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The Chicago Cubs (27-26) and Milwaukee Brewers (30-22) open a 4-game series Monday at American Family Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Brewers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 2-1
The Cubs have dropped 4 in a row, including a 4-3 loss at the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball as +134 underdogs. Chicago has been outscored 23-11 during the losing skid. The offense has really had a problem plating runs, posting just 32 runs across the past 12 outings since May 13, good for just 2.7 runs per game (RPG). The Under is 8-4 during the 12-game stretch.
The Brewers suffered a 2-1 loss as +127 underdogs in an interleague series finale on the road against the Boston Red Sox Sunday. However, Milwaukee won 2 of the 3 games and the Under has cashed in 4 straight outings for the Brew Crew.
Milwaukee has won 7 of the past 10 games, winning each of the previous 3 series. the Over is 6-2-1 in the past 9 games at home. The last time the Brewers failed to win a series at home was April 26-28 against the New York Yankees.
This series marks the Milwaukee return of skipper Craig Counsell, who was hired away by the Cubs in the offseason after he managed the Brewers for 9 seasons.
Cubs at Brewers projected starters
LHP Justin Steele vs. LHP Robert Gasser
Steele (0-2, 5.68 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 25 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 9-2 home victory vs. Atlanta Braves Wednesday
- 2024 road splits: 0-0, 7.27 ERA (8 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.38 WHIP, .273 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 3 BB, 9 K across 2 starts
Gasser (2-0, 2.65 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 0.5 BB/9 and 3.2 K/9 in 17 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 4 ER (5 R), 10 H, 0 BB, 0 K in 7-5 win at Miami Marlins Tuesday
- 2024 home splits: 2-0, 0.82 ERA (11 IP, 1 ER), 0.82 WHIP, .205 OBA, 1 BB, 6 K in 2 starts
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Cubs at Brewers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:09 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Brewers -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+165) | Brewers +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cubs at Brewers picks and predictions
Prediction
Brewers 5, Cubs 2
Moneyline
The BREWERS (-115) are a good option at home in this series opener against the rival Cubs (-105).
The southpaw Gasser is making his 4th career start, and his 3rd in front of the hometown fans. He has been solid in his 2 outings at AFF, allowing just a single run while scattering 8 hits across 11 innings. Gasser doesn’t have overpowering stuff, and is a low-strikeout pitcher, but he has deceptive stuff.
The Cubbies have dropped 4 of the past 5 games on the road, and they’re 1-5 in the past 6 games inside the division, too.
Run line/Against the spread
The Brewers +1.5 (-200) will cost 2 times your potential return. If you like Milwaukee to win outright, just play it straight up.
Otherwise, AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER (-105) is the lean in this battle between NL Central rivals, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Cubs have struggled to score runs lately, and that isn’t likely to change. The Under is 5-2 in the past 7 games, and 4-1 in the past 5 on the road.
The Brewers have seen the total go low in 4 in a row, too, while splitting in the past 4 games at home.
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