Chicago Cubs welcome Milwaukee Brewers to Wrigley for four-game set

Heading into the Series: Milwaukee Brewers

Record: 16-9

Record (Last 10): 8-2

ERA: 3.27 – 3rd in National League

OBP: .318 – 8th in National League

Team HR: 30 

Team Leader – WAR: Travis Shaw – 1.5 WAR (Baseball Reference)

Talk about a team on a roll. Winners of eight straight contests, Milwaukee comes to Wrigley looking to turn the heat up on their division rival. Behind lights-out starting pitching and a powerful offense, the Brewers have been rolling over the last two weeks.

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Third baseman Travis Shaw is proving 2017 was no fluke. He’s driven in 14 runs so far this year and carries a .919 OPS into Thursday’s opener. With first baseman Eric Thames out with a torn ligament in his thumb, Shaw becomes more important than ever in that Milwaukee lineup.

Last time these two teams met, Christian Yelich battled an injury that kept him out of the lineup. The Cubs won’t be so lucky this time around, though, as the former Miami outfielder is back – and on a tear. He’s hitting .320 this season – and with regular playing time, he could become even hotter.

The starting rotation, which people (myself included) lambasted this offseason, has been pretty solid. They’ve managed to piece things together to this point – with solid results. Brewers starters’ ERA so far this season is more than a full run better than the Cubs’ rotation.