Brewers-Cubs Preview: 9/6-9/8

Yes, it is September and the Brewers are still playing baseball even when there is football going on. Yes I know this is crazy, but it's true.  We preview the rest of the series moving forward.  

Pitching Matchups and TV Times
Friday: Kyle Lohse (9-8 3.32) v. Chris Rusin (2-3 2.74)                    1:20 pm WGN
Saturday: Johnny Hellweg (0-3 10.97) v. Jake Arrieta (2-1 3.77)       3:05 pm FSWI
Sunday: Yovani Gallardo (10-9 4.31) v. Scott Baker (Season Debut) 1:20 pm FSWI

Five things to watch
1.) Call Me Maybe? - It came out Ryan Braun made random phone calls to season ticket holders apologizing for me what he did with the Biogenesis scandal. We already know where I stand on Braun and I feel like he owes these fans nothing yet this is still a stand-up move. A man had to swallow his pride and tell the everyone he messed up.  I do not think people understand how hard it is to tell random people who probably do not like you, say 'I am sorry.'

2.) Who can tank more this weekend? - I doubt either of these teams will actually tank, but it would be funny to see how two low-level baseball teams try to lose the game. In all seriousness, both teams probably do not want to win these games as they are trying to maintain where they stand in the MLB Draft.  As today, the Cubs would have the fourth pick in the MLB Draft while the Brewers would have the fifth pick.  There are five teams separated by three games. Exciting stuff I know.  

3) A football palate cleanser - Maybe I am alone here, but I will definitely spend some time with the Brewers this weekend if I get a chance up in Green Bay. I just like to have another option other than football. Usually, the go-to option is golf but they are a break until the following weekend. I definitely want to check out Johnny Hellweg on Saturday and see if he has the Brewer Bounce Back as Khris Davis, Scooter Gennett and Caleb Gindl all did when they came back to Milwaukee.

4.)  Why do people shit on Kyle Lohse? - I have no idea why people think Kyle Lohse is a bad value. Yes I was not a fan of the deal in March. But the Brewers really have a legitimate number two starter and this year, Lohse has been the number one. He is having another great year as he has a 3.32 ERA, over 100 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.20. I look forward to watching Lohse pitch for another year as a Brewer pitcher.

5.) Anyone notice how the Brewers-Cubs do not play weekend series very much? - This is a bizarre thing to talk about but I feel like these two teams always play during the week? Why is that? It seems logical for these two teams to play over the weekend because fans of both teams can spend a whole weekend either in Chicago or Milwaukee. I realize this is pretty trivial, but there is not much to talk about with two teams being a combined 40 games under .500.  

Charlie.