As the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers gear up for their first matchup of the season, the stakes are high. This three-game series at American Family Field is crucial, especially for the Brewers, who are looking to make a statement after a rocky start to their 2025 campaign. The Cubs, sitting comfortably above .500, are eager to maintain their momentum against their division rivals.
Starting on Friday, May 2, 2025, the Cubs will face off against the Brewers, with the first game set to begin at 7:10 PM CT. The Cubs have started the season strong, boasting a record six games over .500, but their strength of schedule has played a significant role in their success. With an opponent winning percentage of .574, the Cubs have faced tougher competition compared to the Brewers, who have a .491 opponent winning percentage.
The opening game will feature Cubs pitcher Ben Brown, who holds a 2-2 record with a 6.04 ERA, taking on the Brewers' Quinn Priester, who is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA. This matchup is particularly interesting given the Brewers traded a significant haul for Priester just after the season began. The second game on Saturday, May 3, will showcase Jameson Taillon for the Cubs against old friend Jose Quintana, who has been impressive this season with a 1.14 ERA and a 3.36 FIP. Finally, on Sunday, May 4, Shota Imanaga will go up against Freddy Peralta, the best pitcher from each team, making for an exhilarating finale to the series.
In addition to the pitching matchups, several players are worth keeping an eye on this weekend. Dansby Swanson has been on fire since mid-April, slashing .295/.340/.523, while Ian Happ has returned to form with a production level roughly 20% better than the league average hitter. Happ's strikeout rate is notably low at 16.7%, and he continues to walk at a solid 12.2% rate. His recent performance includes seven doubles and a home run over his last 78 plate appearances, showcasing a .507 slugging percentage.
On the Brewers' side, Jackson Chourio is having an up-and-down season, currently hitting .271/.285/.504 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. However, his 32 strikeouts against only two walks raise concerns about his plate discipline. The Brewers have also faced challenges due to injuries, leaving them with a depleted pitching staff. Just a month ago, they had only one active starting pitcher, but they've since seen some players return from injury, including Tobias Myers and the late-starting Quintana.
The rivalry between the Cubs and Brewers adds an extra layer of excitement to this series. Historically, the Cubs and Brewers have faced off 443 times, with the Brewers leading the all-time series 224-219. The Cubs have struggled against the Brewers in recent years, having only won the season series once since 2022, while the Brewers have captured the division title in three of the last four seasons. This series is a chance for the Cubs to assert themselves in the NL Central and potentially shift the momentum in their favor.
As the series unfolds, fans will be eager to see how the Cubs' lineup, which includes standout players like Kyle Tucker, who has seven home runs and a .965 OPS through 30 games, and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has an .813 OPS and six homers, performs against the Brewers. Both teams are looking to solidify their positions early in the season, making this matchup one to watch.
After this series, the Cubs will return to Wrigley Field to face the San Francisco Giants on Monday evening, May 5, 2025. The Giants will present another challenge for the Cubs as they continue their quest for dominance in the NL Central. Fans can catch all the action this weekend on Apple TV+, with the first game airing live on Friday Night Baseball.
In summary, this weekend's series between the Cubs and Brewers is set to be a thrilling contest, with both teams vying for early season supremacy in the NL Central. With intriguing pitching matchups and key players stepping up, this rivalry is sure to deliver excitement for baseball fans.
