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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 – JULY 29: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the fourth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 29, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 29: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the fourth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 29, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Brewers’ young arms proving a tall task

This season, Milwaukee starters have limited opponents to a .260 average – the sixth-lowest mark in the league. The staff also owns the fifth-best earned run average among National League rotations.

In Thursday’s opener, the Cubs face 17-game winner Zach Davies. He’s faced Chicago three this season, pitching well each time out. On July 6, he picked up the win, tossing six innings of two-run ball at Wrigley. His last time, during the Brewers’ three-game sweep of the Cubs in early September, he turned in seven innings of one-run ball.

Brandon Woodruff, who will make just his seventh start of the season, toes the slab Friday. He has never faced Chicago in his career, but he’s been effective since taking over a spot in the rotation. Milwaukee rounds out the series with left-hander Brent Suter Saturday and Chase Anderson in the finale.

Anderson owns a minuscule 2.74 ERA this year for the Brewers in 23 games. He’s been a mixed bag against Chicago this season, but in early September, he turned in five shutout frames on the road.

Next: Russell is better than you might remember - and he's back

The simple story is this: Milwaukee has all the talent in the world in this rotation. It’s up to the Cubs to learn from their mistakes two weeks ago and make the necessary adjustments.

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