Brewers aren't taking new-look Cubs for granted

The Chicago Cubs certainly didn’t expect to be in this position – out of the playoff picture and having traded away their best players  – in mid-September but Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said the first-place Brewers were taking nothing for granted entering the three-game series.

“I think they've scored some runs,” Counsell said of the different-look Cubs. “That's the one thing you notice, for sure. They've done a good job scoring some runs.

“(Frank) Schwindel's been a good offensive add for them. (Patrick) Wisdom's having a good year. (Jason) Heyward had been swinging the bat really well before he went on the injured list (with a concussion). They've been swinging the bats well and scoring some runs. That's the biggest thing you see.”

The Brewers entered the series with a magic number of four to clinch a postseason berth and five to win the NL Central, and Counsell said the approach is business as usual.

“Nothing has been accomplished yet,” he said. “We’ve got some work to do, so our focus is this weekend. That (postseason preparation) is not relevant at this point. When, if, it’s relevant, we’ll put some thought into it. But, right now, we’re putting some thought in trying to beat the Cubs.”