Listen as Jacob Misiorowski comments on his big-league debut in Milwaukee
Jacob Misiorowski comments on his big-league debut at American Family Field on June 12, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals. Misiorowski pitched five innings without allowing a hit during a 6-0 Brewers win.
The Milwaukee Brewers (39-34) leapfrogged St. Louis over the weekend in the National League Central and head to Wrigley Field this week for a three-game series against the first-place Chicago Cubs (44-28).
For the first time in a while, the Brewers have a big hill to climb to catch their nemesis.
The series will include a meeting with some old friends, namely manager Craig Counsell and starting pitcher Colin Rea, though Rea won’t appear in the series. He’s got a 4-2 record and a 3.84 ERA this year, but he just pitched June 15 in a 3-2 Cubs win.
Milwaukee comes into the meeting 4½ games behind the Cubs for first place, up from their season-worst 6½ back.
The Brewers were never more than 2 games out of first place during each of the past two seasons, both campaigns that ended with runaway divisional titles. The Cubs, of course, were a big part of that, finishing a quiet 83-79 both seasons. Chicago was never more than six games above. 500 after May 15 last year, in the first season under Counsell, the former Brewers manager.
Then came Kyle Tucker, and that wasn’t all.
Pitching matchups for Brewers vs Cubs7:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 17: Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick (3-6, 3.25 ERA) vs. Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (3-5, 5.71 ERA)7:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 18: Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (7-3, 3.48 ERA)1:20 p.m. Thursday, June 19: Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta (6-4, 2.60 ERA) vs. Cubs right-hander Cade Horton (3-1, 3.47 ERA)Both the Cubs and Brewers will send big-time rookies to the mound
Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski had an electric debut June 12 against St. Louis, allowing no hits in five shutout innings. He’ll be back for his second start and first road appearance with the Brewers in the Wednesday night clash at Wrigley Field.
Not to be outdone, the Cubs have their own intriguing rookie in Cade Horton, who will oppose Freddy Peralta in the series finale. Horton has made six starts and seven appearances, and he’s worked no fewer than five innings in each of the starts. Only one of his starts has been rough, and his last one against Pittsburgh included 5â…” shutout innings, with three hits and one walk.
Who are the players that have made the Cubs so much better this year?
Chicago acquired Tucker in an offseason trade with the Astros, and he’s lived up to his three-time all-star track record, though he remains on course to hit free agency this offseason.
The outfielder has a .893 OPS, with 13 homers and 43 RBIs already and a .389 on-base percentage. The Cubs didn’t have any regulars approaching that OPS mark last season, with Seiya Suzuki (.848) leading the way.
The team leader in home runs last year was Ian Happ with 25. After finishing near the bottom third in homers last year, the Cubs are ranked fifth in MLB this season, while sitting second in doubles.
If there’s any solace, Tucker only has one home run in June and is batting .244 with a more human .795 OPS.
But there are other hitters who are delivering at a high level.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfielder. One of the breakout stars across baseball in 2025, the demonstrative center fielder makes flashy plays in the field — he leads the team with 4.0 WAR — and also has an .840 OPS with a team-leading 18 homers. He also has 23 stolen bases, just two behind Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz for the league lead.Michael Busch, first baseman. He has an .861 OPS and .359 on-base percentage in a breakout season. The lefty bat doesn’t get a ton of at-bats against lefties, but the Brewers won’t be throwing any of those in the series.Seiya Suzuki, designated hitter. He’s down to a .318 on-base percentage but still has an .847 OPS thanks to his 17 homers and team-leading 18 doubles. He leads the Cubs with 58 RBIs.Carson Kelly, catcher. The offseason free-agent pickup has been excellent in a timeshare with Miguel Amaya (no slouch himself), posting an .834 OPS.
Among regulars, only rookie third baseman Matt Shaw is regarded as below-average, according to OPS-plus.
What about the Chicago Cubs’ starting pitchers?
With Justin Steele out for the year following Tommy John surgery, the best Cubs pitchers in the rotation won’t face Milwaukee this series, with left-handers Shota Imanaga (3-2, 2.82 ERA in eight starts) and Matthew Boyd (6-3, 2.79) not on the menu. But don’t discount a big year from the 33-year-old Taillon, who has allowed a league-high 16 homers but still owns an excellent WHIP (0.980) and 3.48 ERA.
Rea and Horton join Taillon and the aforementioned lefties to give the Cubs five starting options with ERAs below 4.00.
Brown has been an adventure this year. He has three starts of six shutout innings, including one against the Brewers on May 2. He also has five outings allowing five or more runs in fewer than six innings. His 1.471 WHIP overall is ugly, but he does have 83 strikeouts in fewer than 70 innings.
What about the Chicago Cubs bullpen?
The bullpen has a reputation of being the Cubs’ weakness, but Chicago has some hammers this year, and the team’s 3.16 ERA from its bullpen is fourth in all of baseball. Daniel Palencia, the team’s closer, owns a WHIP under 1.000 and a 1.73 ERA, with 28 strikeouts in 26 innings. Left-hander Caleb Thielbar has a 1.75 ERA and 1.013 WHIP in 30 games. Brad Keller has also been excellent, with a 2.16 ERA in 33 innings and 1.020 WHIP.
Then there are a couple surging veterans, including former Brewers left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who hasn’t allowed an earned run (and just one unearned) in his 18â…“ innings during his age-36 season. Chris Flexen also hasn’t allowed an earned run (one unearned) in his own 18â…“ innings.
Craig Counsell is on track to win manager of the year
After finishing second three times with the Brewers for the award, Craig Counsell watched his former mentor and assistant Pat Murphy win the award in 2024. Counsell, however, is now the odds-on favorite to win in 2025.
Oli Marmol of the Cardinals and Bob Melvin of the San Francisco Giants are the only candidates in the ballpark at plus-600, with Counsell at minus-160 odds.
What are the odds the Brewers catch the Cubs in the Central?
It’s a new challenge for the Brewers to play from behind in the standings, as they are this season. At this point in the year, the Brewers’ playoff odds haven’t been south of 50% dating to 2018.
But this year, even after a late surge, Baseball Reference sees their odds to make the postseason at 42.9% and a measly 5.4% to win the division.
Fangraphs feels a little more optimistic about the Brewers winning the division at 11.8%, but the overall playoff odds are just 32.3%.