Chicago Cubs get bullpen help for finale against Brewers

The Chicago Cubs will get Joe Nathan in the bullpen on Sunday, but scoring runs against the Brewers is likely to be the biggest concern after falling 6-1 on Saturday night.

The Chicago Cubs haven’t lost a series since the All-Star break, and they’ll need a win today to avoid the Brewers series from being the first. They’ll get some help in the bullpen as Joe Nathan joins the team after coming back from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs optioned Adam Warren to Triple-A Iowa to clear a spot.

The Cubs (58-38) will look to the lefty Jon Lester (10-4, 2.89) to hopefully repeat his last performance in which he went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just one run. Lester said he identified some issues in his delivery and has made the corrections to them. The Cubs are 13-6 in games that he has started.

The Brewers (41-54) will send their surprise rookie–who is 31–Junior Guerra (6-2, 3.06) to the mound against the Cubs veteran 32-year-old. Guerra was grabbed off the waiver wire a day after the season ended and has been the Brewers most impressive, or at least consistent starter. In his only appearance against the Cubs, he allowed three runs over seven innings while striking out a career-high 11.

Dexter Fowler will get the day off in center field as Jason Heyward will slide over. Tommy La Stella will play second and bat in the leadoff spot with Ben Zobrist moving out to right field.

Here are the lineups for today’s series finale:

First pitch is slated for 1:10 p.m. CT at Miller Park. ABC 7 will have the television coverage while 670 The Score will have the radio broadcast. Be sure to check back after the game for our postgame coverage!