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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) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: Travis Shaw #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park on September 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Marlins defeated the Brewers 7-4. (Photo by John Konstantaras/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: Travis Shaw #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park on September 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Marlins defeated the Brewers 7-4. (Photo by John Konstantaras/Getty Images) /

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.

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