As the trade deadline approaches, the Brewers face the Chicago Cubs for a series that could influence the outcome the fate of Chicago’s season.

The Cubs sit last in the division, but still within reach of a Wild Card spot. Given the crowded competition for those final playoff spots, this series could ultimately cause the Cubs to sit out of major additions if the Brewers take a commanding series victory.

It’s an opportunity to capitalize on a disappointing opponent, but the Cubs have been playing better lately. That’s part of what drives the narrative home for this potentially playing a role in the Cubs’ deadline plans. Over the past 30 days entering Sunday, according to FanGraphs, the Cubs rank 18th in runs scored and sixth in team ERA. That pitching performance could prove vital to how this three-game set plays out.

Although the Cubs have been hovering around the middle of the pack offensively, Ian Happ is a key performer who has stepped up recently. After a slog of underperformance, Happ has bounced back with a .261/.376/.543 (156 wRC+) slash line that includes 12 doubles and nine home runs since June 1.

Probable Pitcher Matchups

Monday, July 22 @ 7:05 p.m: Tobias Myers (3.13 ERA, 4.16 FIP) vs. Javier Assad (3.27 ERA, 4.51 FIP)

This series has quite a few pitchers starting with ERAs significantly lower than their underlying peripherals suggest, but this could prove to be one of the more fascinating matchups of the week. Tobias Myers’ 3.13 ERA has been vital to the Brewers’ success. His most recent performance was one of his most impressive, an eight-inning shutout against the Pirates. As the season has progressed, he’s been walking fewer batters, giving up fewer home runs, and inducing more groundballs. Will that formula carry over against this Cubs lineup?

Javier Assad hasn’t been the most convincing pitcher, especially in recent weeks. After a solid start to the season, Assad had a 1.49 ERA after nine starts. In eight starts since then, Assad’s 5.59 ERA has been accompanied by a rising walk rate and a growing tally of home runs allowed. He usually doesn’t go deep in games, only pitching at least five innings in four of those nine recent starts.

Tuesday, July 23 @ 7:05 p.m: Colin Rea (3.77 ERA, 4.48 FIP) vs. Jameson Taillon (3.10 ERA, 3.81 FIP)

Colin Rea has been a steady presence for the Brewers this season, working a 9-3 record and a 3.77 ERA. There have been a few unsightly pitching lines, but in his eight most recent starts, he has allowed more than two runs just twice. That’s a model of consistency the Brewers are grateful for as Rea has even tapped into some more strikeouts lately. He doesn’t give away many free passes and he’s done a great job of forcing groundballs, feeding into the team’s defensive strength.

Jameson Taillon might not be an ace, but he’s a practical, effective pitcher when he’s at his best. He has a 3.10 ERA this season, which would be the best mark of his career. Taillon has expertly limited hard contact this season. His 35.6% hard-hit rate is in the 74th percentile, according to BaseballSavant. Taillon made significant improvements to his cutter, his second-most used pitch. The pitch allowed a .521 SLG last year, compared to .267 in 2024.

Wednesday, July 24 @ 1:20 p.m: TBD vs. Justin Steele (3.07 ERA, 3.18 FIP)

Joe Ross hasn’t pitched for the Brewers since May 20, but this could be the time for his return as he wraps up a rehab assignment. Although he isn’t the flashiest pitcher, he had been on a solid run before his injury. In his last four games, he had a 3.18 ERA over 17 innings. Ross had made one appearance this year against the Cubs, going six innings while allowing one run on May 3.

Justin Steele’s 2-4 record is deceptive given his actual performance. Over a nine-game span from May 27 to July 11, Steele pitched to an impressive 1.48 ERA. His most recent start, however, was much less dominant. In 4 ²⁄₃ innings against the Diamondbacks, he allowed five runs. Steele generally doesn’t give up many home runs or even surrender much hard contact, so it will be an important test in the series finale for the Brewers to face one of last year’s Cy Young candidates.

Prediction

The Cubs are at the bottom of the division for a reason. Although they aren’t quite in the “bad” category, they haven’t been the most impressive of the Brewers’ NL Central rivals. Still, they’ve been much better lately. I have more faith in the Brewers offense, but the Cubs bullpen has been the best in baseball over the last 30 days with a 1.86 ERA. If Milwaukee’s offense can’t create many leads, it could lead to a coin flip of a series. With that said, I think the overall quality of Milwaukee’s team is slightly higher, leading to a 2-1 series victory.

After the Bucks added Gary Trent Jr. last week, we thought we’d do them one better and add a new face to our team too! We’d like to welcome Jack Trehearne as our newest contributor, who comes to us from a Land Down Under (don’t worry, the only plundering Jack does is of Raptors shooting guards) and is a former member of the Eastern Mavericks of the NBL1. That’s right: he’s a certified hooper. and we’re excited to have him aboard. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming him to the site and are looking forward to his content to come! Let’s let him introduce himself…

G’day Bucks fans! Sorry, you just know I had to start with some cheesy Aussie slang. I recently graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Professional Writing. I have formerly written for my university’s publication On The Record, Racing and Sports, as well as for my own Bucks-related blog from time to time. I am super excited to be joining the awesome team at Brew Hoop and have been welcomed with open arms. Thanks so much and Fear The Deer!

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The Republican National Convention was forecasted to have $200 million economic impact on Milwaukee

The balloons dropped. The delegates arrived and left with souvenirs along with promises to return to Milwaukee. Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed mission accomplished, “We were able to elevate Milwaukee,” he said in a post-convention interview with the Journal Sentinel.

Even the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, noted the huge economic impact of hosting the convention on Milwaukee, quipping during his acceptance speech Thursday night that he was “trying to buy” Wisconsin’s vote. He put the impact at $250 million, though the official estimate is $200 million. The actual numbers will be closely scrutinized in the weeks and months to come with reports of disappointing sales from some downtown businesses.

As life downtown slowly returns to normal and we stop seeing Milwaukee and RNC on national news, we’d like your take on the convention and it’s impact on Milwaukee. This is not a question about the politics of the event. Indeed, the standard line from event organizers was that the RNC wasn’t about blue or red, but green.

We will begin posting your feedback as soon as grades start rolling in:

A big thanks to readers who have weighed in throughout the week about the convention, including:

Donald Trump’s acceptance speech: Rambling mess of falsehoods. I liked all of it! God spared this man for us!

The selection of J.D. Vance for VP: A Trump clone. Much-needed youth.

Your mood heading into the convention: Here is what you are most looking forward to, and dreading, about the RNC

Reaction to an attempted assassination: How you’re feeling after Saturday’s Trump rally shooting