Kyle Hendricks can help lower Cubs magic number by sweeping Brewers

With the magic number sitting at three, right-hander Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs enter tonight’s game having the opportunity to complete the three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Not only would a three-game sweep give this club some much-needed momentum heading into this Friday’s weekend series against the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates, but it’ll drop that magic number down to two games.

Hendricks (7-6, 4.22 ERA) was off to a great start to begin the month of September but hit a bit of a wall in his previous outing while visiting the Pirates at PNC Park last Thursday.

In only three innings of work, Pittsburgh tagged him for three earned runs on six hits including three big flies but was bailed out by a huge six-run fifth inning in the 9-6 win.

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He’s currently 1-1 with a 6.09 earned run average and 34/14 K/BB ratio in his previous outings for Joe Maddon. Hendricks is going to need to step it up tonight for the Cubs (89-62) who could clinch a playoff berth either tomorrow or Friday.

Zach Davies (1-2, 6.00 ERA) made his big league debut at the beginning of the month and will make his first Wrigley Field appearance as a member of the Brewers (63-88) opposite Kyle.

The 22-year-old right-hander has surrendered up 14 earned runs on 19 hits but has only given up two home runs. If he isn’t careful, Davies could end up having a short night.

First pitch is slated for another 7:05 p.m. central start time and will air live on CSN, WBBM 780 A.M.

Here’s a look at tonight’s starting lineup’s for both club’s:

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