Cubs try to earn split against Braun’s Brewers
Ryan Braun likely won’t capture any votes for this year’s NL MVP award. Yet the Milwaukee star’s play down the stretch definitely mirrors his trophy-winning campaign of 2011.
Slugging a pair of homers to reach the 30 mark for the sixth time, Braun led the Brewers past the Cubs yesterday. Chris Carter added a grand slam in the visitors’ 11-3 rout, while Zach Davies largely tamed another reserve-laden lineup for Joe Maddon. Even Jake Arrieta suffered a rare misstep on the mound, contributing to a wacky matinee on the North Side.
Expect Chicago, which clinched the Central Division a couple of nights ago, to bring back most of its regulars for this afternoon’s series finale. Online sports book Bovada.lv certainly anticipates as much, listing Maddon’s bunch as a 1.5-run favorite. Milwaukee, on the other hand, represents a +220 underdog.
Coming off a no-hit bid that didn’t falter until the ninth inning, Kyle Hendricks draws the assignment of neutralizing Braun. The righty holds an 8-1 record with a 1.33 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. He’s also 5-2 with a 2.01 ERA in nine career clashes against the Brew Crew.
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Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42), having corrected a litany of early-year struggles, goes for Craig Counsell’s team. Most recently, he surrendered three runs in six innings vs. Cincinnati. Peralta’s targeting his first Wrigley Field triumph, though, ever.
The Brewers are 7-11 against Chicago this season. Braun’s September surge should give them a solid chance of claiming the set, but Hendricks is simply too hot at the moment. Expect the Cubbies to bounce back and improve to 53-22 at home.
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