Game Thread #43: Milwaukee Brewers (24-18) @ Chicago Cubs (21-19)

The Cubs are playing better. The Brewers are playing better. This could be a good series...especially if the Brewers continue to be better. A series win will leave the Cubs 3 behind Milwaukee, and a sweep...well, there'll be dancing in the streets - of Milwaukee, anyways. Unless the rains cancel today's game, then it will be a 2 game set...

Brewer manager Craig Counsell is shuffling the line-up to keep Eric Sogard on the field; he's in left today as Hernan Perez gets a day off. Sogard leads off again, with Jonathan Villar making his first appearance in the three spot. Sogard teams with Eric Thames to give the Brewers a 1-2 Eric punch at the top, and four left handed bats to begin the game.

The Brewers, as you may know, send 10 year minor leaguer Paolo Espino out for his major league debut. He faces Cub reclamation project Eddie Butler, the former Colorado pitcher who had a successful season debut against the Cardinals in his first start. Looking at Butler's career stats away from Coors Field, we have a pitcher who has worked 96 innings, to an xFIP of 4.93. His WHIP is 1.57, with 5.4 K/9, walks at 4.2/9, with 14 homers allowed. His OBP allowed is .368. Here's hoping that Butler shows up.

Line-ups:

Milwaukee Brewers

Chicago Cubs