Stephanie: Pete Crow-Armstrong just hit his forty-second home run of the season, but it came in a crushing 10-to-3 loss to the Marlins. The Cubs are reeling, they’re second in the NL Central, and tonight they fly into Milwaukee to face the first-place Brewers. Can Chicago stop the bleeding, or is this series the start of a slide?
Sean: It’s a tough spot for sure. You’ve got an 81-and-63 record, which is solid, but dropping three straight against Miami with that kind of score disparity changes the momentum. Tonight is about damage control against a Brewers team that sits at 88-and-56.
Stephanie: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast! I’m Stephanie, and joining me is Sean. We’ve got a lot to get through today. We’re looking at the pitching matchup against Milwaukee, dealing with the injury report, and figuring out if this offense can bounce back after that Marlins drubbing.
Sean: Exactly. We’re breaking down the ABS challenge system implications, the state of the bullpen with so many arms on IL, and what Kevin Gausman needs to do to keep the Cubs in playoff contention.
Stephanie: Before we dive in, quick favor. If you love having fresh analysis delivered daily, help us keep the lights on. Your support covers the research, the editing, and keeps the feed running without ads. Grab a coffee via the link in the episode description—it makes a huge difference. Now, let’s get to the game.
Stephanie: Okay, let’s talk pitching. The Cubs are traveling to Milwaukee for a three-game series. Last night was rough. Max Meyer was on the IL, Edward Cabrera was on the IL, and we lost 10-to-3. Who is starting tonight for Chicago?
Sean: The roster lists several starters available. We have Matthew Boyd, Aaron Civale, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes listed as SP, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, and Colin Rea. Given the rotation depth and the need for quality starts against a high-powered Brewers lineup, I’d expect them to lean on either Gausman or Imanaga here.
Stephanie: Right. And looking at the Brewers, they’re sitting first in the NL Central at 88-and-56. That’s a seven-game lead over the Cubs. They aren’t just any opponent; they are the team standing between Chicago and the top seed.
Sean: That’s the key context. When you’re chasing the division lead, every game against the leader is a must-win. The ABS challenge system tracker shows how competitive the league is right now. Milwaukee has been efficient. If the Cubs’ starter doesn’t limit walks and keep the ball in the park, those runs will pile up quickly, just like they did last night.
Stephanie: Last night, Javier Sanoja hit a two-run homer and Heriberto Hernández added a solo shot. That’s pressure on the Cubs' pitcher from minute one. Do you think Shota Imanaga can handle that? He’s been dominant recently, as we noted yesterday.
Sean: Imanaga has had great command lately. But Milwaukee’s lineup is tricky. They play aggressive baseball. If Imanaga falls behind in counts, they’ll punish him. I think he has to attack the zone early. If he goes with Kevin Gausman, it’s more about power and strikeouts. Gausman can miss bats, which helps when you’re facing a team that hits well.
Stephanie: Let’s look at the bullpen though. This is where it gets scary for the fans. We have Anthony Bender on the 15-day IL. Pete Fairbanks is on the 15-day IL. Gavin Hollowell is on the 15-day IL. Ronny Henriquez is on the 60-day IL. Shelby Miller is on the 60-day IL. Tyler Austin is on the 60-day IL.
Sean: That is a massive hole in the middle relief. Losing Fairbanks and Bender hurts your setup roles. You’re left with Javier Assad, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Rolison, Caleb Thielbar, Trent Thornton, Jacob Webb, and Ryan Zeferjahn. That’s not a bad group, but it’s untested in high-leverage spots compared to what they had earlier in the year.
Stephanie: So the starter has to go deep. If the starter goes six innings, the manager has to use four or five relievers. That exposes the weaker arms. Do you trust Jacob Webb to close it out if needed?
Sean: Webb is capable, but he’s not a traditional closer role player in this specific configuration. You want to save your best arms for the ninth. With the injuries, they might have to be creative. It’s going to be a test of bullpen management. If they burn too many guys early, they’ll be empty by the eighth inning.
Stephanie: Ouch. Okay, stick with us after this break. We’re talking about the offense trying to snap this slump and Ian Happ’s status. Don’t go anywhere.
Stephanie: We’re back. Let’s talk about the hitters. Last night, Pete Crow-Armstrong slugged his fortieth home run. Forty! In a losing effort, but still, that’s historic production. Is he the engine of this team right now?
Sean: He absolutely is. His launch angle and power speed combo is elite. Even in a 10-to-3 loss, he contributed. That shows his value. He’s not just hitting for average; he’s driving in runs. Against Milwaukee, he needs to stay aggressive. They pitch to him, knowing he can take the wall.
Stephanie: What about Alex Bregman? He’s at third base. How has he fit in since coming over?
Sean: Bregman provides stability. He’s a high-OBP guy. He draws walks, he understands situational hitting. In a tight playoff race, you need that plate discipline. He complements Crow-Armstrong well. One brings the power, the other brings the contact and the walk rate.
Stephanie: And Michael Conforto? He homered and singled in the previous game, leading the Cubs past the Marlins 6-to-5. Is he heating up?
Sean: Conforto is finding his rhythm. He’s a DH, so he gets regular at-bats. His swing path allows him to pull the ball effectively. Against Milwaukee, who plays aggressively, Conforto needs to watch for defensive shifts. But generally, he’s a threat every time he steps in.
Stephanie: Nico Hoerner had three hits and an RBI in that win. He’s been consistent. What about the catcher situation? Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly are both on the roster.
Sean: Carson Kelly offers more power potential, while Amaya is good defensively. Pitching-wise, they need someone who can handle the young arms in the bullpen. With so many relievers calling up, the catchers need to be leaders in the dugout. I think Kelly might get the nod if the starter is a ground-ball guy, but it depends on the matchup.
Stephanie: Ian Happ is listed as Day-To-Day. Does that impact the lineup significantly?
Sean: Happ is a versatile piece. He plays outfield and can DH. If he’s out, they might move Tyrone Taylor to a corner spot or give Matt Shaw more time in right. It’s a blow to the middle of the order, but their depth is decent. Seiya Suzuki is also there for right field. They can fill the gap.
Stephanie: Xavier Edwards is on the 10-day IL too. So the infield depth is stretched. Gabriel Arias and Pedro Ramirez are options at second and short. Do you trust them against a Brewers infield that hits well?
Sean: Arias has power, but his defense can be shaky. Ramirez is solid defensively. Against Milwaukee, defense matters because they don’t make many errors. If the Cubs make mistakes, Milwaukee will capitalize. It’s going to be a tight defensive battle.
Stephanie: Alright, the offense has talent, but the injuries are piling up. Let’s look ahead. What are the keys to winning this series?
Sean: First, strikeout avoidance. You can’t give away outs. Second, bullpen efficiency. Use your top guys in the seventh and eighth. Third, capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Last night, they scored three runs on ten hits? That’s inefficient. They need to string hits together.
Stephanie: Great points. Stick with us. We’re making our bold prediction for the series outcome next.
Stephanie: We’re back. Let’s make some predictions. Last time, I predicted a 3-to-1 Cubs victory in one game. Sean, you predicted a split for the overall series. How do you see this three-game set against Milwaukee going?
Sean: Milwaukee is the better team right now. They’re first in the division. I think they win two of these three. The Cubs might steal one at home, but on the road against the leader? Hard to see it.
Stephanie: I agree it’s tough. But I think the Cubs can take Game One. If Gausman or Imanaga pitches well, they can shock the Brewers. I’m going to say the Cubs win one, lose two. A split isn’t happening, but a sweep is unlikely.
Sean: Fair enough. I’ll tweak my prediction. I think the Brewers win all three. Their pitching depth is better, and their lineup is clicking. The Cubs are too depleted in the bullpen to sustain a three-game sweep against a top-tier team.
Stephanie: Bold call, Sean! But you know the data. Milwaukee is 88-and-56. They’re playing for the top seed. The Cubs are fighting for wild card positioning. Every game counts.
Sean: Exactly. The ABS challenge system rankings show Milwaukee’s batters are among the best in the league. If the Cubs’ pitchers can’t keep up, it’s over quickly. I respect the Cubs’ resilience, but the gap is real right now.
Stephanie: So, final thoughts. The Cubs need to tighten up defensively, get timely hitting from Conforto and Bregman, and hope their starter goes deep. It’s a big test for the front office’s roster construction.
Sean: Agreed. It’s a make-or-break moment for their September push. If they can’t beat the leader, the wild card race gets much harder. Stay tuned for the box score tomorrow.
Stephanie: That’s it for today’s preview. The Cubs travel to Milwaukee tonight to face the first-place Brewers. We’ll be there with the update. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Sean: Go Cubs. Go Go Cubs Go.