The Cubs are trying to stop a slide that has been defined by late-inning pain, and they’ll need to do it against a Brewers team that has already handed them two straight 4-3 losses. Chicago’s defense and starting pitching have been solid enough to keep these games tight, but the bullpen has continued to undo the work. With a trip to face the Pirates coming next, and the Phillies still pressuring them in the Wild Card race, tonight carries real weight for Craig Counsell’s club.
The matchup shifts to American Family Field, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM CT. The Cubs are 81-65, while the Brewers come in at 90-56. Fans can watch on Marquee Sports Network or listen on 104.3 The Score.
Chicago is sticking closer to its regular look this time around after using a more unusual setup against Jacob Misiorowski on Monday. That night, Matt Shaw, Tyrone Taylor, and Ian Happ were all in the lineup. Against Milwaukee again, only one of those three remains in the starting nine, with Pedro Ramírez and Michael Conforto back in.
Happ will still be in the lineup, but he’ll do it at designated hitter, which will be just the fifth time he’s filled that role this season. Conforto takes Happ’s place in left field. Michael Busch also moves up to the three-hole, while Alex Bregman drops back into the cleanup spot.
The Cubs’ offense has been doing enough lately no matter who Counsell writes into the card. That said, they were held to only three hits in seven innings last week by Logan Henderson, and they’ll need a cleaner night if they want to avoid another close loss.
Chicago’s lineup: Pete Crow-Armstrong in center, Seiya Suzuki at DH, Michael Busch at first, Alex Bregman at third, Ian Happ at DH, Nico Hoerner at shortstop, Pedro Ramírez at second, Michael Conforto in left, and Carson Kelly behind the plate.
Milwaukee counters with Jackson Chourio in left, Brice Turang at second, William Contreras catching, Andrew Vaughn at first, Christian Yelich at DH, Sam Frelick in right, Joey Ortiz at third, Garrett Mitchell in center, and Cooper Pratt at short.
On the mound for Chicago, Kevin Gausman gets another chance to build on what he did against Henderson last week. He went seven innings, gave up one earned run on five hits, and struck out nine, his highest total since April 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Since arriving with the Cubs at the trade deadline, the veteran has looked like a pitcher built for moments like this, especially this time of year.
Henderson, meanwhile, brings a 2.48 ERA into the game and just carved up the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He allowed three hits and two earned runs over seven innings and struck out seven.
His 30.0 percent strikeout rate jumps off the page, and he’s done it with only a 4.5 percent walk rate. Efficiency has been his calling card.
Still, there’s a crack in the armor. Henderson has been susceptible to the long ball, posting a 38.6 percent hard-hit rate and allowing seven home runs over his last six games. That gives the Cubs at least one clear path if they can start driving the ball with authority.
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