Following Friday’s 2-1 contest between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers that went in favor of the latter team, another 2-1 decision was met on Saturday. This time, it was Chicago who prevailed victorious.
The defending World Series champions are on a tear since coming off the All-Star Break, winning 12 of their last 15 games. Saturday’s victory also gave them a one-and-a-half game cushion over the Brewers in the division standings.
Regining NL MVP Kris Bryant had three hits and knocked in a game-tying run with an RBI single in the seventh inning, while Jason Heyward hit a solo homer for the go-ahead run in the 11th. The Cubs still have a middle-of-the-pack offense stat-wise, but it’s a good sign that their stars are starting to light it up again.
Chicago’s biggest asset in its recent sizzling stretch, meanwhile, is its bullpen. After five innings of one-run ball from Saturday’s starter, Kyle Hendricks, six relievers combined to pitch six scoreless innings to seal the win. Closer Wade Davies, in particular, had another outstanding outing performance by picking up his 21st save of the year. Davies, by the way, has yet to blow a save opportunity this entire season.
Starting in the three-game series finale ahead is John Lackey (7-9, 4.97 ERA). The 38-year-old veteran has been solid of late, picking up two wins in as many starts entering Sunday’s contest, all the while sporting a cool 2.70 ERA during that span.
Contrary to the Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers have sputtered since the All-Star Break. Their hold of the NL Central lead was lost almost instantly after going 5-10 since the break.
While the Brewers still rank eighth in the majors in runs scored, they’ve gone 1-8 over their last nine games wherein they scored three or fewer runs. That one victory, mind you, was the aforementioned 2-1 contest on Friday over the Cubs.
The team’s breakout sensation of 2017, Eric Thames, scored the only run in Saturday’s loss. Thames, who once was the MLB leader in home runs, has just one homer since July 5. He’s also been held out of action in four of the 20 possible games during that stretch, and needs to get it going right now if Milwaukee aims to really challenge the Cubs in the division again.
Fortunately for the Brewers, they’ll have Zach Davies (12-4, 4.45 ERA) take the mound in Sunday’s rubber match. One of the 24-year-old righty’s best starts this season came against the Cubs, allowing just two earned runs in six innings of work on July 6 to pick up his 10th win of the season. However, pitching in Miller Park hasn’t been Davies’ strongest suit, as all four of his losses this season came at home along with a bloated earned run average of 6.45.
Writer’s Prediction
With a 4-3 win on Sunday, the Cubs (-121) take the three-game series against the Brewers and create further separation from their division rivals in the NL Central standings.
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