Cubs-Brewers Preview

Around this time last season, the Chicago Cubs were basking in their second straight NL Central title as they headed to Miller Park while the Milwaukee Brewers were fighting for a playoff spot.

They meet for the final time this year with little to play for but franchise milestones. Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley won't even have that opportunity as the teams begin a three-game series Monday night.

Chicago ended its 97-win season with a three-game set at Miller Park last Sept 26-28. The Brewers' 3-1 win in the finale allowed them to earn the wild card berth and play in the postseason for the first time since 1982.

The Cubs (76-72), who have lost four of five, enter this series trailing wild-card leader Colorado by eight games and are 10 behind St. Louis in the NL Central. Winners of five in a row, Milwaukee (74-75) is 10 1/2 back of the Rockies and will be eliminated from the division race with a loss or a Cardinals win.

Both teams, however, are trying to secure third consecutive winning seasons. The Cubs haven't accomplished that feat since a six-year winning run from 1967-72, and the Brewers have only done it once -- from 1978-1983.

Chicago will have to do it without the mercurial Bradley, who was suspended for the season Sunday and might not return next year. While the right fielder has had a number of incidents this season and over his 10-year career, general manager Jim Hendry said Bradley's comments to a suburban newspaper were the last straw.

When asked if he enjoyed his first season with the Cubs, Bradley told the Arlington Heights Daily Herald, "Not really. It's just not a positive environment. ... You understand why they haven't won in 100 years here, because it's negative," He added, "It's everything. It's everybody."

After signing a three-year deal worth $30 million in January, he also complained of his treatment from Cubs fans. Bradley was often booed -- sometimes vehemently -- for his lapses in the outfield, and for hitting .257 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs in 124 games.

"You see him putting blame on everybody else, and sometimes you have to look in the mirror and realize maybe the biggest problem is yourself," pitcher Ryan Dempster told Chicago's official Web site. "It didn't seem like he wanted to have very much fun, even from spring training."

As they ready to end their 101st season without a World Series title, the Cubs will try to begin a final winning push with Tom Gorzelanny (5-2, 5.29 ERA) making his first start since Aug. 20. The left-hander, pitching in place of Rich Harden, is 2-1 with a 4.82 ERA in four starts since being acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh on July 30.

Gorzelanny, however, lost both outings at Miller Park last season with the Pirates while posting a 12.54 ERA. He's 3-3 with a 4.92 ERA in nine lifetime starts against Milwaukee.

The Brewers will counter with Braden Looper (13-6, 4.89), who beat the Cubs in his previous start Wednesday night at Wrigley Field to set a career high for victories. Despite allowing five runs and nine hits over five innings, Looper extended his winning streak to three in the 9-5 victory.

Looper is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three matchups this season against Chicago and 4-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 11 career starts.