After taking the first three games of the road series, the Milwaukee Brewers (69-46) seek to complete the four-game sweep against the Chicago Cubs (52-64) Thursday afternoon. First pitch for the finale is at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. Let’s analyze the lines around the Brewers vs. Cubs odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff (7-6, 2.23 ERA) makes his 23rd start of the season. He has a league-best 0.89 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9 through 137 1/3 IP.
- Woodruff has not won a decision since June 29, and the Brewers have lost five of his last six starts. The Milwaukee offense has scored just two runs or less in four of those games.
- This will be his fifth start of the year against the Cubs. The Brewers are 3-1 in his previous four starts against them. Woodruff is 2-0 with a 0.72 ERA over 25 innings against them.
Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (13-4, 3.68 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 through 134 2/3 IP.
- Hendricks leads the league in both wins and hits allowed.
- He has won 11 straight decisions. The last time he picked up a loss was May 9. That said, the Cubs are 4-4 in his last eight starts.
Brewers at Cubs odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Brewers -220 (bet $220 to win $100) | Cubs +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread/ATS: Brewers -1.5 (-135) | Cubs +1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: 9.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Prediction
Brewers 4, Cubs 3
Money line (ML)
The Brewers have won all three games of the series so far outscoring the Cubs 20-5, and they have won 12 of 15 against them this season. The Brewers are 11-4 in their last 15 games overall.
The Cubs have lost their last seven games overall and 13 of their last 15 games. They have lost nine in a row at Wrigley Field.
Of all the pitchers to have on the mound to end the streak, Hendricks is the guy, but Woodruff has been too good against the Cubs.
Take the BREWERS (-220).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Brewers are 65-50 ATS overall this season, the second-best mark in all of baseball, and they are a league-best 38-18 ATS on the road. In their 12 wins over the Cubs this season, they have failed to cover the spread only once.
The Cubs are 61-55 ATS overall but 26-32 ATS at home. They have failed to cover the spread in their last six games. It is the longest stretch they have gone all season without covering.
Take the CUBS +1.5 (+110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Only four of 12 games between the two teams this season have finished with totals of 10 or more runs.
50% of games at Wrigley Field this season have hit the Over.
Only three of the Brewers’ last 11 games finished with 10 runs or more.
Only four of Hendricks’ last 14 starts and only two of Woodruff’s last nine finished with 10 or more runs.
Take UNDER 9.5 (-130).
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