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The Chicago Cubs (82-77) and Milwaukee Brewers (90-69) lift the lid on a 3-game NL Central series Friday. First pitch at American Family Field is slated for 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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: tied 5-5
The Cubs arrive in Milwaukee fresh off being swept in a 3-game set at the Atlanta Braves. Chicago has lost 8 straight away from Wrigley Field, and that timing certainly isn’t good. The Cubs enter this series a half-game behind the Miami Marlins for the 3rd-and-final NL Wild Card berth.
The NL Central-champion Brewers enter this series off back-to-back wins and are 13-7 over their last 20 games. Milwaukee sports a slightly below-average to begin with, but the Brewers have struggled their way to a .616 OPS over their last 5 games.
Cubs at Brewers projected starters
RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Colin Rea
Hendricks (6-8, 3.66 ERA) is tabbed for his 24th start this season. He owns a 1.18 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 through 132 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 8-6 loss vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Sept. 21
- 2023 Road stats: 3-3, 3.08 ERA in 61 1/3 IP across 10 starts
- 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 188 IP across 33 career starts against the Brewers
Rea (6-6, 4.74 ERA) makes his 22nd start and 26th appearance. He has a 1.22 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 through 119 2/3 IP.
- Has made 3 relief appearances since his last start Sept. 8.
- Owns a 2.79 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 19 1/3 IP in September.
- 2023 home stats: 2-4, 5.19 ERA in 60 1/3 IP across 11 starts and 3 relief appearances
- Only other career start vs. Cubs was in 2016.
- Has benefited this season from a .258 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and a .230 BABIP with runners in scoring position.
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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 updated at 7:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Cubs -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Brewers -105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+150) | Brewers +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Cubs at Brewers picks and predictions
Prediction
Brewers 4, Cubs 3
Moneyline
The Cubs are a team lean overall, but the pitching here levels things a bit. No value to be had.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Cubs -1.5 would be worth perhaps a partial-unit play at +160, but PASS on the current offering.
Over/Under
The Over has cashed in 4 of the last 5 Cubs-Brewers games in Milwaukee.
Hendricks has benefited from a .282 BABIP for the season. Add in Rea’s helping numbers above, and both hurlers are in fade mode. Milwaukee owns an unsubstantiated 2.01 ERA this month (helped by a .247 BABIP).
BACK THE OVER 8 (-105).
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