Brewers eye NL Central lead against Cubs
The Milwaukee Brewers will have an opportunity to climb into first place in the National League Central when they continue their series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
Milwaukee opened the rivalry matchup with a convincing 9-3 victory Monday, moving within a half-game of Chicago in the division standings during the clubs’ first meeting since the Brewers eliminated the Cubs in last year’s National League Division Series.
The Brewers are expected to send right-hander Jacob Misiorowski to the mound as the 24-year-old continues an impressive second MLB season.
Misiorowski enters the game with a 3-2 record and a 2.12 ERA and has not allowed a run in any of his three starts this month. In his most recent outing against the San Diego Padres, he struck out 10 batters across seven scoreless innings in a game Milwaukee eventually lost 3-1.
The hard-throwing pitcher also showcased elite velocity during that appearance, throwing 40 pitches at 100 mph or faster. His final pitch of the game reached 103.2 mph during a strikeout of Nick Castellanos.
Despite leaving the game because of a leg cramp, Misiorowski said he expects no lingering issues heading into the matchup with Chicago.
“Nothing we haven’t seen before, but it’ll be fine. I’ll be ready to go,” Misiorowski said. “I felt like I was in a good spot to keep rolling (against San Diego), but it is what it is. Everything was working. It really clicked.”
Misiorowski has recorded 21 strikeouts over his last two starts and is tied with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez for the Major League lead with 80 strikeouts this season.
Although he holds a 5.63 ERA in two regular-season starts against Chicago, he dominated the Cubs during last year’s NLDS, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.29 ERA.
Chicago, meanwhile, continues searching for answers on the mound after allowing at least eight runs in three consecutive games. The Cubs have lost seven of their last nine contests and are now facing the possibility of dropping a fourth straight series.
The Cubs will counter with Ben Brown, who is transitioning back into a starting role after working primarily as a reliever.
Brown owns a 1-1 record with a 1.60 ERA this season and has impressed in his last two starts against Texas and Atlanta, throwing eight scoreless innings while allowing only one hit, striking out 10 batters, and issuing just two walks.
“Ben had a really encouraging outing and an important outing,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “What Ben has done in both his starts has really given us something that we feel we can build on. It’s given him a lot of confidence, for sure.”
Injuries to starting pitchers Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Justin Steele forced Brown back into the rotation after he struggled in that role last season, posting a 6.30 ERA across 15 starts.
Brown said the difficulties he experienced in 2025 helped reshape his approach entering the current season.
“I think last year’s failures have helped get to where I want to be,” Brown said. “I have 10 years in professional baseball, so I have a lot of experience, relatively. I’ve just been learning how to be a good pitcher and a good teammate.”
Brown has enjoyed success against Milwaukee in limited appearances, compiling a 2-0 record and a 1.00 ERA in two career starts versus the Brewers.
