Jon Lester (0-2, 6.23 ERA) and Wily Peralta (0-3, 5.04 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (12-8) and the Milwaukee Brewers (5-17) at Wrigley Field. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 1 and can be seen on FSN-WI and CSN-CHI.
Lester is 0-2 with a 2.93 ERA in his appearances against the Brewers, and goes up against a below-average Milwaukee offense which is batting just .227 this season. Anthony Rizzo (.324, 16 Rs, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday. When pitching against the Cubs, Peralta is 3-4 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts. Adam Lind (.333, 8 Rs, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Brewers, going 2 for 5 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds for Chicago and Milwaukee are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, Chicago has a record of 9-5 SU. The Cubs have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the NL in offense with 4.5 runs per game. Chicago is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 25 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Cubs, who have a team ERA of only 3.71. The Cubs are the third-best team in the NL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 8.0 hits per game to their opponents this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Cubs, who rank second in the NL in strikeouts per game with 9.1.
The Brewers are 5-14 against fellow NL Central members. Offensively, the Brewers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.2 runs per game by averaging 4.1 during that stretch.
The Cubs have a 10-6 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Peralta takes the mound.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Chicago recorded at least two errors for the fourth time this season.
The Cubs are 4-0 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Brewers are 0-1 in such matchups.
The Brewers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cubs have a 2-3 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Brewers are 3-2. The Cubs have a 7-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th, Milwaukee sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 71 this season. Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 89.
Ranking 28th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 43 this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 71.
When the Cubs hit at least one home run, they are 8-1. When the Brewers hit at least one homer, they have a 4-5 record.
