The Milwaukee Brewers will face the Texas Rangers in a three-game series starting August 28, 2026, as they look to maintain their momentum with the best record in Major League Baseball.
Why it matters: The Brewers are currently leading the MLB with an impressive 83-51 record. With just four weeks left in the regular season, every game counts for both teams as they vie for playoff positions.
The Brewers have won 8 of their last 11 games, including a recent 8-2 victory over the New York Mets on August 27, 2026.
Texas, with a record of 66-68, is still in contention for the American League West title or a wild-card spot.
Milwaukee scored 16 runs in their last two games prior to facing the Rangers.
Driving the news: This series opener features left-hander Cody Bradford (0-2, 3.05 ERA) for the Rangers against the Brewers' Logan Henderson (8-2, 2.60 ERA). Both pitchers have contrasting recent performances heading into this matchup.
Bradford has struggled, allowing a 5.24 xERA in four starts this season, and a 5.75 xERA in his last two outings.
Henderson, on the other hand, has been stellar, boasting a 3.24 FIP across his last two starts and allowing just two earned runs during that span.
First pitch for the game is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET at American Family Field.
The big picture: The Brewers' offense has been red-hot, making them a formidable opponent for Bradford. Milwaukee's lineup has a 114 wRC+ and a .292 batting average over the last week, indicating their ability to produce runs consistently.
Jackson Chourio, who had a standout performance with two home runs and four RBIs against the Mets, has hit two homers in his last six games, contributing significantly to the Brewers' offensive success.
Chourio also holds an impressive 52.9% hard-hit rate, making him a key player to watch in this series.
The Brewers are favored to win, with betting odds showing a 63% chance of victory against the Rangers.
What they're saying: Rangers manager Skip Schumaker remains optimistic about his team's chances, stating, "We put ourselves in a little bit of a hole to start this road trip, but there's a lot of games left. The division, where it's at right now, we still have a chance." This sentiment reflects the urgency for Texas to turn their season around.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised Chourio's recent performance, noting, "He's just a good hitter, man. He's ready to hit every pitch, and that's what we like about him."
Murphy added that Chourio needed a day off to recharge, emphasizing the importance of managing player fatigue as the season progresses.
By the numbers: The statistical matchup highlights the Brewers' offensive prowess against the Rangers' pitching vulnerabilities.
Milwaukee's offense has averaged 16 runs over their last two games, showing their ability to score in bunches.
Bradford's recent outings have seen him allow a high 15.2% barrel rate, a concerning statistic against a team like the Brewers that can capitalize on such opportunities.
The Over/Under for the game is set at 7.5 runs, with a slight lean toward the Over at 51%.
What's next: As the series progresses, both teams will need to adapt to the outcomes of each game, especially with Texas aiming to regain momentum and Milwaukee looking to solidify their playoff positioning.
Following this series, the Rangers will continue their road trip, needing to secure wins to stay competitive in the playoff race.
The Brewers, if they maintain their current form, could extend their winning streak and strengthen their hold on the top seed in the National League.
Fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams bring their best to the field, with the stakes high for both sides.