The Milwaukee Brewers will pay a visit to Wrigley Field to do battle against their division foe Chicago Cubs. The matchup will get underway at 8:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago to catch the action.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 83-59 straight up (SU) and 72-70 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t strayed too far from expectations, gaining 2.8 units for moneyline bettors and 1.4 units (ATS). Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven. The Brewers are 82-62 SU and have gone 73-70 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 14.6 units for moneyline gamblers, but have lost 1.3 units ATS. Milwaukee’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Chicago games have had an over/under record of 65-74-3 in 2018. The Brewers have an over/under record of 69-70-4.
Southpaw Wade Miley is projected to start for Milwaukee. Miley (3-2, 2.12 ERA) has recorded 44 punchouts in 63.2 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are sending lefty Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53 ERA) to the mound. Lester has 126 strikeouts and 56 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.32. Lester is 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Milwaukee this year.
Milwaukee’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.97 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.83 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.77, along with a K/9 of 10.12.
Brewers hitters have slashed .251/.323/.419 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain have paced Milwaukee’s hitters. Yelich is slashing .316/.381/.557 with 28 home runs, 86 RBIs, 98 runs and 17 steals, while Cain (.306/.399/.428) is up to 10 homers, 35 RBIs, 79 runs and 26 steals.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 3.96 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.39 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.7 K/9. In 63 games against divisional opponents, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.47 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.91.
The Chicago hitters have produced 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .257/.321/.363 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the Cubs’ offense this year. Baez is slashing .294/.325/.566 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 89 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Rizzo’s line is .284/.381/.485 with 24 homers, 91 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
The Brewers have lost 1.6 units and are 17-20 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 22 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 3.0 units and are 16-14 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 15 of those games, as opposed to 15 which went under the total.
Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Brewers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Milwaukee has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Chicago has 12 XBH over its last five.
- The Brewers have won six of their last seven games SU.
- Milwaukee has recorded 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 18.6 over its last five.
- The Brewers have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 10 over their last 10.
