2020 MLB – Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers taking place? Thursday 26th March, 2020 – 19:10 (UK)
Where is Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers taking place? Miller Park
What is the expected weather for Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers? Partly cloudy, 6c
What television channel is Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers on? BT Sport 1 showcases MLB games in the UK so it would be useful to check their schedule
Where can I stream Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / MLB.tv in the US
Where can I get tickets for Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers? https://www.mlb.com/tickets/season-tickets
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Chicago Cubs 5 – 8 Milwaukee Brewers
THE TEAM NEWS
CHICAGO CUBS
- Based on what they did during the 2019 season the Cubs could be considered as one of the biggest disappointments in MLB since they failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in 2019. They suffered a major collapse in September going 11-16 in the final month of the regular season and posting an 84-78 record.
- Expectations should be different this time around as first manager David Ross will have the task of carrying the Cubs to the postseason following the dismissal of Joe Maddon. Anything less than fighting for another World Series title will be labelled as a major bust for a franchise that got used to winning over the last few years.
- Chicago’s core entering the 2020 season should not differ from the squad that has been carrying most of the weight of the past few years, with names such as Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez and Kris Bryant getting ready for one more run. Perhaps their biggest addition was signing reliever Jeremy Jeffress and allowing Nicholas Castellanos to leave in free agency.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
- The Brewers finished second in the NL Central in 2019 and earned the right to play in the NL Wild Card, but they suffered a late collapse and lost to the future World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals. Despite the loss, it was heroic to see the Brewers end with an 89-73 since they lost star outfielder Christian Yelich due to injury down the stretch.
- The Brewers are expected to be in amongst the NL Central title contenders again, although sneaking into the NL Wild Card race should be considered a more reasonable expectation. For what it's worth, they have reached the postseason in the last two years and their continuity should allow them to try and reach it for another year.
- Milwaukee’s biggest additions came through the infield as they signed names like Justin Smoak, Eric Sogard and Ryon Healy, all on one-year contracts. However, their biggest “signing” will be a fully fit Christian Yelich, after he missed the final weeks of the 2019 regular season with a kneecap injury.
THE PREDICTION
These teams are balanced against each other and it is hard to see an edge in overall quality here. The home/away splits, however, are crystal clear, as while the Brewers earned most of their wins (49/89) at Miller Park, the Cubs suffered 48 of their 78 defeats playing away from Wrigley Field. These teams didn’t undergo many changes throughout the offseason so those tendencies should continue. As such, Milwaukee should win here, and they look like favourites to begin the season with a positive result.
