Coming off of a second straight shutout, the Brewers will look to make their familiar September push for a third straight post-season appearance. After a classic 1-0 pitcher’s duel victory, the Brewers will turn to Brett Anderson to keep the momentum rolling. It will be a tall task. The Cubs are sending Brewers killer Kyle Hendricks to the mound.
Anderson This Year
Brett Anderson has shown patches of extreme effectiveness throughout the season. Other times, though, he has struggled. He is currently 2-3 with a 4.64 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. His last outing against Cleveland was not his best. He pitched five innings, allowed four runs on six hits, and walked two while only striking out one. Prior to that, Anderson gave up four runs in five innings against Pittsburgh, too, though the Brewers ended up winning that game. In his two starts before that, Anderson put together back-to-back quality starts against the Reds and Twins. The Brewers will be hoping he returns to that form tonight as they take on the first-place Cubs.
Kyle Hendricks: Brewer Owner
Kyle Hendricks has started 22 games against the Brewers in his career. He holds a 9-6 record and 2.87 ERA in those games, including an Opening Day complete game shutout against the Crew this season. The Brewers offense, which scored just one run in the win last night, will hope for a more productive showing tonight. On Opening Day, the Brewers managed just three hits, all of which came from the bat of Orlando Arcia.
For the season, Henricks is 5-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He has won his last two starts, both of which came against Central Division opponents. In his previous start against the Cardinals, Hendricks went eight innings, allowed one run on seven hits, and struck out four while walking none.
The Playoff Run
Brewers’ fans have affectionately dubbed September Craigtember, as the team has made late September pushes for the post season in almost every year that Craig Counsell has been manager. The Brewers are currently one game behind the second place Cardinals and four behind the first place Cubs. Under the new rules this season, the first and second place finishers from each division will automatically make the playoffs. Given the fact that the Brewers are two games under .500, it is imperative that they surpass the Cards for that second place spot.
The Brewers Lineup
Here’s how the #Brewers line up against the Cubs tonight at 6:10 p.m. CT.
📺: @FSWisconsin
📻: @620WTMJ#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/8nkXp0arQL— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 12, 2020
The Cubs Lineup
Here is tonight's #Cubs lineup in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/7VIfrkfgja
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 12, 2020
Edit: Anderson has since been scratched with a sore hip. Brent Suter will start out the game for the Brewers.
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