Game Thread #45: Milwaukee Brewers (26-18) @ Chicago Cubs (29-18)
The Brewers open their first series against the Cubs with Brandon Sproat on the mound.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 09: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers takes batting practice before game against the New York Yankees at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images The regular season is nearing the two month mark, but the Brewers and Cubs have not played yet this season. That changes tonight as the two teams open the first of four series, which could end up deciding the NL Central.
The season is just over a quarter of the way done, and the National League is starting to split a little. There’s a clear top six teams in the league right now holding on to the playoff spots. Five teams — Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Padres — are within 1 1/2 games of each other right now, and the Brewers are playing three of those teams in the next nine games.
If you count the series against the Padres from last week, they are playing all four of the other teams in a 15-game stretch. It may be too early to win a division or secure a playoff spot, but positioning is still important, even this early in a season. The young rotation will be tested in the next week and a half, and that starts with Brandon Sproat today.
He has improved as the season has progressed, but is still young and has struggled as well. In his last start against the Padres, he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out six.