The Chicago Cubs are making a road trip to Miller Park to do battle against their NL Central nemesis Milwaukee Brewers. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the matchup. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers Odds
Vegas has listed Milwaukee (-135) as the favorite over Chicago (+115). Bettors can gamble on the game’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 9 runs and -115 for under 9. Runline odds stand at -130 for betting the Cubs -1.5 runs and +120 for the Brewers +1.5 runs.
The Cubs have gone 2-3 SU this year and are 2-3 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.4 units for moneyline gamblers over the early part of the season and 1.8 units ATS. The Brewers are 4-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. They’ve gained 2.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 0.6 units ATS.
Brewers games have an over/under record of 3-2 so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 2-3.
The Cubs have lost 4.0 units and are 0-2 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in zero of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Brewers have netted 2.0 units and are 1-1 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in one of those games, as opposed to one that’ve cashed the under.
Jon Lester (0-0, 8.10 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Lester struck out 180 hitters over 180 innings last year (32 starts) while finishing the season 13-8 overall with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
The Brewers have tabbed lefty Brent Suter (1-0, 5.40 ERA) as their starter. Suter started 14 games last year and finished the season 3-2 overall with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He made two starts against the Cubs a year ago and compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.29 ERA and eight strikeouts.
As a unit, Milwaukee’s pitching staff has yielded 4.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 6.07 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 1.32 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In three games against divisional foes, Brewers starters have an ERA of 7.63 and the bullpen’s ERA is 0.77.
The Milwaukee offense is putting up 4.3 runs per contest so far this season and the team’s hit .268/.318/.430 to begin the year.
Outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich have led the Brewers’ batters this year. Cain is hitting .360/.429/.600 with nine hits, four RBIs and four runs scored, while Yelich’s line is .385/.407/.577 with 10 hits, five RBIs and six runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .300/.363/.440, Cain did not perform very well against lefties at home last season, slashing .234/.290/.328 over 69 such plate appearances.
For the visitors, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starters own a 5.61 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 5.96 K/9. The bullpen has an outstanding ERA of just 0.69, along with a K-per-9 of 7.96.
The Cubs offense has slashed .204/.310/.352 on its way to 3.8 runs scored per game in 2018.
Third baseman Kris Bryant and left fielder Kyle Schwarber have led Chicago’s offense. Bryant is slashing .333/.481/.619 with seven hits, four RBIs and four runs scored, while Schwarber is hitting .294 with five hits, two homers, three RBIs and three runs scored.
Bryant seemed to enjoy hitting lefty pitching on the road last year, maintaining a slash line of .348/.488/.561 across 84 such plate appearances (his overall season line was .295/.409/.537).
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Cubs went 10-9 SU against the Brewers in 2017.
The Cubs have lost three of their last four games SU
The Brewers’ bullpen managed 4.15 ERA against the Cubs last year.
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