Thursday, August 14, 2014, 2:20 PM on FSW, WGN

Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Milwaukee Brewers - Fiers, M (1-1) vs. Chicago Cubs - Jackson, E (6-12)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, Mike Fiers (1 -1, 1.80 ERA) takes the hill for the Milwaukee Brewers as they face Edwin Jackson (6 – 12, 5.61 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs.  Fiers will make his 2nd start and 6th appearance as Jackson makes his 25th start.

Mike Fiers got the win his last time out in his 1st start of season.  Fiers had been recalled from Triple-A Nashville to make the start and he rewarded the Brewers for that decision.  Fiers allowed a run (on a solo home run) and 3 hits in 8 innings of work.  He walked a batter and struck out 5.  At Triple-A, Fiers was 8 – 5, with a 2.55 ERA in 17 starts.  He also mowed down a lot of hitters this season with 129 strikeouts to just 17 walks.  Last season, Fiers started 3 games and made 8 appearances for the Brewers en route to a 1 – 4 record and 7.25 ERA. 

Fiers didn’t pitch against the Cubs last season but he has faced a few of the Chicago hitters before.  John Baker is 2 for 3 against Fiers with 2 RBIs. 

Edwin Jackson had a fairly decent outing in his last start but it didn’t result in a decision for him. In 6 innings of work, Jackson allowed 4 runs and 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3.  But his offense was shutout and that spoiled Jackson’s effort.  Wins have been hard to come by for Jackson and he is just 2 - 5 in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Jackson was 8 – 18 with an ERA of 4.98 in 31 starts.

Last season, Jackson was 1 – 4 with a 4.71 ERA in 5 starts against the Brewers. Earlier this season, Jackson beat Milwaukee after holding the Brewers to just 4 hits in 7 innings.               

Milwaukee Brewers Betting Trends

Milwaukee Brewers are 58-58-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Milwaukee Brewers is 0.3

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 59-51-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.4

Injuries to Watch

Milwaukee Brewers

08/05/14 P Matt Garza Oblique 15-day DL (8/4)
07/18/14 3B Jeff Bianchi Elbow 15-day DL (7/13)
07/10/14 P Wei-Chung Wang Shoulder 15-day DL (7/9)
06/09/14 P Tyler Thornburg Elbow 60-day DL (6/7)
05/02/14 P Jim Henderson Shoulder 60-day DL (5/2)

Chicago Cubs

08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
07/31/14 P Felix Doubront Calf 15-day DL (7/31)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago

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