Brewers-Cubs Preview (5/16-5/18)

Brewers previews to get you ready for the series where we have five things to watch, pitching matchups and prediction. We add a YouTube video in the mix, it could be really anything.   

Pitching Matchups
Friday:     Kyle Lohse (4-1 2.75) vs. Jeff Samardzija (0-3 1.45)             1:20 pm FSNWI
Saturday: Matt Garza (2-3 4.98) vs. Edwin Jackson (2-3 4.56)              1:20 pm FSNWI
Sunday:   Marco Estrada (3-1 3.28) vs. Travis Wood (3-4 4.91)           1:20 pm FSNWI

Five Things To Watch
1.) Rickie Weeks weekend - If Rickie Weeks spends any time on the bench, it is clearly out of spite from his manager. We already talked a bit in Highlights/Lowlights this morning regarding the Weeks redemption tour. It needs to continue in Chicago. I realize Scooter Gennett is the future second baseman of this team, but right now, Rickie needs to stay in the lineup before the bottom falls out. Honestly with Carlos Gomez out and the way Weeks excelled in the one hole yesterday, he should just stay there until Gomez comes back hopefully on Sunday. Weeks numbers at Wrigley Field are nothing to write home about, but right now, I don't think any of that matters to him.

2.) Scooter to play third or left field? - Let me keep beating this drum. Scooter Gennett told Joe Block he would be open to playing/learning outfield, but no one has asked him yet. I still cannot believe they haven't talked about putting him at third base although Mark Reynolds' defense looks like Brooks Robinson of late yet we cannot expect that to continue all season. He has a .287 average and to keep him out of the lineup with a struggling offense really hurts the team as a whole. The only real way seems to be for Reynolds to play first base and Scooter third base. It will be interesting to see how this storyline progresses in the next couple of weeks.

3.) Carlos Gomez's health - Hopefully, the Sports Illustrated cover jinx is not a real thing in Milwaukee. Even though he is suspended, it really has to do with his back injury right now. It is a weird situation because the Brewers do not have a day off until May 29th meaning the Brewers probably need to be careful with this one especially with the way Gomez plays the game. I will say the offense looks more quiet without Gomez versus where they were without Ryan Braun. And yes, it doesn't help Aramis Ramirez is out of the lineup as well. Speaking of his cover story, this is an AWESOME comment from Gomez.

#RichPeopleConversations RT @nelses1: Carlos Gomez y'all pic.twitter.com/4FPqQLrn2p”
— Jaymes Langrehr (@JaymesL) May 16, 2014

4.) Struggling Cubs but offense is still potent - Chicago is a weird team. They are 13 games under .500, they have lost nine out of their last eleven games, but in the two wins, Chicago scored 12 and 17 runs. They have also been in extras three times during this struggle session for the Cubs. Additionally, eight of the games have been outside The Friendly Confines. I guess what I am trying to say is... Yes I know the Cubs are 13 games under .500 but they have the ability to score runs, keep games close and find ways to win if their bullpen isn't involved so don't be cocky Brewers.

5.) Chicago's weather issues - It is the middle May, we are a week away from Memorial Day weekend so we should be ready to bust out the tanktops, right? Welp the weekend in Chicago looks like complete shit this weekend minus Sunday. 50 percent chance of rain on Friday, 30 percent chance of rain on Saturday. The nice thing is we have two games during the day meaning we could wait out the rain for awhile plus some of us will be working during the first two games as well.

Appropriate YouTube Video


Rickie Weeks' walkup song right now and one of my favorites in the last six months.  It also is getting played in every NBA arena everywhere. 

Prediction 
Brewers need to get off to a good start to a long 10 game road trip. Winners of their last four of five, I am going with they take Saturday and Sunday. The Shark dominates the Crew this afternoon.

Charlie.