The Milwaukee Brewers remain three and a half games back in the National League Central after their 5-4 loss at Cincinnati on Labor Day. But the Crew fell to one and a half behind Colorado for the second and final N-L Wild Card playoff spot after the Rockies used a bases loaded walk to beat San Francisco. Brewers’ reliever Josh Hader was tagged for his second straight loss on Monday, when Billy Hamilton hit a walkoff solo homer that broke a tie game with only one out to go before extra innings. The Chicago Cubs maintained their lead atop the Central after losing 12-0 to Pittsburgh.
Brewers’ starter Matt Garza will pitch tomorrow (Wednesday) at Cincinnati, so manager Craig Counsell can use his three best starters for a weekend series against the Cubs. Garza has struggled as of late, with a nine-point-three-eight E-R-A in his last five outings — and because of it, he was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against Washington. Counsell says his bullpen is in good shape, so he can afford to put a short leash on Garza Wednesday if need be. Right hander Jimmy Nelson was moved back to Friday, where he’ll start the opener of the Cubs’ series at Wrigley Field — with Chase Anderson and Zach Davies going on Saturday and Sunday.
