Milwaukee @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2012 ) Milwaukee 3, Chi. Cubs 1

The Milwaukee Brewers are enjoying the longest winning streak in the history of their series with the Chicago Cubs at eight games. The Brewers have dominated their division rivals in 2012, taking 13 of 16 meetings between the teams. Luckily for Milwaukee, it still has one more chance to pile on the hapless Cubs as it looks to return to the .500 mark. Chicago has dropped 22 of its last 28 games overall.

The Brewers have outscored the Cubs 22-6 in the first three games of the current series and enjoyed a series of errors in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s 3-1 triumph. Chicago committed three miscues in the frame, allowing the go-ahead runs to score. Milwaukee has won four straight and eight of its last nine, with six of those victories coming over the Cubs. That momentum has allowed the Brewers (62-67) to entertain series thoughts of a winning season. On the pace it has set over the last month, Chicago would finish with the franchise’s first 100-loss campaign since 1966.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSWI (Milwaukee), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Shaun Marcum (5-4, 3.19 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Brooks Raley (1-2, 6.64)

Marcum was reportedly placed on waivers this week and is a strong candidate to be traded before Friday. The veteran right-hander, who came off a two-month stint on the disabled list last week, is still slated to take the ball on Thursday. Marcum allowed four unearned runs and five hits in five innings to suffer a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday. He surrendered one run in seven innings to beat the Cubs on May 12 and is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA against the division rivals in his career.

Raley is one of several pitchers attempting to impress the front office over the final weeks of the season. The 24-year old lefty has yet to pitch more than six innings in four major-league starts but was sharp against Colorado last Saturday, yielding two runs and five hits over five innings in a no decision. He has yet to face Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 2B Darwin Barney set the NL record with his 114th straight errorless game on Wednesday. Barney may have gotten the benefit of hometown scoring, as his throw in the dirt to third base in the seventh inning was called an error on 3B Luis Valbuena.

2. Milwaukee RHP John Axford has recorded four straight saves against the Cubs, allowing one hit in 3 1/3 innings.

3. Chicago rookie Brett Jackson struck out two more times on Wednesday and has punched out 36 times in 71 at-bats.