The Milwaukee Brewers will look to continue their National League Central dominance behind Kyle Harrison when they host the division rival Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
Harrison (8-1, 2.50 ERA) will be opposed by fellow left-hander David Peterson (3-6, 6.09), acquired from the New York Mets on Thursday after two more Cubs starters went on the injured list.
The division-leading Brewers took the series opener 6-2 on Friday behind hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski, who allowed one run on two hits in six innings. Garrett Mitchell and William Contreras each belted a two-run homer to improve to 4-0 against the Cubs this season.
Misiorowski hit 105.5 mph with a first-inning fastball, the fastest pitch ever by a starting pitcher, and boosted his major league-leading strikeout total to 146.
Milwaukee moved 7 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Cubs. The Brewers also climbed to a season-high 21 games above .500, improving to 12-3 against division opponents this season, including 11 consecutive wins.
The Brewers notched their 50th victory in 79 games, surpassing the previous fastest mark of 82 games in 2014.
Harrison has won seven of his 11 starts since his only loss on April 11. His season ERA is misleading due to allowing eight runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Athletics in the Triple-A stadium in Las Vegas on July 8, although he avoided the loss when the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings.
He allowed two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings and left with a 3-1 lead in his last start against Atlanta. He did not get the decision, however, as the Braves rallied to a 4-3 win.
“Each start, it’s a new day,” Harrison said afterward. “It’s a new challenge. You can’t ride that roller coaster. You just have to attack each day and just try to be the best version of yourself.”
Harrison is 1-0 in two career games (one start) without allowing a run in eight innings against the Cubs. He picked up the win in a 5-1 victory at Chicago on May 20, allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts.
Peterson was acquired from the Mets in exchange for minor-league first baseman/DH Cole Mathis. The trade came on the heels of Edward Cabrera (left hamstring strain) and Ben Brown (neck strain) both being placed on the injured list Wednesday, joining three other starters on the IL.
“Some shock in the moment,” Peterson said Friday before the series opener in Milwaukee. “I was drafted by the Mets — spent 10 years there. A lot of good memories, a lot of great people and friendships that I’ll have for a long time. But you kind of move on to the next step. It’s the business of the game. I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Peterson was 10-3 with the Mets in 2024 and 9-6 last season, making the All-Star team. He has struggled this season, however, and fell out of the rotation.
Peterson is 0-1 in three appearances in June. His lone start this month was his last outing taking the loss in a 6-2 defeat at Philadelphia, allowing five runs (four earned) in four innings.
Peterson is 3-1 with a 3.49 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus the Brewers.
–Field Level Media
