Whitney: Eight runs. Eight runs in a single loss to the Cincinnati Reds. If you missed last night’s game, you might think we’re talking about a different era of baseball. But this is 2026, and the Milwaukee Brewers are still sitting pretty at first place in the NL Central with an 88-56 record. However, after watching Elly De La Cruz go off for four RBIs in a 12-8 defeat, there is only one question on my mind: How do they respond today?
Terry: It’s a tough pill to swallow, Whitney. You build momentum, you see guys like Cooper Pratt having career nights, and then you get blown out by a division rival that’s just as hungry. The good news? We don’t have time to dwell. Tonight, the Chicago Cubs come into town for a three-game set. It’s immediate redemption or immediate stagnation.
Whitney: That’s right. I’m Whitney, and this is the Beatline Podcast Network. Joining me as always is our resident analyst Terry. Terry, let’s be real for a second. Last night felt like a collapse. Is it just one bad inning, or does the bullpen look tired?
Terry: I think it’s fatigue, Whitney. When you’re missing Brandon Woodruff on the 60-day IL, and you’ve got guys like Hunter Greene and Rob Zastryzny also out, your depth gets tested. The Reds exploited that. But tonight, we shift focus. Here is what we are covering: First, who is on the mound against the Cubs? Second, can Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang keep the offense hot? And third, how do we manage the bullpen when everyone is playing their hearts out?
Whitney: Let’s dive right into Segment One. The pitching matchup. The Cubs are 81-63, sitting second in the division. They aren’t going away quietly. Who do we have starting for Milwaukee tonight?
Terry: Looking at the rotation options available to us right now, it’s a bit of a gamble. With Dustin May and Andrew Vaughn listed in the roster but not explicitly as starters for this specific date, we have to look at who is healthy. Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, Kyle Harrison, Logan Henderson, Jacob Misiorowski... it’s a crowded field of arms trying to fill the void left by Woodruff.
Whitney: So, no clear ace? That changes the strategy completely. Usually, you want to lean on experience here.
Terry: Exactly. And that’s why I’m looking closely at Logan Henderson. He’s been solid in spot starts. The Cubs’ lineup is dangerous—they hit for power, they move runners. If Henderson doesn’t miss bats early, the bullpen is going to have to work overtime. And remember, the bullpen is already thin.
Whitney: Right. Let’s talk about that thinness. We lost Trevor Megill to injury earlier this year, and now we’re relying on Grant Anderson, Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, Chad Patrick, JoJo Romero, Antonio Senzatela, and Abner Uribe. That’s a lot of names to juggle in a three-game series.
Terry: It’s a relief corps in survival mode. You have to use them strategically. You can’t just throw your best arm every day. If you burn out JoJo Romero or DL Hall in Game One, you’re in trouble for Games Two and Three. The manager has to be smart about platoon splits here. Who is the Cubs batting leadoff? If it’s a lefty-handed hitter, Romero might be the guy, even if he’s pitched yesterday.
Whitney: Smart management will define this series. If they overuse the bullpen, they hand the Cubs a win on a silver platter. Let’s pivot to the other side of the ball. Offense. We talked about Cooper Pratt last week—he had that huge series against the Reds with four RBIs. Can he keep it going?
Terry: Pratt is undeniable right now. That bases-loaded triple was a thing of beauty. But the Cubs have a defense that can scramble. Pratt needs to attack the gaps. If he tries to pull everything, they’ll shift him. He has to use the whole field. And he’s not alone. Brice Turang had that two-run double last night. These two are feeding off each other.
Whitney: Turang is having a fantastic season. His plate discipline is elite. He draws walks, he gets on base, and then he hits behind the runners. It’s classic Brewers baseball. But what about the heart of the order? Christian Yelich. He’s always reliable, but the Cubs pitch well. How do we get him going?
Terry: Yelich needs to stay inside the ball. The Cubs will try to challenge him high and tight. If he swings over those pitches, it’s an easy out. But if he fouls them off, digs in, and waits for his pitch... that’s where the damage happens. He’s got the power to hit to all fields. If the pitcher makes a mistake over the middle, Yelich will punish it.
Whitney: And let’s not forget Jackson Chourio. We predicted he’d drive in runs against the Reds, and while he didn’t quite hit four last night, he’s still the spark plug. The Cubs have to respect him. Every time he steps up, the crowd gets loud. It’s intimidating for pitchers.
Terry: Absolutely. Chourio’s speed creates chaos. Even if he doesn’t hit a home run, if he gets on base and steals second, the Cubs’ catcher has to make a perfect throw. Mistakes happen. That’s how you score runs against a team like Chicago.
Whitney: We’ll see if that chaos translates tonight. Stick with us—we’re taking a quick break, but we’ll be right back to dissect the injuries and the keys to victory.
Whitney: Welcome back. We need to talk about the elephant in the room: injuries. This list is getting longer, not shorter. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Spencer Steer are out for the Reds, which helps us slightly, but look at our own list. Michael Toglia, Blake Dunn, Hunter Greene, Rob Zastryzny, Bryse Wilson, Quinn Priester, Angel Zerpa... and Brandon Woodruff. All on the 60-day IL.
Terry: It’s brutal, Whitney. Losing Woodruff is a massive blow. He’s our frontline starter. Without him, the rotation lacks that consistent innings-eating quality. And losing Greene and Zastryzny hurts the long relief spots. You start to wonder if the front office should have made a deadline move. But we’re here now. We have to work with what we have.
Whitney: It puts more pressure on the catchers. William Contreras, Bo Naylor, Gary Sanchez. Contreras is our primary guy, but if he’s banged up, Naylor has to step up. Do we trust Naylor’s defense behind a young pitcher like Kyle Harrison?
Terry: Naylor has a strong arm. He can control the running game. Against the Cubs, who love to bunt and steal, you need a catcher who can handle a pitcher. Contreras is great offensively, but defensively, Naylor might be the safer bet if Harrison needs help framing pitches. It’s a subtle detail, but in close games, it matters.
Whitney: So, defensive positioning becomes key. If Harrison is vulnerable to the bunt, do we play in?
Terry: Definitely. You bring the infield in. But then you leave the outfield exposed to the deep ball. It’s a chess match. The Cubs’ managers are savvy. They will test every weakness. If you play in, they’ll loft it over the top. If you play back, they’ll bunt. The Brewers have to guess right. And with the bullpen stretched thin, a stolen base could be the difference.
Whitney: That is high-stakes baseball. And it reminds me of our predictions from the last few days. We thought Chourio would deliver a clutch hit, and we thought we’d win the last game. Instead, we got swept in spirit, if not in score, by that Reds onslaught. So, what changes for tonight?
Terry: Mental toughness. You have to reset. Last night was a disaster. But baseball is a game of failure. You fail seven times out of ten, you’re Hall of Fame. The key is not letting one bad night poison the next three. The Cubs are coming in confident too. They know they beat us badly. They’ll play loose.
Whitney: If the Brewers tighten up, if they execute the small things—bunts, shifts, pitching around hitters—they can turn this around. But it requires focus. Absolute focus.
Terry: Focus and execution. Those are the words of the day. And honestly, Whitney, if the offense can score just three runs, and the bullpen holds them to two, we win. It’s that simple. But 'simple' isn't 'easy.'
Whitney: Before we get to our final segment, I want to take a quick moment to ask for your support. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small tip is exactly what keeps this show free and coming to you every single day. Please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It means the world to us and helps us keep bringing you the best coverage.
Whitney: Alright, let’s wrap this up with Segment Three. Keys to the series and a bold prediction. Terry, what is the single biggest key for the Brewers to win this three-game set against the Cubs?
Terry: Bullpen management. I said it before, I’ll say it again. If you win Game One with a complete game or a nine-inning effort, you save your arms. If you blow a lead in the eighth, you burn your closer. The Cubs are a tough out in the late innings. They have power. You cannot give them extra innings. Pitch to contact early. Get outs fast. Save the high-leverage guys for the ninth.
Whitney: Pitch to contact. Aggressive. I like that. What about the offense? How do they counter the Cubs’ pitching?
Terry: Patience. The Cubs’ starters have good stuff. They strike people out. If the Brewers chase early counts, they lose. You have to force the Cubs to throw strikes. Work the count, draw walks, put runners in scoring position. Then, let Yelich, Chourio, and Pratt clean up. It’s about manufacturing runs, not just waiting for a home run.
Whitney: Manufacturing runs. Classic Brewer style. Okay, Terry, give me a bold prediction. Where do we see this series going? Are we taking two of three? Or is the Cubs’ momentum too strong?
Terry: I’m going to go bold. I think the Brewers split the first two and take Game Three. Why? Because home-field advantage matters. Once the crowd gets involved, once Chourio and Turang get hot, the American Family Field roof closes in on the visitors. I predict the Brewers win Game Three in extra innings. A grind-it-out victory.
Whitney: Extra innings! That is bold. I love it. I’ll add this: I think Jackson Chourio hits a walk-off hit in Game Three. He’s due. We talked about his surge, and I think he caps it off tonight.
Terry: Walk-off hit for Chourio. I’ll buy that ticket. He’s got the speed, the power, and the confidence. If the Cubs’ bullpen is tired, he’s going to find a gap. It’s inevitable.
Whitney: There you have it. Split the first two, win the finale with a Chourio heroics. It’s a tall order, but that’s what makes baseball exciting. The Brewers are still first in the division. They have the talent. They just need to execute.
Whitney: To recap: The Brewers face a tough Cubs team tonight, with injuries testing their depth and the bullpen needing careful management. Our advice? Pitch to contact, be patient at the plate, and trust your young arms. If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app. It really helps the show grow.
Terry: Share this with a fellow Brewer fan. Let’s get the word out. We’ll be back tomorrow with a full recap of tonight’s game. Keep your expectations high, but your patience higher.
Whitney: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Go Bucks, Go Brewers, and go Cubs—good luck to everyone. See you tomorrow!