Covering the bases 7/30/2025: Cubs 10, Brewers 3

With a chance to sweep a three-game series vs. the rival Chicago Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers fell short, dropping a 10-3 decision. Still, the Brewers took two out of three and remain one game up on the Cubs in the NL Central and retain possession of the best record in MLB at 64-44. Following a team day off Thursday, the Brewers hit the road for six games, beginning with three against the Washington Nationals.

Let's take a spin around the bases.

FIRST BASE: Easy August

Despite the loss, the Brewers finished 17-7 in July, their best month of the season. Even with the pressure increasing with each game, August shapes up as a relatively easy month for the Crew. After the Nationals, the Brewers travel to Atlanta before the first of two tough series, returning home to face the New York Mets. The Pittsburgh Pirates conclude that six-game homestand before hitting the road for three against the Reds and then the big five-gamer vs. the Cubs. After that, it is seven games at home against the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, then finishing the month on the road facing the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. Only the Mets, Cubs and Jays are truly contenders at this point, with the Reds on the fringe.

SECOND BASE: Season series tied

While this was a big series to win for the Brewers, everyone involved knows that the five-game series in August at Wrigley Field will go a long way to deciding the NL Central champion. The Cubs winning the finale evened the season series at 4-4. Remember, there are no more one-game playoffs to break ties, instead the season series will do that. So whoever wins that series Aug. 18-21 will have the tiebreaker.

THIRD BASE: Contreras homers twice

One piece that has been missing in the Brewers' offense has been the typically productive bat of catcher William Contreras. That was one of the few bright spots Wednesday as Contreras homered twice, once to left and the other to right. It was his first two-homer game of the year – and first homer since June 14 – boosting his season total to eight after hitting 23 last season. Getting him on track would certainly give a boost to a power-starved lineup. Also, it didn't get any attention during the broadcast, but it appeared that Contreras tweaked his back when stretching to reach first base following a grounder to third base. Contreras could be seen rubbing the left side of his back, which potentially was wrenched when he hit the bag. Contreras was called out on the play, which was upheld via replay review. Considering Contreras, who leads MLB in games and innings caught, remained in the game, there doesn't seem much cause for concern. He should be fine for this weekend. Newcomer Danny Jansen, who pinch-hit in the ninth inning, could see a start Friday behind the plate.

HOME PLATE: Wild Freddy

Pitching at American Family Field usually means Freddy Peralta is going to pitch a gem. This was the opposite of that. Peralta needed 85 pitches to get through four innings, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks, striking out three. The right-hander entered the game with a sparkling 12-4 record – tied for the MLB lead in wins – and 2.81 ERA overall, including 7-0 with a 1.55 ERA at Am Fam. Walks were the big issue, with Peralta issuing four free passes for the second time this season (also April 13 vs. Arizona). Two of those four walks came in that key four-run third inning.