The Milwaukee Brewers are set to take the field against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in the 0 game of their NL Central doubleheader. The matchup will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago.
Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Brewers are 23-16 SU and have gone 19-20 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 6.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in the season’s early going, despite having lost 1.8 units ATS. Milwaukee has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 22-13 SU and 17-17 ATS. They’ve gained 3.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.1 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 20-13-1 so far in 2019. Milwaukee has been a decent under bet with a total record of 16-22-1.
Gio Gonzalez is getting the start for the visiting Brewers. The left-handed Gonzalez is 0-0 with a 2.61 ERA and nine strikeouts. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Cubs are preparing to start lefty Jose Quintana (4-1, 3.40 ERA), who’s got 40 strikeouts and 11 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.29. Quintana is 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 24.00 ERA in one start against Milwaukee this year.
Milwaukee’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 8.89 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.23, along with a WHIP of 1.45.
The Brewers offense has slashed .247/.327/.439 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game this season, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Milwaukee’s offensive production has been fueled by outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. Yelich is slashing .356/.462/.797 with 16 home runs, 37 RBIs, 31 runs and seven steals, while Cain (.250/.310/.395) is up to four homers, 17 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff has yielded 4.1 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 3.36, a WHIP of 1.25 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.8. The bullpen has a 3.98 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In nine games against NL Central opponents, Cubs starters have an ERA of 4.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.86.
Chicago’s hitters have put up 5.7 runs per contest, including 7.0 per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .256/.367/.494 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Shortstop Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have paced the Cubs’ offense this year. Baez is slashing .320/.357/.639 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and 31 runs scored, while Rizzo’s line is .260/.380/.557 with 10 homers, 29 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
The Brewers have gained 3.6 units and are 7-4 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to seven that’ve gone under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 1.9 units and are 4-4 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in five of those games, as opposed to two that’ve gone under.
Brewers vs. Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Brewers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Milwaukee has logged 16 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Chicago has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Cubs have won 10 of their last 11 games SU.
- The Milwaukee defense has allowed three errors over the last five games, compared to eight errors for Chicago over its last five.
- The Brewers have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 20 over their last 10.
- The Brewers have a team OPS of .766 this season, including an OPS of .826 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS stands at .814 overall and .789 against southpaws.
