Brewers and Cubs Set for Thrilling Three-Game Series at Wrigley Field

The stage is set for an exciting clash as the Milwaukee Brewers prepare to face off against the Chicago Cubs for the first series of the 2026 season. This matchup marks their first encounter since the Brewers edged out the Cubs 3-2 in last season’s National League Division Series. Fans can expect a thrilling atmosphere at Wrigley Field as these two rivals engage in a three-game showdown beginning Monday night.

The Brewers arrive in Chicago riding a wave of momentum, having secured a series victory against the Minnesota Twins. This win is their third consecutive series triumph following a successful 5-1 homestand against the Yankees and Padres. Currently, the Cubs hold a slight edge in the standings, sitting at 29-18 and 1.5 games ahead of both the Brewers and Cardinals. However, the Cubs are coming off a challenging stretch, having dropped their last three series against the Rangers, Braves, and White Sox.

In terms of injuries, the Brewers are facing significant challenges with key players sidelined. Quinn Priester, Brandon Woodruff, Rob Zastryzny, Jared Koenig, and Angel Zerpa are all out, while outfielders Brandon Lockridge and Akil Baddoo are also on the injured list. Similarly, the Cubs are grappling with a depleted pitching staff, missing Matthew Boyd, Caleb Thielbar, Hunter Harvey, Justin Steele, and several others. The only position player injury for Chicago is first baseman Tyler Austin, who is recovering from a knee procedure.

Offensively, the Brewers are led by Brice Turang, with support from William Contreras, Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, and Andrew Vaughn. Despite their struggles with a .244 batting average and a .693 OPS that ranks 23rd in the league, they have managed to score 218 runs, placing them eighth overall. The Cubs counter with a strong lineup, spearheaded by Ian Happ, who has launched 10 home runs this season. Their collective .246 batting average and .749 OPS rank fourth, with 241 runs scored, also placing them fourth in the league.

On the pitching side, the Brewers’ bullpen has been anchored by Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, and Grant Anderson, contributing to a solid team ERA of 3.29, which ranks third in the league. In contrast, the Cubs’ bullpen, featuring Daniel Palencia and Hoby Milner, has a team ERA of 3.99, placing them 15th overall. Both teams are eager to bolster their pitching depth as they head into this crucial series.

The series kicks off on Monday, May 18, at 6:40 p.m. with Brewers’ right-hander Brandon Sproat taking the mound against Cubs’ lefty Shota Imanaga. Sproat, who is still searching for consistency, will look to build on his recent performance against the Padres. Meanwhile, Imanaga, an All-Star in 2024, aims to bounce back after a tough outing against the Braves.

On Tuesday, May 19, Jacob Misiorowski, who has emerged as a key player for the Brewers, will face off against the Cubs’ Ben Brown, who has shown promise in his recent starts. The series culminates on Wednesday, May 20, with Kyle Harrison taking on Edward Cabrera, who is still looking to find his rhythm after transitioning from the Marlins.

As the Brewers and Cubs gear up for what promises to be a competitive series, fans will be eagerly tuning in to see which team can establish dominance in this early-season rivalry.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.