Brewers-Cubs Preview: The Quest for .500 (and second place)

Well, the Brewers manhandled the Astros for last-weekends battle of .500 and have a series with the Cubs coming up. While this series has absolutely no playoff implications, the Brewers have a chance to get back to or over .500 and if they sweep the Cubs they will pass them to get up to second place.

Brewers 74-75 vs. Cubs 76-72

Monday:

Gorzelanny 5-2 5.29 era 81 ERA+ vs. Looper 13-6 4.89 era 86 ERA+

The Brewers first chance to get back to .500. Again, this is strictly a match-up for pride and to at least salvage a .500 or better record out of the season. Also, it's another chance to see if Braden Looper can creep his way up the single-season leader board for home runs allowed. Coming into this start he has allowed 35 which is good enough to be tied for 79th all time.

Tuesday

Wells 10-9 3.06 era 143 ERA+ vs. Bush 5-7 5.88 era 71 ERA+

Out of the three games this series, the Brewers probably have the worst chance in this one. Bush hasn't exactly had a great year and I doubt that Wells is going to have a second consecutive bad start.

Wednesday

Lilly 12-8 3.02 era 145 ERA+ vs. Narveson 1-0 4.22 era 100 ERA+

This game is another audition for Chris Narveson to see how well he holds up as a starter as he's pretty much playing for a job in the 2010 rotation. He pitched well against Houston Friday night. So far, he's done a relatively decent job. If he can keep pitching well consistently and stretch out longer than 5 innings the Brewers may have a surprise player on their hands for 2010.