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The Milwaukee Brewers (32-23) and Chicago Cubs (28-28) play the finale of a 4-game set Thursday at American Family Field Thursday. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Brewers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 3-3
The Cubs have lost 6 of their last 7, including Wednesday’s 10-6 setback as -141 road favorites. They lost the opener of this series 5-1 but won 6-3 Tuesday. SP Shota Imanaga picked up his loss of the season with Thursday’s defeat. The Cubs are 28-28 against the spread (ATS) on the season and 13-17 straight up on the road.
The Brewers, who moved to 14-10 at home with the Wednesday’s victory, have won 4 of their last 6 games. They have scored at least 5 runs in the 4 victories. Milwaukee has won 4 of its last 5 at home, and it is 17-14 straight up following a win. The Brewers are 32-23 ATS on the season.
Cubs at Brewers projected starters
RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Colin Rea
Taillon (3-2, 2.58 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 through 38 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 7-6 loss at St. Louis Cardinals Saturday
- 2024 road splits: 0-1, 3.18 ERA (17 IP, 6 ER), 20 H, 3 HR, 5 BB, 6 K in 3 starts
- Career vs. Brewers: 4-7, 3.10 ERA (78 1/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.21 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 14 starts and 1 relief appearances
Rea (4-2, 3.98 ERA) makes his 10th start and 11th appearance. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 through 54 1/3 innings.
- Last outing (took over from “opener” in 2nd inning): Win, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K in 6-3 win at Boston Red Sox Saturday,
- Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 5 K in 9-4 defeat at Houston Astros May 19
- 2024 home splits: 2-1, 3.38 ERA (24 IP, 9 ER), 21 H, 4 HR, 6 BB, 17 K in 4 starts
- Career vs. Cubs: 0-0, 3.60 ERA (10 IP, 4 ER), 1.30 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 2 starts
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Cubs at Brewers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Rea -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+150) | Rea +1.5 (-182)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -120 | U: -102)
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Cubs at Brewers picks and predictions
Prediction
Brewers 4, Cubs 3
Moneyline
BET BREWERS (-118).
Milwaukee has been solid at home and is one of the best teams in the MLB in its division. It has the 6th-best win rate in divisional games at 15-8. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 6-9 in NL Central battles.
The Brewers have won outright in 4 of Rea’s last 6 starts as well. While Taillon is a strong option for Chicago, the Cubs have lost 3 straight games in which he has started.
Considering those trends, back BREWERS (-118).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The Cubs -1.5 (+150) as favorites here, especially how they’ve played with Taillon on the mound as of late, is too risky — having to win by at least 2 runs. Meanwhile, the Brewers +1.5 (-182) as home underdogs is far too expensive with the -182 juice.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8 (-102).
Both teams have trended Under as of late. The Brewers have scored 3 or fewer in 2 of their last 4 games and are 2-5 O/U in their last 7.
The Cubs are a similar story and have gone Under in 5 of their last 9. They are 24-30-2 O/U on the season. Both teams should have strong options on the mound as well with each pitcher having clocked a sub-4.00 ERA to start the season.
Back UNDER 8 (-102).
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