. This is a battle between the top two teams in the National League, and each game is extremely important. The Brewers will be looking for a series sweep after winning the first two games of the series.
The Brewers have climbed to within three games of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central division by winning the first two games of this series. The Cubs still have the best record in the National League at 81-57, but the Brewers and the Cardinals won’t go away. The Milwaukee Brewers are -113 in the series finale against the Cubs.
Jose Quintana Pitching Well For Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are in need of a big start from left-hander Jose Quintana on Wednesday night. Quintana has been up and down this for the Cubs, but appears to be pitching must better of late. He is 11-9 with a 4.21 earned run average through 26 starts this season, but has traditionally pitched well against the Brewers. He has given up just seven earned runs in 24 innings against Milwaukee this season, and the Cubs hope the trend continues on Wednesday.
Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo continue to lead the Cubs offense, which is the 7th highest scoring team in baseball. Baez has blasted 30 home runs and driven in 100 runs this season, while also posting a batting average around the .300 mark. Anthony Rizzo blasted a go-ahead two-run homer in Monday night’s loss, and had a terrific month of August. The Cubs need to find a way to score some runs in the series finale.
Brewers Bullpen Fading Fast
The Milwaukee Brewers had one of the most dominant bullpens in the first half of the season, but things have changed in a big way since the All-Star Break. The Brewers demoted struggling closer Corey Knebel to Triple-A in August before calling him back up recently.
Flame-thrower Josh Hader gave up the homer to Rizzo on Monday afternoon and has not been racking up the strikeouts like he did in the first half of the season. The Brewers need their bullpen to perform if they are going to catch the Cubs.
Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain have been outstanding for the Brewers in their first season with the club. Yelich was named the National League Player of the Week for his dominant performance at the plate last week. Cain has been a spark plug at the top of the Brewers lineup and brings a .398 on-base percentage into play on Wednesday.
Brewers Complete Sweep Over Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are in desperate need of a win on Wednesday night to salvage a game this series. A victory would give the Cubs a four-game lead in the National League Central, and lower the magic number to 19. The Brewers are looking to complete the sweep and put a ton of pressure on the Cubs heading into the final few weeks. Look for Milwaukee to find a way to complete the sweep in this game. Bet the Brewers -113 over the Cubs on Wednesday.
