Whitney: Christian Yelich just uncorked a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth to lift Milwaukee past Chicago 9-4, but if you think that’s all there is to this series, you’re missing the bigger picture. The Brewers are sitting pretty at 86-53, first in the NL Central, but they’ve got a massive test tonight against the very team that just embarrassed them with a franchise-record nine home runs.
Terry: It’s a stark contrast. One night they’re dominant, the next they’re getting pounded for seventeen runs. Tonight, we break down how Milwaukee handles the Chicago Cubs again, looking at the pitching matchup, the injuries keeping key arms on the sidelines, and whether the bullpen can actually close this thing out without collapsing like they did last time.
Whitney: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Whitney, and joining me as always is Terry. We’ve got three things coming up: first, we’re breaking down the pitching rotation and who starts tonight; second, we’re talking about the new additions from the deadline—Bo Naylor and JoJo Romero—and how they fit into an injured roster; and third, we’re giving you our keys to winning this series after that ugly 17-3 loss last week.
Terry: And remember, yesterday we predicted a split in this four-game set despite Chicago’s offensive momentum. Tonight is Game Two, so let’s see if the adjustment phase is over or if Milwaukee is still trying to figure out what hit them.
Whitney: Let’s get right into it. Terry, look at the board. The Cubs just hit sixty-two home runs in August. That is absurd volume. How do you prepare your starters for that kind of heat?
Terry: You don’t panic, but you definitely adjust your pitch selection. When a team is swinging that hard, you want to keep the ball in the dirt or on the inner half of the plate where they can’t get full extension. But the real question tonight is who is on the mound for Milwaukee? We know Brandon Woodruff is on the 60-day IL, so he’s not available. We’ve got Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, Kyle Harrison, Logan Henderson, Jacob Misiorowski, and Dustin May left in the mix.
Whitney: That’s a thin group. If I had to guess based on recent usage, I’m thinking Dustin May might be the guy to start tonight given his experience. Do you agree, or do you go younger with someone like Harrison?
Terry: I’d lean toward May simply because he knows how to eat innings. Against a Cubs lineup that has been red-hot, you need someone who can manage the game, not just throw strikes. Kyle Harrison is talented, but he’s still developing his command. If May can get through five innings and keep the score within one run, that’s a win for the Brewers' staff right now.
Whitney: Okay, so May is the anchor. What about the Cubs’ starter? We know Alex Bregman had that three-homer game Monday night. He’s clearly locked in. Does that change how Milwaukee sets up their defense?
Terry: It absolutely changes everything. You have to respect the pull power. Bregman is pulling the ball with such high exit velocity that you can’t afford to give him any middle-away pitches. You have to challenge him inside. And with Jackson Chourio in the outfield, you have to make sure the shift isn’t too extreme because Chourio can go the other way when he wants to.
Whitney: Right, platoon splits matter here. If the Cubs are stacking the plate with power hitters, Milwaukee needs to attack the edges. Let’s talk about the bullpen. Last night, Joel Kuhnel was listed on the 15-day IL, and Rob Zastryzny is on the 60-day. Who is actually closing games for Milwaukee right now?
Terry: It’s a patchwork job. You’ve got Trevor Megill, DL Hall, Aaron Ashby, Grant Anderson, Chad Patrick, Antonio Senzatela, Abner Uribe, and now JoJo Romero. It’s a lot of arms, none of whom are traditional closers. The manager is going to have to use the 'opener' strategy more often or just ride whoever has the best stuff that day.
Whitney: That sounds exhausting for the coaching staff. If the starter goes six innings, who comes in for the seventh? Is it Megill? Or does Romero get the call since he just got added to the active roster Tuesday?
Terry: Romero is the logical choice for high-leverage spots. He’s a reliever by trade and was acquired specifically for depth. If Milwaukee wants to protect a lead, Romero should be the first phone called after the starter departs. But if they’re trailing, they’ll likely go with Hall or Anderson to try and manufacture outs.
Whitney: So, Romero is the ace of a very deep, very inexperienced relief corps. Stick with us, because next we’re diving into the hitters who made that 9-4 win possible last night.
Terry: Last night was a huge deal for Christian Yelich. That two-run homer wasn’t just a hit; it was a statement. He capped the four-run sixth inning, which turned a close game into a blowout. In a season where Yelich has been battling consistency issues, this kind of clutch performance is vital.
Whitney: It really was. And Joey Ortiz was there with a homer too. So two different guys driving in runs in that key frame. How much does Ortiz’s presence help the lineup overall?
Terry: Ortiz provides speed and contact. He doesn’t hit for as much power as Yelich, but he gets on base and puts pressure on the defense. When you combine his OBP with Yelich’s slugging, you create a nightmare for opposing pitchers. They can’t pitch around Ortiz without inviting Yelich to punish a mistake.
Whitney: What about Bo Naylor? He was added to the active roster Tuesday as part of those deadline deals. How does he impact the catcher position alongside William Contreras?
Terry: Naylor brings power from the catcher spot. Contreras is great at making contact and managing the pitcher, but Naylor adds a middle-of-the-order threat. If Gary Sanchez is also healthy, Milwaukee has three catchers who can hit. That’s a luxury most teams don’t have.
Whitney: Three catchers! That’s insane depth. But let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The 17-3 loss to the Cubs earlier in the week. Alex Bregman hit three homers, and Chicago set a team record with nine total. How do you bounce back from a defensive collapse like that?
Terry: You focus on execution. You can’t let one bad inning define the series. The Brewers showed resilience last night by scoring nine runs themselves. That’s the answer to the question: offense wins games. If Milwaukee can match Chicago’s power output, they neutralize the Cubs’ advantage.
Whitney: Exactly. It’s about responding. Jackson Chourio was mentioned in our previous episode as a player to watch for power. Did he contribute last night?
Terry: He’s always a threat. Even if he didn’t homer last night, his ability to draw walks and hit doubles keeps the inning alive. We predicted he’d hit a homer in the opener, and while Yelich got the big moment, Chourio’s role in sustaining rallies is just as important.
Whitney: So, Chourio’s patience, Ortiz’s speed, Yelich’s power. That’s the core. But what about the infield defense? With David Hamilton at third and Cooper Pratt at short, are they stable enough to handle a fast-paced game?
Terry: Hamilton is aggressive. Sometimes that leads to errors, but it also leads to range plays. Pratt is solid defensively. As long as they aren’t making mental mistakes, the defense is fine. The issue is usually communication between the infield and outfield. Garrett Mitchell in center field needs to be loud and clear.
Whitney: Communication is key. Let’s move on to Segment Three, where we’re locking in our keys to victory and making a bold prediction for tonight’s game.
Whitney: Alright, Terry. Keys to the series. We know the Cubs are hot offensively. What does Milwaukee need to do differently than they did in the 17-3 loss?
Terry: First, pitch count management. Don’t waste pitches in the early innings. Second, exploit the Cubs’ bullpen. Chicago’s bullpen wasn’t tested much in the 17-3 win because they were ahead so early. If Milwaukee can stay close into the eighth and ninth, they force Chicago to use their less experienced relievers.
Whitney: Smart. Wait for the late-inning mistakes. And what about the ABS challenge system? We saw headlines about team rankings. Does that affect how umpires call balls and strikes tonight?
Terry: The ABS challenge system is designed to improve accuracy, but it doesn’t change the strike zone itself. However, knowing that challenges are being tracked might make umpires slightly more cautious with borderline calls. Milwaukee should use challenges wisely if they feel a clear error occurred.
Whitney: Good point. Not to get too technical, but let’s focus on the result. Our prediction yesterday was a series split. Given that Yelich and Ortiz homered last night, do you feel confident in that split prediction?
Terry: I do. The Brewers have the edge in starting pitching depth if they can get quality starts from May or Henderson. Chicago’s offense is volatile—they can score seventeen or they can go cold. I expect Milwaukee to take tonight’s game.
Whitney: Bold prediction then: Milwaukee wins tonight 6-3. Yelich hits another homer, and JoJo Romero picks up the save. Are you ready to stand by that?
Terry: I’ll take it. If the bullpen stays healthy and the hitters continue to drive in runs with two outs, that scoreline feels realistic. The Brewers are 86-53 for a reason. They know how to win close games.
Whitney: There you have it. Yelich’s power, Romero’s arrival, and a focused defense are the keys to beating the Cubs tonight. If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network wherever you listen.
Terry: Share this episode with your fellow Brewers fans. Let’s hope the bullpen holds up and we see another strong outing from the starting rotation.
Whitney: Thanks for listening, everyone. Go Bucks, go Brewers! See you tomorrow.