The Milwaukee Brewers are set to begin a long stretch of games against NL Central foes, as they’ll start with four games against the Cubs at Wrigley. The Brewers, who sit at 85-52, are currently firmly in first place in the division, with an eight-game lead over the 77-60 Cubs. The Crew has won five consecutive series to build on their lead, while the Cubs have lost three straight series to the Mariners, D-backs, and Reds.
On the injury front, reliever Abner Uribe is expected to return for this series after missing the last couple of weeks with a right forearm flexor strain. Not far behind him is left-handed reliever JoJo Romero, who joined Uribe on his recent rehab assignment after an appendectomy in mid-July. Brandon Woodruff is still unexpected to return this year, though it’s possible he makes it back in a later postseason series, while Rob Zastryzny and Joel Kuhnel both have TBD returns. Brian Fitzpatrick, Quinn Priester, and Angel Zerpa are all out for the season.
Chicago is without shortstop Dansby Swanson (mid- to late September return), as well as a whole bunch of pitchers. That group includes Edward Cabrera (September), Justin Steele (potentially September, but in a relief role), Shelby Miller (potentially September), Ben Brown (September, though recently pulled off rehab assignment), Phil Maton (TBD), Hunter Harvey (TBD), Gavin Hollowll (September), Riley Martin (out for season), Cade Horton (out for season), and Porter Hodge (out for season).
Milwaukee’s offense is led by Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras, and Garrett Mitchell, who have pretty consistently made up the top few spots in the order. Christian Yelich has slid down in the order but has played well lately, while Andrew Vaughn and Joey Ortiz have both quietly been consistent of late. Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, Gary Sánchez, Luis Lara, and David Hamilton all play regularly, too. As a team, Milwaukee is hitting .255/.338/.397 (.735 OPS ranks fifth), with 126 homers (last), 683 runs scored (third), and 135 steals (tied for fourth)
Pete Crow-Armstrong is turning in an MVP season, as he’s hitting .283/.377/.577 with 38 homers, 91 RBIs, 99 runs, and 32 steals. Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Alex Bregman, and Michael Busch are all regular contributors offensively, while Nico Hoerner is having a bit of a down year but is still hitting .263/.318/.356. Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya share catching duties, and Michael Conforto is also in the outfield/DH mix. Pedro Ramírez, Matt Shaw, Tyrone Taylor, and Gabriel Arias round things out. As a team, Chicago is hitting .251/.339/.428 (.767 OPS ranks first), with 187 homers (third), 725 runs scored (first), and 101 steals (10th).
On the mound, Aaron Ashby, Trevor Megill, and the soon-to-return Uribe lead the bullpen. Ashby has a 3.24 ERA and 13 wins, spanning 75 innings with 104 strikeouts. Megill leads the team with 25 saves and sports a 2.24 ERA, while Uribe has been even better with a 2.05 ERA. Chad Patrick, DL Hall, Bryse Wilson, Antonio Senzatela, and Grant Anderson (who is more than likely the odd man out upon Uribe’s return) round things out. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.37 team ERA (second), including a 3.46 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.25 bullpen ERA (third). They’ve struck out 1,320 batters (second) across 1,225 2/3 innings.
Jacob Webb leads Chicago’s bullpen with 60 appearances, sporting a 2.87 ERA and team-high nine saves in 15 chances. Daniel Palencia has dealt with injuries and honestly hasn’t been all that good when on the field, with a 4.19 ERA over 19 1/3 innings, though he is 3-for-3 in save chances. Ryan Zeferjahn, acquired from the Angels at the deadline, has struggled with a 5.79 ERA over 9 1/3 innings, as has Caleb Thielbar (4.97 ERA). Ryan Rolison (2.79 ERA over 51 2/3 innings), Trent Thornton (3.45 ERA over 44 1/3 innings), and old friend Aaron Civale (1.54 ERA over 23 1/3 innings) have all been solid, and fellow old friend Colin Rea (4.48 ERA over 126 2/3 innings) has worked in a starter/long-relief swing role. As a staff, the Cubs have a 4.14 team ERA (14th), including a 4.32 starter ERA (18th) and a 3.90 bullpen ERA (12th). They’ve struck out 1,057 batters (26th) over 1,224 2/3 innings.
Probable Pitchers
Monday, August 31 @ 6:40 p.m.: LHP Kyle Harrison (10-3, 2.79 ERA, 3.29 FIP) vs. RHP Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.26 ERA, 3.35 FIP)
Harrison continues to impress in his first season in Milwaukee, with a 10-3 record, 2.79 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 127 strikeouts across 103 1/3 innings. He took a no-decision in Milwaukee’s extra-innings loss to the Mets last week, working five innings with one run allowed on six hits and a walk, striking out five. Harrison has made three appearances against Chicago, totaling 13 innings with a 1.38 ERA and 22 strikeouts. That includes a pair of starts while with Milwaukee this year, spanning 12 innings with two runs allowed and 20 strikeouts.
Holmes, 33, is one of Chicago’s deadline acquisitions, coming over from the Mets. He’s made four starts in a Cubs uniform, spanning 23 innings with a 1.96 ERA, 3.69 FIP, and 10 strikeouts. The veteran right-hander went seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the D-backs his last time out, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out five. Holmes, a former longtime Pirate, has made 18 appearances (two starts) against Milwaukee, with a 1-3 record, 5.96 ERA, and 24 strikeouts across 25 2/3 innings.
Tuesday, September 1 @ 6:40 p.m.: LHP Robert Gasser (4-5, 4.59 ERA, 4.44 FIP) vs. LHP Matthew Boyd (8-3, 3.99 ERA, 4.67 FIP)
This spot, originally Dustin May’s, has now flip-flopped with Gasser after Gasser stepped in to finish out May’s start against the Mets last week when May exited after just one pitch (he was alright and started in Sunday’s series finale against the Rangers). For the season, Gasser is 4-5 with a 4.59 ERA, 4.44 FIP, and 78 strikeouts across 82 1/3 innings. He stepped in nicely in that game against the Mets, going 5 1/3 innings with one run allowed on six hits and two walks, striking out six to earn the win. Gasser’s lone start against the Cubs came back in 2024, when he went six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in a no-decision.
Boyd, 35, was an All-Star for the first time in his career last season, but he’s taken a slight step back while dealing with injuries in 2026. Across 17 starts this year, he’s 8-3 with a 3.99 ERA, 4.67 FIP, and 76 strikeouts over 97 frames. The left-hander has taken the loss in two of his last three starts (the third start was a no-decision in a game the Cubs would lose in extra innings), allowing 13 runs (12 earned) over 17 1/3 innings against the Cardinals, Mariners, and D-backs. Boyd has made five career starts against Milwaukee, going 2-2 with a 9.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 23 innings. That includes one win and one loss last season, when he allowed nine runs over 10 1/3 innings.
Wednesday, September 2 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (14-5, 1.73 ERA, 2.14 FIP) vs. LHP David Peterson (7-7, 5.11 ERA, 4.05 FIP)
Misiorowski, who is now just a few weeks away from officially wrapping up what appears to be an NL Cy Young-winning season, is 14-5 this year, with a 1.73 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and 222 strikeouts over 151 innings. He hasn’t shown quite as much swing-and-miss stuff in his last few outings but he’s still keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard, as he’s totaled 18 innings with three runs allowed (1.50 ERA) and 18 strikeouts in wins against the Dodgers, Braves, and Mets. Misiorowski has made four starts against the Cubs, going 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 20 frames. That includes a pair of wins this year, as he’s totaled 12 innings with just one run allowed and 16 strikeouts.
Peterson, who turns 31 on Thursday, is a former long-time Met who was acquired by the Cubs in late June. While his season numbers aren’t great, he’s been better with the Cubs, pitching to a 3.90 ERA, 4.31 FIP, and 46 strikeouts across 55 1/3 innings in 11 appearances (10 starts). He’s taken a no-decision in each of his last two appearances, spanning 11 innings with four runs allowed and 14 strikeouts against the Mariners and Reds. Peterson has faced Milwaukee seven times in his career (six starts), going 4-1 with a 3.44 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 34 frames. That includes a win in his Cubs debut back in June, tossing 5 2/3 innings with two runs allowed and two strikeouts.
Thursday, September 3 @ 6:15 p.m.: RHP Logan Henderson (9-2, 2.48 ERA, 3.29 FIP) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (8-11, 4.52 ERA, 3.60 FIP)
Henderson continues to impress in his rookie season, as he’s now made 14 starts with a 9-2 record, 2.48 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 86 strikeouts across 76 1/3 innings. He picked up his third straight win against the Rangers on Friday night, going seven innings with one run allowed (a solo homer) and allowing no other baserunners with seven strikeouts. This would mark Henderson’s first career appearance against Chicago.
Gausman, 35, is another deadline acquisition of the Cubs, joining them from the Blue Jays. The 14-year veteran has made five starts with Chicago, with a 3-1 record, 5.14 ERA, 4.08 FIP, and 29 strikeouts over 28 innings. He’s had two rough outings (five innings with five earned runs against the Reds and 4 2/3 innings with six earned runs against the Nationals) but also two solid seven-inning outings (no runs against the D-backs, two runs against the Royals), so it just depends which version shows up. Gausman has made eight career appearances (six starts) against Milwaukee, going 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA and 46 strikeouts across 40 2/3 innings. That includes a no-decision while with the Blue Jays earlier this year, when he went five frames and allowed three runs with five strikeouts.
How to Watch & Listen
Monday, August 31: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, September 1: Brewers TV and nationally on TBS; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, September 2: Brewers TV and nationally on MLB Network; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Thursday, September 3: Exclusively televised nationally on Fox/Fox One; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
This is a big series for both squads, and the pitching matchups tell the story. Give me a series split.
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