Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers Picks and Predictions July 22nd 2024

Cubs out to make strides in wild-card race vs. Brewers

The Chicago Cubs are gearing up for a critical three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, with their sights set on gaining ground in the National League wild-card race. Despite a tumultuous first half of the season, the Cubs are just 3 1/2 games behind the final wild-card spot.

The Cubs’ Recent Performance:

After a series of challenging games, the Cubs managed to pull off a crucial win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Entering the ninth inning with only one hit and trailing 1-0, Nico Hoerner’s double was pivotal in tying the game. He later walked with the bases loaded in the 10th inning, securing a walk-off 2-1 victory and breaking an 18-inning scoreless streak for the Cubs.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who previously managed the Brewers, emphasized the importance of each win as the team has little room for error. “We’ve got to win baseball games,” Counsell stated. “Every win is crucial.”

Ups and Downs Leading to the Series:

The Cubs showed promise with a three-game sweep against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles and a split series against the St. Louis Cardinals before the All-Star break. However, their momentum was disrupted by two losses to the Diamondbacks following the break.

Reflecting on their recent road trip, Hoerner expressed confidence and optimism. “That road trip was really impressive and revealed a lot of character about this group,” Hoerner told Marquee Sports Network. “We’ve got another big series coming up—they all are. We’re gonna embrace it and have some fun and go win some ballgames.”

Pitching Matchups:

Javier Assad is set to start for the Cubs in the series opener. Assad, who has a 4-3 record with a 3.27 ERA, struggled in his last outing against the Cardinals, allowing three runs and seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings. However, in three career appearances against the Brewers, he holds a 1-1 record with a 3.00 ERA.

The Brewers will counter with rookie right-hander Tobias Myers, who boasts a 6-3 record and a 3.13 ERA. Myers last pitched on July 10, delivering eight shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His impressive performance this season marks a significant turnaround from last year’s 5.03 ERA over 26 starts for Double-A Biloxi.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised Myers’ unexpected rise to the major leagues. “This kid had no thought he was going to pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers this year,” Murphy said. “He might’ve, but if he’s being honest with himself, he was one of the first guys out of spring training.”

Myers attributes his success to a simple approach. “For me, it means continuing to do what I’ve been doing and that’s just taking it one pitch at a time, one day at a time, not looking too far ahead,” Myers said. “As simple as competing as much as I can every single time I’m out there and giving the team all I have.”

In two starts against the Cubs this year, Myers has struggled, posting a 0-1 record with a 7.00 ERA. This series will be crucial for both teams as they battle for positioning in the playoff race.

Conclusion:

The upcoming series between the Cubs and the Brewers is set to be a high-stakes contest with significant implications for the NL wild-card race. Both teams will be looking to their pitchers to set the tone and their hitters to capitalize on opportunities. As the Cubs aim to close the gap, each game in this series becomes a pivotal moment in their quest for postseason glory.

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