Cubs at Brewers
Javier Baez hopes to return from a three-game absence when the Chicago Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in the second contest of a four-game series. Baez (left thumb) was scratched shortly before Thursday's 10-5 victory as Chicago increased its lead to 3 1/2 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the National League's second wild-card spot.
Kris Bryant (knee) returned after missing one game and went 1-for-3 during a game in which Kyle Schwarber belted a grand slam as the Cubs remained 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. Anthony Rizzo (three RBIs), Ben Zobrist (3-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored) and Willson Contreras (4-for-5, two RBIs) were also part of the club's 16-hit attack. Christian Yelich was hitless in five at-bats for the Brewers, who slipped five games behind the Cubs in the wild-card derby with 23 games remaining. Lorenzo Cain (knee) was 2-for-4 with an RBI in his first start since Aug. 30 but third baseman Mike Moustakas (left hand) failed to start for the seventh time in eight games and second baseman Keston Hiura (hamstring) missed his fifth straight contest.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (7-5 3.69 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (8-7, 3.76)
Hamels lost to the Brewers on Saturday when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings. The 35-year-old has allowed 20 runs (19 earned) over his last 22 innings while serving up five homers during the span. Hamels is 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts against Milwaukee this season and stands 8-4 with a 3.27 ERA in 19 career turns against the Brewers but has allowed three homers to Ryan Braun (13-for-46).
Davies is 0-5 over his last six turns and has allowed 24 runs (23 earned) over 26 2/3 innings during the stretch. The 26-year-old allowed four hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings when matched against Hamels on Saturday but fell an out short of qualifying for the victory. Davies is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA in five starts against the Cubs this season and is 6-7 with a 3.69 ERA over 18 career outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers C Manny Pina departed Thursday's game with what was termed "head discomfort" and is unlikely to start Friday.
2. Chicago placed RHP Craig Kimbrel (elbow) on the 10-day injured list and recalled INF David Bote from Triple-A Iowa.
3. Milwaukee RHP Brandon Woodruff (oblique) threw his third bullpen session Thursday and the club is hoping its top starter will return for the final two weeks of the regular season.