Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers – Series Preview (July 22–24): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (48-53) opened up the second half by dropping a series to the Diamondbacks at Wrigley. They were able to salvage the final game of the set with a dramatic 9th-inning comeback, but the offensive struggles that were such a big part of their flailing in May and June returned with a vengeance as they tallied just four total runs against Arizona pitchers.
Things don’t get any easier with a matchup against the first-place Brewers (57-42) starting Monday. Pat Murphy‘s squad came out of the All-Star break with no hitting problems, putting up 16 runs in a two-game mini-sweep of the Twins. They had lost three consecutive series before the break, however, and the Cardinals have crept to within five games in the standings.
Milwaukee just took two of three from the Cubs at American Family Field at the start of this month and the two defeats featured grand slams by the home team. Christian Yelich is having another huge year and, although they aren’t a big home run-hitting team, their .731 team OPS and 482 runs scored are both top 10 in baseball.
The Brewers are following their typical script when it comes to pitching, riding a middling starting staff (4.20 ERA) and an outstanding bullpen (3.35 ERA). Colin Rea and Freddy Peralta have been solid in the rotation while Trevor Megill is holding down the closer job with Devin Williams still out with a back injury.
The Cubs are going to have to step up their game offensively if they want to hang with Milwaukee in this series. They did win the first series the two clubs played at Wrigley in early May, so it can be done. The odds aren’t good but it would be nice if the North Siders offered fans a pleasant surprise for a change.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Monday, July 22 at 7:05pm CT on Marquee.
- Tuesday, July 23 at 7:05pm CT on Marquee.
- Wednesday, July 24 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 7/22 | Javier Assad | 26 | R | 3.27 | 4-3 | 4.51 | 2.26 |
| Tobias Myers | 25 | R | 3.13 | 6-3 | 4.16 | 3.10 | |
| 7/23 | Jameson Taillon | 32 | R | 3.10 | 7-4 | 3.81 | 4.17 |
| Colin Rea | 34 | R | 3.77 | 9–3 | 4.48 | 2.45 | |
| 7/24 | Justin Steele | 29 | L | 3.07 | 2-4 | 3.18 | 4.35 |
| TBA |
What to Watch For
- This is the final series of the year between the Cubs and Brewers.
- Steele gave up five runs against Arizona Friday after pitching great in his three previous outings.
- Mike Tauchman returned from his groin injury but went hitless in 10 at-bats this weekend.
- Milwaukee hasn’t named a starter for Wednesday and they may use an opener.