Game Thread #135: Milwaukee Brewers (68-66) @ Chicago Cubs (73-61)

The Brewers started a critical week-plus of games by getting punched in the face by the Cubs in the first inning Friday afternoon and never recovered, limping (quite literally, in the case of Keston Hiura) to a 7-1 loss in the series’ first game.

They’ll try to gain back some confidence and a game in the wildcard race this afternoon. In order to do that, they’ll need Zach Davies to pitch more like the Zach Davies from early in the season instead of the one that’s struggled mightily in his last five starts.

That stretch has included back-to-back disastrous outings against the Cubs, allowing 7 runs over 5 innings on July 28th and 4 runs in 4 innings on August 2nd.

He’ll face off against Cole Hamels, who has dominated the Brewers this year, holding them to just 3 earned runs in 18 innings over 3 starts.

Before the game, the Brewers put Hiura on the injured list and optioned Devin Williams to get some healthy bodies on offense, recalling Ben Gamel and Travis Shaw.

First pitch at Wrigley Field is 1:20 p.m. CDT.