Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs begin weekend series vs Brewers

The Chicago Cubs have stumbled out of the gate in the month of May after locking up a winning record in April for the first time since the 2008 season.

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So far this month, the Cubs only have two wins behind Jon Lester and his solid outings against the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday and the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night. Now with the team dropping three games to the first-place Cardinals, they’ll have a shot at redemption as they visit the Brewers this weekend.

Taking the mound tonight for the Cubs (14-13) will be right-hander Jason Hammel. Hammel (2-1, 3.73 ERA) has been solid against the Brew Crew, allowing just three earned runs on five hits across six innings this past Sunday in a no-decision start. He enters tonight’s contest with a perfect 5-0 record and a 2.20 ERA against Milwaukee and hopes to gain ground behind the Cardinals who currently hold a four-game lead in the division.

Both Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo have been red-hot over the last several games, as both combined for three home runs in their first road trip to St. Louis. They’ll look to continue their hot streaks against a pitcher who was also handed a no-decision this past Sunday in a showdown with Hammel.

Jimmy Nelson (1-2, 4.03 ERA) worked 6 2/3 frames, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts as third baseman Aramis Ramirez would lead Milwaukee to victory. Ramirez, Chicago’s former hot corner man, drilled a solo home run and drove in two go-ahead runs on a bases-loaded single.

He also flashed some serious leather by snagging two hard hit balls that were hit in his direction, helping his team win their first series of the season. Their manager at the time, Ron Roenicke, was relieved of his managing duties after the game wrapped and was replaced by an interim skipper, former Brewer, Craig Counsell.

Milwaukee (9-20) is coming off a tough loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who received a two home run game from catcher Yasmani Grandal. Grandal hit two three-run shots in the top of the eighth and ninth inning, including a RBI single in his final three at-bats of the game.

Here’s a look at tonight’s starting lineups for both teams:

First pitch for tonight’s game is slated for 7:10 pm central time and will be aired live on both CSN and WBBM 780.