Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Milwaukee 5

While the Milwaukee Brewers are far from playoff contention, at least they have gotten their swagger back at Miller Park. The Brewers will try for a three-game sweep Wednesday when they host the Chicago Cubs, who are having trouble winning anywhere, especially in Wisconsin. Milwaukee, which was a major league-best 57-24 at home in 2011, is 37-28 this season after winning 10 of its last 12. Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy has been a big factor lately. He is 6-for-14 in his last four games, and 3-for-7 with two homers and six RBIs in the series. His two-run double in the sixth inning wound up being crucial in Milwaukee's 5-2 victory Tuesday.

The Cubs have lost 17 of their last 21 games and 14 of their last 17 contests at Miller Park since the start of the 2011 season as they continue to play out the string and take stock in their future. They may have found a future starter in left-hander Chris Rusin, who had some command issues but allowed only one run and one hit in five innings Tuesday. The Cubs' Travis Wood hasn't won since July 6, a span of seven starts, but is 3-0 lifetime against Milwaukee. He will oppose Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo, who has won four straight outings.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (4-9, 4.83 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (12-8, 3.67)

Wood has recorded six losses during his slide, including a 7-3 setback at Cincinnati on Friday when he allowed seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in five innings for his third straight loss on the road. In his previous three outings, Wood suffered two losses despite posting a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings. The Brewers' roster is hitting .182 against him, with Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez a combined 6-for-20.

Gallardo, who has allowed six runs in his last four outings (28 2/3 innings), yielded one run and four hits in seven innings in Milwaukee's 6-2 victory over Philadelphia on Friday. Gallardo is 7-3 with a 3.24 ERA at Miller Park and has won three straight starts there. Gallardo is 5-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs. Starlin Castro is 9-for-23 with three doubles against him while Alfonso Soriano is 4-for-23 with a homer and 10 strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee (55-66) has already matched last season's loss total.

2. Rusin was the Cubs' 11th starter this season, their most since they tied a franchise record by using 15 in 2006.

3. The Brewers lead the season series 9-3.