The Chicago Cubs have dominated their NL Central and northern neighbors Milwaukee Brewers thus far in 2018. The teams close out a three-games series at Miller Park on Wednesday afternoon, and it’s a near pick’em on the MLB odds.
Prior to Monday’s series opener, the Brewers activated 1B Eric Thames from the 10-day disabled list. Thames missed the last six weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb, but he showed he was healthy by going 6-for-14 with a home run during a brief rehab assignment. Thames probably won’t play every day for a while with replacement 1B Jesus Aguilar playing so well. Thames could see some time in the outfield.
Outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain rank 11th and 15th, respectively, among National League outfielders in the first All-Star voting results announced by MLB. Both are among the NL leaders in on-base percentage and runs. The Brewers had been 21-0 this season in games where fire-balling lefty Josh Hader pitches, but he gave up the tying run in the eighth inning Monday and Milwaukee lost the game.
How to Bet Cubs at Brewers MLB Odds & Game Info
When: Wednesday, 2:10 PM ET Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee Probable pitchers (away/home): Mike Montgomery/Jhoulys Chacin TV: MLB Extra Innings Radio: 670 AM (Chicago) / 1310 AM (Milwaukee) Opening MLB Odds: Cubs -113, Brewers +103 (9)Why Bet on Chicago’s MLB Odds?
The Cubs took over first place in the NL Central and improved to 8-1 against the Brewers this year with 7-2 victory in 11 innings Monday that felt a little like a playoff game – if such a thing exists in June. Trailing 2-1 most of the night, the Cubs scored six times over the last four innings against the Brewers’ formidable bullpen. Cubs relievers tossed five scoreless innings, with Randy Rosario (3-0) retiring all six batters he faced for the win. The Cubs have won seven straight games against the Brewers (entering Tuesday) for the second time in franchise history, eclipsed by a nine-game winning streak, July 30-Sept. 22, 2015.Who Well Have the Players Done So Far in the Series?
Albert Almora went 3-for-6 with two RBI and a run scored Monday. Almora gave the Cubs their first run of the night with an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning and then provided some insurance with another RBI single in Chicago’s five-run 11th inning. He’s slashing .323/.374/.441 in 58 games this season and getting regular looks out of the leadoff spot. Jason Heyward went 3-for-6 with three RBI Monday and his surge continues. Heyward hit a game-tying RBI single off tough left-hander Josh Hader in the top of the eighth inning and then drove in two more runs on a double to left-center in the Cubs’ five-run top of the 11th inning. Heyward’s OPS has risen to .760, which would be his highest such mark in a Cubs uniform. Heyward is hitting .407 (22-for-54) with six runs and a .992 OPS in his last 12 games since May 29. Heyward is batting .320 (32-for-100) on the road this season, the second-best mark on the team (Ben Zobrist, .354). The Cubs remain without their top setup man in Carl Edwards Jr. but he played catch Tuesday. It was his first time throwing since he landed on the disabled list at the end of last month with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Edwards should have a shot to return before the end of the month.Who Will Take the Mound for the Cubs?
It’s lefty Mike Montgomery here; he’s only in the rotation because Yu Darvish is hurt, but Montgomery has been great. The lefty improved to 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA after surrendering one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out one across six innings Friday as he picked up the win against the Pirates. In all three starts this season, he’s allowed one run or fewer. Montgomery will be making his 14th career appearance, and fifth start, against the Brewers. He’s 1-5 with a 6.04 ERA (19 ER/28.1 IP) in his previous 13 outings.Why Bet on Milwaukee’s MLB Odds?
Prior to Monday’s series opener, the Brewers activated 1B Eric Thames from the 10-day disabled list. Thames missed the last six weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb, but he showed he was healthy by going 6-for-14 with a home run during a brief rehab assignment. Thames probably won’t play every day for a while with replacement 1B Jesus Aguilar playing so well. Thames could see some time in the outfield.
Outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain rank 11th and 15th, respectively, among National League outfielders in the first All-Star voting results announced by MLB. Both are among the NL leaders in on-base percentage and runs. The Brewers had been 21-0 this season in games where fire-balling lefty Josh Hader pitches, but he gave up the tying run in the eighth inning Monday and Milwaukee lost the game.
Who Will Take the Bump for the Brewers on Wednesday?
It’s Jhoulys Chacin (5-1, 3.58) on the bump here. Chacin allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across 6.1 innings as he picked up the win Friday against Philadelphia. Chacin cruised through three scoreless innings before surrendering a run in the fourth and three more in the seventh, although the Brewers had already jumped out to an 11-run lead. He’s collected a victory in his last two outings, as he’s allowed four runs and struck out 12 over 12 innings. The Brewers have now won nine of the last 10 games started by Chacin, who has a 2.92 ERA in his past 11. The decision to sign Chacin over free agents of a higher profile, such as Yu Darvish or Lance Lynn, has paid off. In a busy offseason that included the arrival of Cain and Yelich, Chacin’s presence in the rotation has been one of the most consistent aspects of the first third of the season.Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Cubs is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 games
- Cubs is 9-3 SU in the last 12 games
- The total went UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games
- Milwaukee is 2-5 ATS in the last 7 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
- Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in the last 8 games at home
- The total went UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee’s last 9 games
