Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong rides power surge into key clash vs. Brewers

If the Chicago Cubs are going to make a run at the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, a four-game series at Wrigley Field beginning Monday night is a good time to start.

Chicago dropped the decisive contest of its three-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds with a 7-5 loss on Sunday night. Despite Pete Crow-Armstrong continuing to bolster his candidacy for NL MVP, the second-place Cubs are eight games behind the Brewers in the Central.

After a three-homer game in Saturday's 17-5 win over the Reds, Crow-Armstrong added two solo shots on Sunday. He has 38 homers this season, second-most in the major leagues behind Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber (40).

"The ball just explodes off (Crow-Armstrong's) bat," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "He's making it look a lot easier than it is. I think special players go through stretches, but he's spoiled us the last two days for sure. It's fun to watch."

Milwaukee, meanwhile, claimed the first two contests of a three-game home series against the Texas Rangers before falling 7-4 on Sunday. Even with a robust divisional lead over Chicago, Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said he wants his club focused on the details.

"We have to play a certain way with a certain intensity," Murphy said. "The expectation can't be we have a better record so we are better than them. We have to play a certain way."

Left-hander Kyle Harrison (10-3, 2.79 ERA) will start Monday's game for the Brewers. He received a no-decision in his last start, a 3-2 loss in 10 innings at the New York Mets on Tuesday. He allowed one run on six hits while walking one and striking out five over five innings.

Harrison has made three career appearances (two starts) against the Cubs, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. He has 22 strikeouts and just two walks over 13 innings.

"It just comes down to winning every night," Harrison said. "That's all you can think about in a series like this, just be the best version of yourself each night."

While the Cubs focus on closing their deficit in the NL Central with seven of their next 10 games against the Brewers, they'll also have to keep an eye on the Phillies, who are tied with Chicago for the top wild-card spot in the NL.

The Cubs, who have lost seven of their last 10 games, will turn to right-hander Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.26 ERA) on Monday in an effort to change their fortunes.

Holmes received a no-decision in a 5-4 loss at the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, tossing seven shutout innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five.

Holmes has struggled against the Brewers in his career, going 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA in 18 appearances (two starts).

In four starts with the Cubs, he appears to be finding his stride after a right fibula fracture sidelined him on May 15 when he was with the New York Mets.

"The further I get removed from the rehab stuff, and just back into my normal routine, I think things will just continue to build," Holmes said. "I think a lot of it is that you are feeling comfortable with the guys here, the pitching coaches, the training staff and the catchers."

--Field Level Media