Chicago @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Milwaukee 4
After winning a season-best eight straight at home, the Milwaukee Brewers dropped their final two at Miller Park to settle for a split of a four-game weekend series with Philadelphia. The Brewers will look to regain their home dominance when they welcome the Chicago Cubs for the opener of a three-game set. Ryan Braun was limited to just a double after belting three homers in as many games as the Brewers dropped an 8-0 decision to the Phillies on Sunday.
Chicago was unable to take advantage of three errors by Cincinnati and suffered its 15th loss in 19 games with a 5-4 setback to the Reds on Sunday. The Cubs have struggled mightily in Wisconsin, dropping 12 of 15 contests since the start of last season. Braun has gone deep against Monday starter Justin Germano once in his career.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), FSWI (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Justin Germano (2-2, 3.19 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Mark Rogers (0-1, 4.94)
Germano permitted two earned runs for the third time in four outings and pitched a season-best 6 1/3 innings in a 7-2 win over Houston on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has yielded just two homers in 31.0 innings this season. Germano is 1-1 with 16 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings against Milwaukee in his career.
Rogers allowed five earned runs for the second time in three starts, but walked away with a no-decision against Colorado on Wednesday. The 26-year-old, who is still searching for his first major-league victory, is issuing nearly a hit per inning (23 hits, 23 2/3 innings). Rogers struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief in his major-league debut versus the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs SS Starlin Castro, who had an RBI single Sunday, has nine hits in his last five games.
2. Milwaukee OF Nyjer Morgan collected two hits for the third time in four games Sunday. He went 0-for-4 against the Cubs during their series June 5-7.
3. Chicago is expected to recall LHP Chris Rusin from Triple-A Iowa to start Tuesday's tilt.