Fowler returns as Chicago Cubs begin road trip in Milwaukee

Following their series win over the New York Mets, the Chicago Cubs wrapped their first homestand of the second half with a winning record. Now they find themselves on the road for a brief trip starting in Milwaukee against division rival Brewers.

In case you missed it, Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo was on fire against Bartolo Colon and the team that had swept them twice dating back to last year during the National League Championship Series.

Rizzo hammered two home runs off New York’s veteran right-hander as the Cubs (57-37) cruised to a 6-2 victory. This team has been playing excellent baseball since returning from the All-Star break and to top it off, the front office pulled the trigger on a huge trade that gives this bullpen a much-needed boost.

They acquired southpaw Mike Montgomery and a minor league pitcher in exchange for Paul Blackburn and Dan Vogelbach.

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Not only will Montgomery join the Cubbies in Milwaukee, so will outfielder Dexter Fowler who has spent some time on the disabled list after suffering a hamstring injury.

Both men will be looking to help out tonight’s starter, Jason Hammel, who has been eating plenty of potato chips. Hammel (8-5, 3.34 ERA) needs to get things going with the St. Louis Cardinals cutting into Chicago’s division lead.

In his previous outing, Jason held the Texas Rangers to one earned run on three hits while issuing one walk, and recording seven strikeouts in six innings of work to pick up his first win since June 4th against the Diamondbacks.

He’ll be squaring off against Brewers’ (40-53) 27-year-old right-hander, Jimmy Nelson who pitched exceptionally well in his last outing against the Cubs. Nelson (6-7, 3.39 ERA) has limited Chicago to one earned run on seven hits while posting an 11/8 K/BB ratio in 12 2/3 innings of work.

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This will be his fourth start against National League Central opponents this month. So far, he has held his own against the Cincinnati Reds and Cardinals, sitting with a 2.37 earned run average in July.

Hopefully, the Cubs will continue to play great baseball and not allow him to get ahead in the count while capitalizing with runners in scoring position. First pitch for tonight’s contest is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. central time and will air live on CSN+, 670 The Score.

Starting lineups: