The Milwaukee Brewers are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Game 0 of their NL Central doubleheader. The matchup can be viewed across the country on ESPN. The game gets underway 7:08 p.m. ET.
Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 23-14 straight up (SU) and 18-18 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 3.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.1 units ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Brewers are 24-17 SU and have gone 20-20 against the spread. Overall, the club has gained 7.8 units for moneyline gamblers through the early portions of the year, but have lost 0.8 units ATS. Milwaukee’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 20-15-1 so far in 2019. Milwaukee has been a decent under bet with a total record of 16-23-1.
The right-handed Jhoulys Chacin is projected to start for the visiting Brewers. Chacin is 3-3 with a 5.03 ERA and 29 strikeouts. This is his first outing against Chicago this year. He did make five starts against the Cubs in 2018, compiling a 2-2 record against them with a 1.59 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
The Cubs are planning to start lefty Jon Lester (2-1, 1.41 ERA), who’s got 33 strikeouts and seven walks to his credit as well as a WHIP of 1.03. Lester made two starts against the team in 2018, posting a 1-1 record in 2018, compiling a 1-1 record with a 2.31 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
Milwaukee’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.72 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.01, along with a WHIP of 1.42 and a K-per-9 of 9.72.
Brewers hitters have slashed .242/.325/.430 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Milwaukee’s hitters have been paced by outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. Yelich is slashing .341/.455/.762 with 16 home runs, 37 RBIs, 32 runs and seven steals. Cain is hitting .245 with four homers, 17 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.1 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starters have a 3.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.87 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.9 K/9. In 11 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 4.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.56.
The Chicago hitters have produced 5.5 runs per outing, including 5.9 per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .214/.327/.370 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Shortstop Javier Baez and catcher Willson Contreras have led the charge for the Cubs’ offense this year. Baez is hitting .316/.351/.620 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and 31 runs scored, while the line for Contreras stands at .315/.430/.640 with 10 homers, 23 RBIs and 23 runs.
The Brewers have gained 4.7 units and are 8-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to eight that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 2.9 units and are 14-13 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under.
Brewers at Cubs Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Brewers, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in just two of Milwaukee’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have won four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has posted 21.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.6 over its last five.
- The Brewers have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 16 over their last 10.
- The Brewers have a total OPS of .756 this season, including an OPS of .805 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS sits at .804 overall and .772 against southpaws.
