Former player chooses sides in the Cubs-Brewers rivalry ahead of huge series

Look, when you were a first-round pick of a certain organization and earned all three of your All-Star selections with said team, odds are you're likely to stay pretty loyal - even if you go on to play for five other MLB clubs before hanging up your spikes. Even so, there was no need for Dan Plesac to hit the Chicago Cubs from the top rope last week.

The former 26th overall pick of the Milwaukee Brewers and current MLB Network analyst made it perfectly clear where his loyalties lie ahead of this week's huge five-game series at the Friendly Confines between the top two teams in the National League Central.

In his nearly two-decade-long MLB career, Plesac pitched for Milwaukee, Chicago, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Arizona - but his time with the Brewers and Blue Jays accounted for 12 of his 18 years in The Show. He spent just two seasons on the North Side and the results were less than spectacular: 111 appearances, a 4.68 ERA (his worst with any team) and 10.4 H/9 (also a career-worst with any club).

Meanwhile, opening his career with the Brewers, Plesac was an All-Star annually from 1987 to 1989, establishing himself as a shutdown late-inning arm. One hundred-thirty three of his 158 career saves came with Milwaukee and there's no doubt those were his best years.

Funnily enough, Chicago was his first stop after spending the first seven years of his career in Milwaukee. He signed a two-year, $3.2 million deal ahead of the 1993 season, hoping he could be a stopper at the back of the bullpen. That's not how things played out and after his deal was up, he joined the Pirates on a new two-year pact.

Brewers have dominated the NL Central - and continue to do so in 2025

There's no longer any question, whether we, as Cubs fans, like it or not: the road to the Central runs through Milwaukee. Until Chicago proves its ready to compete at the top of the division and play high-caliber baseball for an entire season, there's no point arguing that fact. The Brewers have gone on a historic run as the Cubs continue to spin their tires - and the standings speak for themselves.

I'd argue respect is on the line as much as anything in this week's five-game stint, which will be played over a four-game span starting Monday. Even a sweep at the hands of the Cubs leave the Brew Crew with breathing room atop the Central. As things currently stand, I can't blame Plesac for sticking to his roots - it seems like a smart move given how the summer has unfolded.