Image Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Brewers fans will get another important look at the National League Central race this week when the Chicago Cubs visit American Family Field for a three-game series beginning Sept. 7. Milwaukee enters the homestand with a seven-game division lead, a position that remains comfortable but is not completely secure after a difficult week on the road.
Milwaukee went 3-4 against the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds last week. Despite the uneven stretch, the team’s eight-game advantage entering that trip was reduced by only one game. That cushion gives the Brewers room to maneuver, but the Cubs series could still influence the division race, the playoff picture and the season tiebreaker.
Why the Brewers-Cubs Series Is So Critical
The most immediate objective for Milwaukee is simple: avoid being swept. Even one victory would keep the Brewers in a strong position heading into the weekend, while a series win would provide another major step toward securing the Central title.
Milwaukee also has an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth during the homestand, although doing so during the first two games against Chicago would require several other results to go its way. The more realistic path to a playoff celebration could come later, during the team’s upcoming road trip to Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
The division race is even less likely to be settled immediately. A sweep of Chicago would remove half of the remaining 12 wins needed for Milwaukee to clinch the Central, but the Brewers would still need help from other teams to finish the job at home by Sunday.
Powerful Pitching Matchups Await at American Family Field
The series features three notable matchups, including a rematch between Logan Henderson and Kevin Gausman. Gausman recently limited Milwaukee to a 2-1 victory for Chicago, using his split-finger fastball to keep the lineup off balance.
- Sept. 7: Robert Gasser against Matthew Boyd.
- Sept. 8: Jacob Misiorowski against David Peterson.
- Series finale: Logan Henderson against Kevin Gausman.
Misiorowski has been one of Milwaukee’s biggest pitching stories, entering the series with a 14-5 record and a 1.97 earned-run average. Henderson also brings strong numbers, with a 9-3 record and a 2.48 ERA. Gasser is scheduled to start the opener against Boyd, who owns an 8-3 record and a 4.05 ERA.
Milwaukee has already faced Boyd and Peterson recently. The Brewers scored three runs against Boyd in 5⅓ innings and six runs against Peterson in 3⅔ innings, though Chicago’s bullpen helped preserve victories in both games.
One Win Would Secure the Cubs Tiebreaker
The Brewers are 6-4 against Chicago this season and need only one more victory in the 13-game season series to claim the tiebreaker. That makes Monday’s opener especially valuable. A win would mean Milwaukee could finish the regular-season series tied with the Cubs and still hold the advantage.
That result would also reduce Milwaukee’s effective division magic number from 12 to nine, because the team would no longer need to finish with an outright better record than Chicago. A tie would be enough for the tiebreaker.
Playoff Pressure Builds Around the National League
Milwaukee’s playoff magic number is listed as seven, but the situation is more favorable because Arizona and San Diego are competing around the final National League wild-card position. The Diamondbacks and Padres each entered the week with 68 losses, and they still have a head-to-head series scheduled later in September.
Because one of those teams must take at least two additional losses in that series, Milwaukee effectively needs to finish ahead of only one of them. The Brewers hold the tiebreaker over Arizona but not San Diego, making every win particularly important as the schedule moves deeper into September.
The clearest clinching scenario would involve Milwaukee sweeping Chicago while Arizona is swept by Kansas City. Another possible route would see the Brewers win all three games while both Arizona and San Diego lose at least two of three. If both wild-card contenders are swept, Milwaukee could also clinch with two wins against Chicago.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Remains a Major Threat
Chicago arrives with one of the National League’s most dangerous young stars. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 40th home run Sept. 6 and has posted a .946 OPS, 33 stolen bases and 96 RBIs.
However, Crow-Armstrong has been unusually quiet against Milwaukee. He is batting 4 for 37 against the Brewers this season, a .108 average, with only one extra-base hit. His career numbers against Milwaukee are also modest, with a .164 batting average and a .620 OPS.
That trend could change quickly. Crow-Armstrong recently hit a two-run home run off Henderson, showing how much damage he can do even when he has struggled in the matchup.
Cubs Bullpen Could Decide the Series
Chicago’s bullpen has drawn criticism during a difficult stretch. Since Aug. 20, the Cubs’ relief corps has posted a 5.16 ERA, although that number does not tell the entire story. For the season, Chicago’s bullpen has a 3.98 ERA, which ranks 12th in Major League Baseball.
Aaron Civale has also provided useful length in relief, giving Chicago another option in games when a starter exits early. For Milwaukee, controlling the late innings and avoiding another bullpen-heavy collapse could be decisive.
All three games will be available on Brewers.TV and AM-620 WTMJ radio. Tuesday’s game will also air on Channel 6 in Milwaukee. With the division lead, playoff positioning and tiebreaker all involved, this series carries much more weight than a typical early-September matchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Brewers-Cubs series begin?
The three-game series begins Sept. 7 at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
How many games do the Brewers need to win to secure the Cubs tiebreaker?
Milwaukee needs one victory. The Brewers currently lead the season series, 6-4, and need to reach seven wins in the 13-game matchup.
Can Milwaukee clinch a playoff spot during the series?
Yes, but it requires the Brewers to win multiple games while Arizona and San Diego also lose. A sweep would give Milwaukee its best opportunity.
Who is Chicago’s biggest offensive threat?
Pete Crow-Armstrong is a major threat after reaching 40 home runs, adding 33 stolen bases and producing 96 RBIs. However, he has struggled against Milwaukee this season.
