Brewers' shocking Opening Day injury news raises stakes for Cubs immediately

As the Chicago Cubs navigate an ominous weather forecast at Wrigley Field for Opening Day against the Washington Nationals, the Milwaukee Brewers are suddenly facing shocking injury news. Ahead of their opener against the Chicago White Sox, the Brewers have placed outfielder Jackson Chourio on the 10-day IL.

Chourio was hit by a pitch during the World Baseball Classic with Team Venezuela, and while Thursday's news comes as a surprise, Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed the 22-year-old outfielder has been feeling some pain upon his return to spring training.

Jackson Chourio's injury is the opportunity the Cubs may have been waiting for.

The indication is that the Brewers caught the fracture early enough to avoid a more severe injury. While Murphy did not provide an exact timeline for Chourio's return, the expectation is that he could be sidelined for 2-4 weeks.

As for the initial plan, Christian Yelich will see more time in the outfield. Chourio's arrival over the last two years has allowed the Brewers to move Yelich to the DH spot in the starting lineup, opting to preserve his health. Last season, Yelich only played 19 games in left field. Jake Bauers is also expected to get an extended runway in the outfield while Chourio is sidelined.

Divisions can't be won during the first month of the regular season, but they certainly can be lost. After the offseason the Cubs have had, there's no question that they have positioned themselves as the favorites in the National League Central.

The problem for the Cubs is that they have seen this act before. The Cubs have often entered the season with a better roster than the Brewers, but by the end of the year, Milwaukee always found a way at the top of the division.

If there was a season for the Brewers' voodoo magic to disappear, it would be this one. They traded Freddy Peralta to the Milwaukee Brewers, and also chose to sell high on third baseman Caleb Durbin in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. Losing Chourio for the first few weeks of the regular season won't change the idea that this could be the year that the Cubs finally move past Milwaukee.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, Chourio should be back well in time for their first series against the Brewers on May 18. Chourio tormented the Cubs' pitching staff last October, which highlights the importance of Chicago stacking as many victories in April as they can.