![MLB: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers](https://www.wisconsinsports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/usa_today_23644358.5.jpg)
Brewers energized in rivalry series
The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves running with a five-game winning streak courtesy of another spectacular moment from Jackson Chourio.
After Chourio’s game-changing grand slam in last night’s win, the team finds itself on the verge of winning another division series. Their potential series-clinching game comes Saturday afternoon with a lineup telling of their recent successes. Joey Ortiz, one of the more consistent Brewers hitters over the past two weeks, bats leadoff. Chourio, after his recent hot stretch, has worked his way into the fifth spot in the batting order.
The infield takes on its usual configuration with Joey Ortiz and Willy Adames taking the left side of the dirt alongside Brice Turang and Rhys Hoskins at second and first base, respectively. Although Hoskins hasn’t been terrific this year, he now has a hit in eight of his last nine games. He has lacked power in that stretch (with the notable exception of his go-ahead grand slam on Monday), but if he rounds into form, the lineup becomes even more threatening.
Chourio takes left field with Blake Perkins in center field. Sal Frelick’s found a groove himself with his recent performances leading to a .351 batting average over the last 14 days. His contact skills and low strikeout rate have helped him flourish and exhibit how he can contribute at his best. His 7.3% strikeout rate in that span is down from his season mark of 18.1%. He’s hitting fewer groundballs for more threatening contact potential.
William Contreras will take his place behind the dish, leaving Christian Yelich available as the designated hitter.
Tobias Myers makes another start as one of the central figures leading to the Brewers’ growing division lead. Although he isn’t the flashiest pitcher, his effectiveness has created a sense of anticipation for his starts. Myers offers enough pitches to keep hitters off balance while finding success with his fastball that has a .191 batting average against, according to Baseball Savant.
The Cubs roll out Justin Steele, one of the toughest opposing pitchers in the division. Steele fell into a rut early in the season, but his recent performance has been much more representative of his skill. Over his last six starts, Steele has a 1.38 ERA while suppressing hard contact. Through the first five of those six games, Steele didn’t allow a single barreled ball. Milwaukee has struggled against lefties, with a 93 wRC+ against southpaws in the month of June, ranking just 22nd in MLB.
First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.
Update: Joey Ortiz was scratched due to neck soreness, an injury that forced him to exit Wednesday before getting the night off Friday. New lineup posted below.
Joey Ortiz scratched due to neck soreness
Updated lineup:
1. Turang, 2B
2. Contreras, C
3. Yelich, DH
4. Adames, SS
5. Chourio, LF
6. Hoskins, 1B
7. Frelick, RF
8. Perkins, CF
9. Monasterio, 3B https://t.co/cgHFwdGYIE— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 29, 2024
Here is today’s #Cubs starting lineup against the Brewers.
Tune in: https://t.co/Gs2hZXyTjH pic.twitter.com/sJACFLl2Dz
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 29, 2024