MILWAUKEE (WSAU) The Milwaukee Brewers’ division lead dropped to nine-and-a-half games last night. The Brewers were idle, while second-place Saint Louis out-slugged Pittsburgh at home, 8-to-4. Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer to seal the victory for the Cardinals. And it kept the Brewers’ magic number at 22 for clinching the National League Central.
Tonight Milwaukee will open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. Last time the Cubs played in Milwaukee, the Brewers were third place in the Central, a half-game out. Since then, the Brewers went on the biggest one-month tear in their history, winning 24-of-29 games. Manager Ron Roenicke credits the starting pitching – especially right-handers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, both of whom came to Milwaukee last winter. Also, the Brewer offense has had more timely hits.
Meanwhile, the Cubs continue to struggle. They lost three-of-four to Atlanta this week at Wrigley Field, including an 8-to-3 defeat yesterday. Chicago committed four errors in that game. And the Cubs are now 20-and-a-half games behind Milwaukee in the N-L Central, 17 games below .500. Left-hander Randy Wolf will start for the Brewers tonight against Cubs’ right-hander Rodrigo Lopez.
