Milwaukee Brewers (27-19) at Chicago Cubs (29-18) | Wrigley Field | 6:40 PM CT / 7:40 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs (29–18 after blowing a 3-run lead in Sunday’s 9–8 loss) host the Milwaukee Brewers (27–19, 1.5 games back!) at Wrigley Field for the series opener. We’re licking our wounds after Edgar Quero’s walk-off 2-run homer in the 10th ended the Crosstown Classic Sunday. Shota Imanaga (4-3, 2.32 ERA, 59 Ks – 3rd in NL!) starts in this HUGE series!
This is the first meeting since the 2025 NLDS (Brewers beat us 3-2!)—can we bounce back at Wrigley?
Sunday’s Heartbreak: White Sox Won 9-8 in 10 Innings
Sunday’s Crosstown Classic rubber match was BRUTAL. We led the entire game, up 8-5 heading into the 8th inning, then the bottom fell out. The White Sox rallied to tie it in the 8th, then Edgar Quero hit a 2-run walk-off homer in the 10th to give them a 9-8 win and the series!
What Went Wrong:
- Led 8-5 heading into the 8th inning
- Bullpen collapsed: Blew the 3-run lead
- Edgar Quero: 2-run homer in 10th (walk-off!)
- Lost the series 2-1 to the White Sox
- Bullpen concerns are REAL
The loss stings but we’re 29-18 and still in first place! Time to bounce back against the Brewers!
Cubs Season: 29-18, First Place in NL Central
Record: 29-18 (Eleven Games Over .500, Lost Series to White Sox)
We’re 29–18 and in FIRST PLACE in the NL Central, 1.5 games ahead of Milwaukee heading into this HUGE series! We’ve had TWO 10-game win streaks this season (first time since 1935!) but lost 3 of our last 4 series (Rangers, Braves, White Sox).
Key Stats:
- 52 home runs (6th in MLB)
- .248 batting average
- Ian Happ: 9 HRs, career year
- Alex Bregman: Veteran leadership
Shota Imanaga Tonight:
- 4-3, 2.32 ERA, 59 strikeouts (3rd in NL!)
- OUR ACE! (2.84 FIP)
- BUT: 1-3, 5.73 ERA vs Brewers (4 career starts!)
- Brewers have HAD SUCCESS against him
This is a HUGE start for Imanaga against a team that’s hit him well!
Milwaukee Brewers: 27-19, 1.5 Games Back!
Record: 27-19 (Eight Games Over .500, 1.5 Games Back in NL Central!)
The Brewers are 27–19 and just 1.5 games behind us in the NL Central! They’re coming off a series win in Minnesota and have won 3 straight series (Yankees, Padres, Twins). This is the first meeting since the 2025 NLDS where they beat us 3-2!
Brewers Strengths:
- 27-19 record (red-hot!)
- 1-3, 5.73 ERA advantage (Imanaga’s struggles vs them!)
- First meeting since 2025 NLDS (beat us 3-2!)
- Playing at Wrigley but they’ve had success here
Brewers Injuries:
- Quinn Priester (early June)
- Brandon Woodruff (late May)
- Rob Zastryzny (late May)
- Jared Koenig (late May/early June)
- Angel Zerpa (out for season)
What We’re Facing:
- Brewers 1.5 games back (HUGE series!)
- They’ve had success vs Imanaga
- First meeting since they beat us in 2025 NLDS
- They’re hot (won 3 straight series!)
The Brewers are DANGEROUS and this series is HUGE for the division race!
Key Matchups at Wrigley Field
Shota Imanaga (2.32 ERA) vs Brewers (5.73 ERA Against!)
Imanaga is OUR ACE but the Brewers have HAD SUCCESS against him (5.73 ERA in 4 starts!). Can he bounce back at Wrigley?
Cubs Offense vs Brewers Pitching
We need to score runs and support Imanaga! Bounce back from Sunday’s heartbreak!
Bounce Back from Crosstown Loss
Blew a 3-run lead in the 8th Sunday (lost 9-8 in 10). Bullpen concerns are REAL. Fix it tonight!
NL Central Race
29-18 vs 27-19. 1.5-game lead. This series is HUGE for the division!
What the Cubs Need at Wrigley Field
Shota Imanaga Dominates
Imanaga has a 2.32 ERA but Brewers have hit him (5.73 ERA in 4 starts). Bounce back at Wrigley!
OFFENSE SUPPORTS IMANAGA
We need runs! Don’t waste another Imanaga start! Support our ace!
BULLPEN BOUNCES BACK
Blew a 3-run lead in the 8th Sunday. The bullpen concerns are REAL. Fix it tonight!
Protect Home Field
29-18, first place, 1.5 games ahead. Win tonight and extend the lead!
Cubs Fan Prediction: We Bounce Back!
Final Score: Cubs 5, Brewers 3
Shota Imanaga DOMINATES at Wrigley—7 innings, 3 runs. Bounces back from his struggles vs the Brewers!
Our offense supports Imanaga! Ian Happ goes deep. Michael Conforto drives in runs. We score 5 at Wrigley!
The Brewers score 3 but our bullpen HOLDS ON. We bounce back from Sunday’s heartbreak!
Two-run win. We’re 30–18, TWELVE GAMES OVER .500. 2.5-game lead in the NL Central!
Why Tonight Matters
We’re 29–18 after blowing a 3-run lead in the 8th Sunday (lost 9-8 in 10 to White Sox). The Brewers are 27–19, just 1.5 games back! This is the first meeting since the 2025 NLDS (they beat us 3-2!). Imanaga (2.32 ERA) has struggled vs Milwaukee (5.73 ERA in 4 starts!).
Win tonight and we’re 30–18 with a 2.5-game lead in the NL Central! Bounce back from Sunday’s heartbreak and protect home field!
Can Imanaga bounce back vs Milwaukee? Will our bullpen hold a lead? Can we extend our division lead?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 30–18 and staying ahead of Milwaukee would keep us on track for October!
Go Cubs Go. Bounce back from the Crosstown heartbreak and beat Milwaukee!