(SportsNetwork.com) - The Milwaukee Brewers are no longer in the postseason hunt and will play for pride, as they kick off a three-game series versus the Chicago Cubs Friday at Miller Park.
The Brewers were eliminated from the playoff race with Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a three-game series. Rickie Weeks homered and scored two runs and Yovani Gallardo was dealt the loss in the start, charged with five runs -- three earned -- and 10 hits in five innings.
"I thought we were going to play well today and were sloppy," noted Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke, who presided over his club's swift fall from NL Central leaders thanks to an 8-20 record since Aug. 25.
Milwaukee became the fifth team in MLB's divisional era to spend at least 150 days in first place and fail to secure a playoff berth.
Jimmy Nelson gets the call for the Brewers Friday and is 2-8 with a 4.57 earned run average. Nelson hasn't prevailed since Aug. 5 and is winless (0-6) in his previous eight appearances. He pitched one-third of an inning in a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Sept. 18 and gave up the go-ahead run and three hits.
Nelson, a right-hander, is 1-5 at home this season and 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three career games (1 start) against the Cubs.
The Cubs will close out the season on the road and went 6-4 on their final homestand, which was capped with two wins in three games versus St. Louis.
Jake Arrieta had a busy day with a two-run triple in the fourth inning and 10 strikeouts over seven strong frames. Arrieta allowed two hits and an unearned run for the win, his 10th of the season (10-5).
"To pitch well against (the Cardinals) at this time of the season is meaningful," Arrieta said. "It's another positive thing to use in the offseason."
Pedro Strop threw a scoreless eighth inning and Hector Rondon worked the ninth for his 27th save. Chris Valaika had an RBI single in the eighth.
Eric Jokisch was an early September callup and will make his first major league start for Chicago Friday. He has made three relief appearances so far and went 9-10 with a 3.58 ERA in 26 starts at Triple-A Iowa.
The Cubs have a slim 9-7 edge over the Brewers this season and swept a three- game series at home from Sept. 1-3. Chicago has won five of the last six meetings between the Central foes.
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