Cubs, Brewers to open series in Milwaukee tied atop the National League

The Cubs and Brewers are set to open a three-game series Sunday as the top two teams in the National League.

With the Cubs’ 5-4 win against the White Sox Sunday, claiming the series win at Rate Field, the Cubs (62-43) remained tied with the Brewers for the best record in the NL.

“Over the course of a long year, there's going to be ups and downs,” Cubs catcher Carson Kelly said in a recent conversation with the Sun-Times. “They've been playing really well. We focus on what we can control. And you look up at the end of the year, and then we'll see where we’re at.”

There are still 57 games left in the season, including eight against the Brewers that could swing the battle for the top of the division.

“It's good division, competitive,” Cubs right-hander Colin Rea said. “From here on out, it’s going to be a lot of fun. We're going to have to come ready to play every single day, and I'm sure those teams will do the same.”

Rea is scheduled to face his former team on Wednesday. He was a member of the Brewers rotation for the past two seasons, while also chipping in a handful of relief appearances.

Cubs right-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz, another connecting thread between the two teams, was a 2019 trade deadline acquisition for the Brewers and helped them secure a Wild Card spot.

“I feel like every year they're either making a run or playing well – I've been a part of one of those too,” Pomeranz said. “And they just have a good system for the way they pick players and piece them all together.”

The Cubs and Brewers are on a 95.63-win pace, setting a high bar to clear for the NL Central title.

Forcing mistakes

To end the third inning, second baseman Nico Hoerner turned what should have been just one out into a double play.

With one out in the innings and runners on first and second, Cubs right-hander Ben Brown induced the White Sox’ Chase Meidroth to pop up to the right side of the field. Hoerner called off first baseman Michael Busch early and camped under the ball.

“First thought was just watching the hitter, looking to maybe drop the ball and get him out, and then hopefully get a double play,” Hoerner said. “They call infield fly, so the batter's out.”

The rule was instituted to keep infielders from purposely dropping popups to set up an easy double play. But Hoerner, seeing the ball was short enough to land on the infield grass and sit there, tried it anyway.

“My attention was definitely more so immediately on the runner right in front of me, on first," Hoerner said. "But [shortstop Dansby Swanson] was yelling behind me.”

Across the field, Lenyn Sosa, the runner on second, took the bait. He headed for third, and Hoerner picked up the ball and fired to complete an inning-ending double play.

Surprising game-winner

In the eighth inning, Hoerner proved disruptive on the bases. Caught off the bag with a back-pick, Hoerner prolonged a rundown to let Ian Happ advance.

The White Sox threw home to keep Happ from scoring, but he barreled into third baseman Colson Montgomery on the way back, securing an obstruction call. Happ was awarded home plate to put the Cubs up 5-1. It ended up being the winning run.

“It started with a mistake on my end, just getting too far off,” Hoerner said. “And, fortunately, Ian's able to capitalize on just some chaos out there.”