The Milwaukee Brewers face the Chicago Cubs Friday at Wrigley Field for a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Brewers-Cubs MLB betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Brewers at Cubs: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Brandon Woodruff vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks
Woodruff in 2019: 11-3, 3.62 ERA in 22 starts.
- 2019 vs. Cubs: 0-0, 9.00 ERA (4 ER, 4 IP) in one start.
- Career vs. Cubs: 0-0, 6.75 ERA (11 ER, 14 2/3 IP) in three starts.
Hendricks in 2019: 11-10, 3.46 ERA in 30 starts.
- 2019 vs. Brewers: 0-1, 4.00 ERA (4 ER, 9 IP) in two starts.
- Career vs. Brewers: 8-6, 3.08 ERA (41 ER, 119 2/3 IP) in 21 starts.
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Brewers at Cubs: Key injuries
The list of injuries for this one includes:
Brewers
- 2B Keston Hiura (arm) questionable
- SS Luis Urias (COVID-19) out
Cubs
- 3B Kris Bryant (back) probable
- 1B Anthony Rizzo (ribs) probable
Brewers at Cubs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Thursday at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Cubs 9, Brewers 5
Moneyline (ML)
Hendricks was very comfortable pitching in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field last season. In 2019, Hendricks was 6-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 14 starts at home compared to a 5-8 record with a 5.02 ERA in 16 road starts. Despite making fewer home appearances, Hendricks gave up six home runs and 21 earned runs in Chicago versus 13 home runs and 47 earned runs away from home.
Woodruff isn’t a bonafide ace and gets the Opening Day assignment because the Brewers’ rotation isn’t that strong. Woodruff had a good 2019 but he has struggled in his three career starts against the Cubs. Milwaukee won the season series in 2019, 10-9; however, they are just 2-6 in their last eight games at Wrigley.
I gave this out on a 4-team parlay Tuesday, so I LOVE THE CUBS (-125).
New to sports betting? A winning $125 bet on Chicago will return a profit of $100.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Chicago had a poor run line record in 2019 (76-86), but the Cubs have beaten the Brewers by two-plus runs in their last six victories over Milwaukee. Their lineup has more production—had more runs scored per game, hit more home runs and had a better slash line in 2019.
I LIKE the CUBS -1.5 (+160) to win by two or more runs. A winning $50 bet on Chicago’s run line will earn a profit of $80.
Over/Under (O/U)
We love the Cubs’ moneyline and like the run line so we have to take the OVER 8.5 (-110). Chicago returns most of a lineup Woodruff has struggled against. In 57 at-bats, the current Cubs lineup is hitting for a .277 batting average with a .404 OBP against Woodruff.
They are deep—several multiple-time all-stars, six 20-plus home run hitters and a former MVP in Bryant—and could build a big lead against a Brewers bullpen that was 17th in ERA in 2019
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