MLB Weekend Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs

A three-game NL Central battle commences at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon as the Milwaukee Brewers (68-65) take on the Chicago Cubs (72-61). Every game is critical for these playoff aspirants. Here’s what bettors should be anticipating throughout.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs, Friday, 2:20 p.m. ET, MLBN

Chase Anderson (6-3, 4.34 ERA) should give the Brewers a solid five innings in the series opener while his offense tees off on Cubs starter Jose Quintana once more.

Anderson recovered from a disastrous start against the Nationals on August 18 (10 runs allowed over 2 1/3 innings) by shutting out the Diamondbacks over five frames on August 24. Excluding that effort against Washington, Anderson owns a 2.62 ERA in 10 starts since July 1. Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Javier Baez and outfielder Kyle Schwarber have combined for just five hits in 55 prior at-bats (.091) against the Texas native.

Jose Quintana (11-8, 4.05 ERA) owns a respectable 1.161 WHIP in eight starts since the All-Star break, but he’s struggled mightily against Milwaukee this year. He’s 1-2 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts against the Brewers in 2019 (20 1/3 innings). Left fielder Ryan Braun (1.051 OPS last 15 games) has three home runs off Quintana this season.

It’s difficult to have faith in these bullpens going into Friday night. Milwaukee’s relievers have produced a 6.19 ERA over the last two weeks (26th), while Chicago’s bullpen owns a 5.73 ERA in the same span (24th).

MLB Free Play: Brewers moneyline first five innings (+120)

Saturday, 2:20 p.m. ET

Milwaukee’s Zach Davies (8-7, 3.90 ERA) is in danger of dropping his sixth straight decision against Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.73 ERA) and Chicago on Saturday afternoon.

Davies holds an uninspiring 6.17 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break. In four efforts against the Cubs this season, he’s 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA and .262 opponent batting average. Chicago third baseman Kris Bryant, 16-for-47 (.340) all-time against Davies, could be the key cog in the Cubs’ offense in this spot.

Hamels has tossed two consecutive quality starts coming into this matchup with a team he’s dominated in 2019. The four-time All-Star has surrendered just three earned runs to the Brewers over 18 innings this season.

Sunday, 2:20 p.m. ET

Runs could be hard to come by in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.

Gio Gonzalez (2-2, 4.34 ERA) starts for the visitors, and he’s held the Cubs to a .179 batting average in three outings this year. Baez, Rizzo, and Bryant are a combined 7-for-59 (.119) all-time against the Florida native.

Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.25 ERA) counters for Chicago, and his WHIP in nine starts since the All-Star break is an impressive 0.795. He was effective in his first start against Milwaukee this year, giving up only one earned run in five innings of work. Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain is just 2-for-14 (.143) all-time against Darvish.

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