Cubs at Brewers
The first team to score Thursday will breathe a sigh of relief when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Chicago Cubs. The National League Central rivals both are coming off shutout losses – two straight for the Cubs – heading into the four-game series.
The Brewers won four of their first five behind a strong offense, but they were blanked 6-0 on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game set against St. Louis. Milwaukee collected 19 extra-base hits in its first five games before managing just five singles in the shutout loss. The Cubs haven’t scored since Saturday, as they were blanked 6-0 at Miami on Sunday and 1-0 at Cincinnati the following day before being rained out on Tuesday. Chicago has scored 18 runs in its two wins and one in its three losses, including a 17-inning game.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (0-0, 8.10 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Brent Suter (1-0, 5.40)
Lester struggled on Opening Day against the Marlins, lasting only 3 1/3 innings after allowing four runs - three earned - and seven hits. The 34-year-old is a notoriously slow starter, as he’s 15-17 in March and April and has a winning record in every other month. Lester is 3-2 with a 2.77 ERA in six career starts against the Brewers.
Suter won his season debut Friday at San Diego, allowing three runs and five hits over five innings. The 28-year-old has been tough at home throughout his career, going 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA in 20 games (eight starts) at Miller Park. He’s 1-0 with a 3.14 ERA in six outings (two starts) against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee LF Christian Yelich left Wednesday’s game with discomfort in his right oblique and is likely to miss at least the first game of the series.
2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, who is batting .130 with six strikeouts, is 0-for-8 versus Suter.
3. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw has hit safely in each of the team’s first six games.