Stephanie: Jackson Chourio with two outs in the ninth, tying the game. The Cubs had it won, and then they didn’t. It’s a heartbreaker, but the rivalry continues tonight.
Sean: It is what it is in Chicago baseball. We lost 4-3 yesterday, and now we’re back in Milwaukee for Game 3 of this series. The stakes are higher than ever.
Stephanie: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Stephanie, joined by Sean. If you’re new here, you’re in the right place for daily Cubs coverage. Today: who starts on the mound, how do we fix that bullpen leak, and can we stop Chourio from being the hero?
Sean: We’re looking at the pitching rotation, the injury report which is getting longer every day, and the offensive approach against the Brewers’ late-inning strategies. Let’s get into it.
Stephanie: Let’s start with the big picture. The Cubs are 81-65, sitting second in the NL Central. Yesterday’s loss keeps the pressure on. Who is starting tonight?
Sean: Based on the rotation order, it looks like Matthew Boyd or Colin Rea could be in the mix, but given the injuries to Grant Anderson and Bryse Wilson, the staff is stretched thin. Kevin Gausman is our ace, but he might be saved for a later spot if we need him.
Stephanie: Right. And Shota Imanaga? He was expected to start yesterday, but the team went another route. Where does he fit in for the rest of this series?
Sean: Imanaga is crucial. His command and ability to keep the ball in the park will be vital against a Brewers lineup that has shown patience all season. If he can go six innings, it takes the pressure off the bullpen immediately.
Stephanie: That’s the key. But let’s talk about the opponent. The Brewers just beat us 4-3 thanks to Jackson Chourio’s homer. How do we handle him specifically?
Sean: Chourio is 22 years old and playing like a veteran. He swings at strikes and makes contact. Our pitchers need to avoid leaving fastballs over the plate in high-leverage spots. It’s about location, not just velocity.
Stephanie: So, pitch inside, change speeds. Got it. This series is critical for playoff positioning. Let’s shift gears to the players who have to deliver.
Sean: Offensively, we need Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong to get on base. Their OBP is critical because we don’t have a deep lineup right now with so many guys out.
Stephanie: And Michael Conforto? He’s been solid lately. Do we trust him to drive in runs in the middle of the order?
Sean: Conforto has the power to hit home runs, but consistency is the issue. He needs to make contact earlier in counts. Against Milwaukee’s defense, pulling the ball to the opposite field can be effective.
Stephanie: What about the infield? Alex Bregman is at third, but Gabriel Arias and Matt Shaw are also in the mix. How does the defensive alignment look?
Sean: Bregman provides stability. With Ian Happ in left and Seiya Suzuki in right, the outfield is strong. But we need to watch for bunts and ground balls. The Brewers love to use small ball.
Stephanie: Speaking of injuries, Dansby Swanson is close to a rehab assignment. Does his return help the shortstop position immediately?
Sean: Swanson’s experience is invaluable, especially for pitch framing and directing the infield. But he’s still recovering from an oblique strain. We’ll see if he’s ready for full duty tonight or just a bench role.
Stephanie: Okay, so Swanson might not be starting, but he’s a boost for the dugout. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the bullpen.
Sean: Jacob Webb gave up the HR last night. That’s the second straight game the bullpen has blown a lead. Clay Holmes is available, but he’s listed as a starter in some reports, which is confusing.
Stephanie: Clarify that for us. Is Holmes pitching or starting?
Sean: Holmes is primarily a reliever, but with the injuries to Anderson and Wilson, the team might be using him in a hybrid role. Either way, Javier Assad and Daniel Palencia need to step up.
Stephanie: Palencia has been reliable. Can he handle the eighth inning against a tough lineup?
Sean: He has good stuff. His slider is effective against lefties. If he can keep the Brewers’ top hitters off balance, we can set up the closer.
Stephanie: Alright, injuries continue to mount. Rob Zastryzny is out 60 days, Edward Cabrera 15 days. The depth is tested. What’s the plan for the ninth?
Sean: Caleb Thielbar or Ryan Zeferjahn might get the call. They’ve had success in low-leverage spots, but high-leverage requires confidence. We’ll see who Counsell trusts tonight.
Stephanie: This series is winnable, but the margin for error is tiny. One mistake, and it’s over. Let’s move to our final segment: keys to victory.
Sean: First key: Pitching efficiency. If the starters go seven innings, we stand a chance. Second: Contact hitting. We can’t rely on the long ball against Milwaukee’s bullpen.
Stephanie: Agreed. And third: Defense. No errors. Every run matters in this tight division race.
Sean: Here’s my bold prediction: The Cubs win Game 3, but drop the series. The Brewers’ offense is too hot right now.
Stephanie: I disagree slightly. I think the Cubs take this one, but it goes to extra innings again. Something feels different with the crowd energy.
Sean: Extra innings are risky for a tired bullpen. I’ll stick with my pick: Brewers sweep the series.
Stephanie: Whether it’s extra innings or not, we’re riding this wave with you. Before we go, a quick ask. We pour hours into research and editing to keep this feed running daily. A coffee helps us stay caffeinated and focused. Check the link in the episode description.
Sean: Thanks for listening. Subscribe, rate, and review. Go Cubs!