Brewers top MLB power rankings ahead of series finale showdown with Cubs at Wrigley Field

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to lead Major League Baseball this season, sitting atop The Athletic's (The New York Times) collective power rankings with an 85-53 record — the only team to average a No. 1 ranking among the outlet's panel of writers. Since the trade deadline, Milwaukee has gone 16-10.

Trade deadline grades

The Athletic gives the Brewers a B- grade for their trade deadline moves. Not everything has panned out: pitchers Antonio Senzatela and Dustin May have underwhelmed, and JoJo Romero has yet to make his Milwaukee debut while recovering from an appendectomy. On the other hand, young pitcher Logan Henderson has emerged as a standout for the club.

By comparison, the Chicago Cubs also bolstered their roster over the summer but have slipped from third to sixth in the rankings (average 6.0, record 78-60). Chicago's deadline additions earned a B+ grade — pitcher Clay Holmes has posted a 1.55 ERA in five starts with the Cubs, while Kevin Gausman has been less consistent.

Tonight's game at Wrigley Field

The two teams close out their I-94 rivalry series on Thursday evening, September 3, with first pitch at 7:15 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago (TV: FOX). According to Covers.com, the Brewers enter as modest road favorites — betting market figures vary by source and calculation method, putting Milwaukee's win probability around 50.7%, 53.5% or 54.5%, while the Cubs are given roughly a 51.2% chance.

The pitching matchup favors Milwaukee: Logan Henderson (9-2, 2.48 ERA) has allowed just three runs over his past three starts, while Chicago's Kevin Gausman (8-11, 4.52 ERA) has been shakier, giving up three or more runs in three of his last five outings.

Both offenses have been productive lately — the first three games of the series produced 47 combined runs — so oddsmakers are also expecting a high-scoring affair, with the over/under set around 8.5 runs. Brewers second baseman Brice Turang, who has hit 16 of his 17 home runs this season against right-handed pitchers, is highlighted as a potential home run threat tonight. Weather conditions in Chicago are expected to be neutral, around 71 degrees with light wind.

The Brewers have won 13 of their last 19 games, underscoring their strong form heading into the stretch run.