Chicago Cubs: Weekend showdown with Milwaukee will decide Central
By Jake Misener
![MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 30: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 30, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 30: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 30, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F09-2F824519924-chicago-cubs-v-milwaukee-brewers-jpg-850x560-641152ba4fafd59133f947dd5fd67163.jpg)
Chicago Cubs: Is a battle of the bats in order?
Over the last week, the Brewers’ bats have been as hot as their pitching – which is really saying something.
Ryan Braun is pushing .400 with a pair of homers and two doubles during that stretch. Young shortstop Orlando Arcia is also swinging a hot bat, batting .375 over his last 16 at-bats. Domingo Santana has three homers and eight RBI in his last five games. In other words, the Brewers’ offense is ready to go toe-to-toe with the Cubs.
Since the All-Star Break, Milwaukee owns the sixth-highest team OPS in the National League. Meanwhile, the Cubs rank fourth. The team also ranks third in on-base percentage, trailing only the league-leading Mets (go figure) and the Cubs.
Travis Shaw’s introduction into the Brewers’ lineup completely changes what this club is capable of, offensively. He’s rapidly approaching the 100-RBI mark on the season. Added into an order that features some top-tier talent (see above), it’s not hard to understand how the club made the Central interesting in 2017.
The bats are a critical part of this series – obviously. But in the end, it’s going to come down to pitching.