MILWAUKEE — Contrary to in style social-media opinion and sports-talk math, the Brewers aren’t in place to get rid of the Cubs from National League Central competition throughout their weekend sequence at Miller Park.
Not even after pouncing on longtime Brewers killer Jose Quintana for eight runs in three innings on the way in which to a 13-10 victory within the sequence opener Friday that despatched the Cubs to their sixth consecutive loss.
The Cubs have but to play a house sport and are already 5½ video games again of first place for the primary time since July 2017, when crew president Theo Epstein admittedly was on the verge of promoting off gamers on the commerce deadline.
‘‘I could see us really hitting the panic button if it was the All-Star break, later on in the season,’’ third baseman Kris Bryant mentioned. ‘‘But we still have a lot of time, a lot of ground to make up. I believe in this team. We’ve obtained a very good nucleus, good gamers and all of the expertise on this planet. There’s no fear on my finish.’’
Tough night time for Cubs starter Jose Quintana Friday.
How unhealthy is the early a part of this season going for the Cubs?
Quintana had a 1.62 profession ERA towards the Brewers and was 4-1 with a 1.55 ERA in six profession begins at Miller Park earlier than the Brewers pounded him for eight hits, together with three dwelling runs, throughout a 76-pitch begin (33 within the first inning alone).
‘‘It’s actually powerful this time,’’ mentioned Quintana, who made his first begin of the season after making his 2019 debut with a four-inning aid look final week. ‘‘I feel really bad. I tried to pick up my teammates.’’
It’s the Cubs’ first six-game skid since their winless West Coast journey in May 2017 and their 1-6 file is their worst seven-game begin since 1997, after they misplaced their first 14 video games.
‘‘It’s not what we talked about within the spring, the place we wished to get off to an amazing begin,’’ Bryant mentioned. ‘‘But it’s going to make our story that significantly better.
‘‘There’s no time to place our head down or sit right here and complain or whine or no matter. We’ve obtained so many video games left. It’s vital to remain collectively right here.’’
The Cubs nonetheless have two video games left towards the red-hot Brewers earlier than their dwelling opener Monday. On Saturday, they may attempt to keep away from their first seven-game skid since 2014 and to keep away from falling 6½ video games out of first place for the primary time since 2015.
The beleaguered bullpen continued to have issues, with Carl Edwards Jr. giving up a two-run homer within the fifth and Brandon Kintzler surrendering a three-run homer within the seventh in his first powerful outing.
Manager Joe Maddon continued to give attention to the bullpen because the one space to enhance however mentioned he preferred how the crew usually was dealing with the early adversity.
Whether the Cubs may make a bullpen transfer within the subsequent day or two, Maddon mentioned he didn’t count on something instantly.
‘‘It’s not inconceivable, however I’ve not spoken to anyone but,’’ he mentioned.
The Cubs have allowed a franchise-record 16 homers already. That’s one of many causes they have already got misplaced two video games when scoring 10 runs.
‘‘You’re going to have lulls by way of the season,’’ mentioned right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who’s scheduled to make his second begin Sunday. ‘‘I’m simply form of hoping that is our time after we undergo that after which come out of it.
‘‘We see where we’re at and we’re placing our work in and we all know we have to make it occur after we go on the market. That’s the underside line. We know what we have now on this room, and we’re all collectively on this.’’