Chicago Cubs: Are the Milwaukee Brewers slugging their way to the top?

After failing to add pitching at the deadline for the second consecutive season, are the Milwaukee Brewers going to ride big bats past the Chicago Cubs?

For those Chicago Cubs fans frustrated at the lack of star power in the team’s deadline moves, things could be worse. Just ask our neighbors up I-94 in Milwaukee.

Last summer, GM David Stearns opted to stick with his group of starters. Of course, Milwaukee largely treaded water down the stretch, going 36-35 in the second half, as the Cubs captured a second-straight National League Central crown.

With that memory still fresh in their minds, the Brewers entered Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline in a similar spot. Milwaukee and Chicago appear destined to go back and forth the rest of the year, as each seeks the top spot in the division. So, the Brewers added an arm, right?

Wrong.

Chicago Cubs: A loaded offense the ticket to October in Milwaukee?

Instead of chasing an ace like Jacob deGrom or even Chris Archer, the Brew Crew went out and added an infielder in Jonathan Schoop. Pair this with the acquisition of Mike Moustakas and you’ve got yourself an interesting scenario.

The team seems content to shift Travis Shaw over to second base, where he had never played before this week. Shaw, of course, played an integral role in the team’s emergence in 2017, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 101 runs. Defensive liability? He could be – but it’s too soon to tell.

Moustakas will also see time at second. That allows manager Craig Counsell to line up an infield of Jesus Aguilar, Travis Shaw, Jonathan Schoop and Mike Moustakas. Young shortstop Orlando Arcia seems to be the odd man out – hardly a surprise, given he’s hitting .196 on the year.

Chicago Cubs: Brewers riding bats and a dominant bullpen to October?

If Nelson can return and pitch up to what he did last season (3.05 FIP, 10.2 K/9, 4.15 SO/BB ratio) – the Brewers will get their late season pitching addition. But, there remains no clear timetable for such a return.

The Kansas City Royals proved you can win by surviving five innings and handing things over to the bullpen a few years back. The Brewers boast one of the best pens in the league, with the third-lowest relief ERA in the NL – anchored by the likes of Corey Knebel and Josh Hader.

You might think the Brewers were moronic in not adding an arm. But, given the roster construction and the talent positionally, they might have just enough in the tank to give the Cubs a serious fight over the final two months.