Milwaukee Brewers last-minute notes: How to watch Apple TV+, opener, lineup

The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs will face off for the first time this season on Friday night at American Family Field in Milwaukee. The Cubs enter the weekend series in first place in the National League Central, and while the Brewers are a game behind the second-place Cincinnati Reds, the two teams are largely expected to compete for the 2025 NL Central crown.

There's no shortage of storylines in the highly anticipated series. From the Cubs’ dominant offense leading them to an impressive first month to the Brewers treading water despite numerous injuries in their starting rotation to another reunion with former manager Craig Counsell, there will be plenty for fans to watch out for as the two teams square off in their first three games of the 2025 season.

Several smaller headlines are presenting themselves ahead of tonight’s game, which is set to begin at 7:10 p.m. CT. Here's a rundown of three smaller details to take note of prior to Friday night's series opener.

Friday night's game will only be broadcast on Apple TV+

Yes, even though Wisconsin-based Brewers fans who cut the cable cord were forced to purchase one streaming service in order to watch a majority of the games this season, to tune into Friday night's matchup with the Cubs, those fans will have to purchase another streaming service subscription, Apple TV+. Those fans who still have cable will also have to turn to Apple TV+ tonight as there won't be a broadcast through Fan Duel Sports Network Wisconsin. However, a radio broadcast of tonight's game will be available on WTMJ 620 and other associated radio networks.

Tyler Alexander will serve as an opener in tonight's game

Quinn Priester was scheduled to start for the Brewers in tonight's game, and while he will still be asked to cover bulk innings at some point in the game, he will not be the first pitcher that the opposing Cubs face. Lefty swiss-army-pitcher Tyler Alexander will instead open tonight's game for the Crew in an effort to neutralize the lefties at the top of Chicago's lineup. Throughout the season, Counsell has had switch-hitter Ian Happ leadoff followed by superstar Kyle Tucker into the two-hole regardless of the handedness of the opposing pitcher. While Happ has been better hitting from the right side than the left, Tucker's numbers are slightly worse against southpaws and he's the player that the Brewers most need to worry about.

Righty Seiya Suzuki and lefty Michael Busch generally follow the pair hitting third and fourth, respectively. Suzuki mashes left-handed pitchers, holding a 1.350 OPS against them this season, but Busch is far less effective against lefties than righties. Counsell will slide catcher Carson Kelly, who is having a surprisingly impressive season, into the cleanup spot when facing lefties. Tonight he makes the decision to roll out their lefty lineup, despite Alexander only serving as an opener. It remains to be seen how long Alexander will last, but if he has a quick first inning, expect him to remain in the game to face lefties, Busch and Pete-Crow Armstrong.

Isaac Collins gets the start over Jake Bauers in left field

The Brewers are going with their usual lineup for right-handed opposing pitchers, with the one notable inclusion being Isaac Collins. Collins left Wednesday's game against the White Sox after being hit in the elbow with a fastball. Jake Bauers got the start in left field in Thursday's series finale against the White Sox, giving Collins a day to rest his injured elbow. However, Collins, who has posted a 1.114 OPS in his last seven games, is ready to go for tonight’s matchup with the Cubs.