Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers – Series Preview (August 26-28): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (54-71) went 2-3 in a five-game series against the red-hot Cardinals this week, holding their own and continuing to look like a team on the rise. Now they head to Milwaukee to play three with the Brewers for the second time in a week.
After losing their series with the Cubs, the Brewers (65-58) moved on to LA and lost two of three to the Dodgers. Willy Adames is having another big power season with 25 home runs so far in 2022, then they’ve got Rowdy Tellez with 26 dingers. Keston Hiura has struggled this year, but he did homer three times at Wrigley last week.
Milwaukee have had some bullpen issues since trading Josh Hader, who has had his own trouble as a Padre. Allowing 23 runs in the last two games in Los Angeles isn’t a great look for a team that relies on its pitching staff. The Cubs are going to miss Corbin Burnes for a second consecutive series, so they could well take advantage of what has become a team weakness.
Chicago has maintained an edge over the Brewers so far this season and it would be fun to see them win this series and drag Milwaukee further from playoff contention. While not nearly as fun as making the postseason, knocking a division rival out is pretty good too.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, August 26 at 7:10pm CT on Marquee Sports Network.
- Saturday, August 27 at 6:10pm CT on Marquee Sports Network.
- Sunday, August 28 at 1:10pm CT on Marquee Sports Network.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 8/26 | Justin Steele | 27 | L | 3.25 | 4-7 | 3.11 | 2.61 |
| Freddy Peralta | 26 | R | 4.08 | 4-3 | 3.07 | 2.95 | |
| 8/27 | Drew Smyly | 33 | L | 3.47 | 5-7 | 4.12 | 3.74 |
| Brandon Woodruff | 29 | R | 3.51 | 9-3 | 3.39 | 3.94 | |
| 8/28 | Adrian Sampson | 30 | R | 4.04 | 1-4 | 3.86 | 3.00 |
| Eric Lauer | 27 | L | 3.44 | 9-5 | 4.72 | 2.66 |
What to Watch For
- In his last four starts, Steele has allowed just three runs and struck out 33 in 22.2 innings pitched.
- Not to be outdone, Smyly has put up a 1.13 ERA over 24 innings in his last four starts.
- Willson Contreras has been nursing a sore ankle and missed most of the series against the Cardinals; his status for this series is unclear.