Brewers Leadoff: The Cubs return to Milwaukee with postseason implications

With just 18 games left in the 2026 regular season, the Brewers have a seven-game lead on the Chicago Cubs. While the teams split their series last week, expect the near-postseason level tension to return to Milwaukee this week, as the Cubs come back to American Family Field for their final series with the Brewers before the end of the season slate. Milwaukee also comes into the week just ten wins away from matching a franchise record for wins in a season, eyeing up last year's 97-win slate. While it's certainly doable, Pat Murphy's team will look to one milestone at a time, hoping to wrap up the NL Central before looking at any team records. Here's what lies ahead for the Brewers: All eyes are on American Family Field beginning on Labor Day, as the Cubs return to Milwaukee for a crucial series with postseason implications. While Milwaukee is inching towards wrapping up the division, the Cubs are looking to maintain their Wild Card spot, and there's no shortage of emotions when the Brewers/Cubs rivalry has some added weight to it. Robert Gasser gets the ball for Milwaukee on Labor Day to start, and The Miz will make an appearance against Chicago one last time before a potential postseason matchup. Game times: The Cincinnati Reds come to town for the weekend, with the Brewers looking to get a series back after the Reds took one from them last week. While it won't have as much tension as the Cubs series to start the week, expect Milwaukee to look to pick up games on Chicago with the weekend series, as well as help establish Dustin May as part of the six-man rotation. Game times: