Cubs at Brewers
The Chicago Cubs have endured their share of offensive struggles early in the season, but former National League MVP Kris Bryant is pulling his weight. Bryant looks to stay hot as the Cubs face the host Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series.
Bryant went 3-for-5 with a homer in Chicago’s 5-2 win on Saturday, raising his average to .364 – highest among the team’s everyday players. The Cubs won two of the first three games of the series, which has had two straight contests decided in the final inning. Milwaukee missed injured closer Corey Knebel (hamstring) on Saturday, as Chicago rallied for four runs in the ninth with the help of the Brewers’ sloppy defense. “This is fun baseball,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters. “You enjoy it. It was a great ballgame, an entertaining game. We didn't make a couple plays in the end and they didn't make a couple plays that almost cost them. We'll come back tomorrow."
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (0-0, 3.60)
Quintana’s season debut consisted of five strong innings and one disastrous one – a five-run fifth – in a loss at Miami. The 29-year-old Colombian was hurt by an uncharacteristic four walks – he averages 2.4 per nine frames in his career – thanks to a tight strike zone. Quintana has dominated the Brewers in four career meetings, going 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA.
Anderson was excellent on Opening Day, picking up where he left off in last year’s breakout season with six innings of one-hit ball at San Diego. The 30-year-old only last four frames in his second turn as he surrendered three home runs in a no-decision against St. Louis. Anderson is 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has missed two straight games with tightness in his lower back and might not be in a hurry to rush back to the lineup as he is 1-for-12 with three strikeouts lifetime against Anderson.
2. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw is 1-for-14 with four strikeouts versus Quintana.
3. Bryant (6-for-15, three homers) and 2B/OF Ben Zobrist (7-for-14, two) have hit Anderson hard.