As teams across the MLB close in on the 100-game mark on the season, the race for playoff positions starts to become even more intense. We are seeing a lot of the divisions start to tighten up, with big leads suddenly starting to shrink with each passing day. We are also seeing Wild Card races that look as though they are going to go all the way to the final week of the season. This is particularly true in the National League, where things have become very interesting indeed. The NL West looks to be a bit of a lock, as the LA Dodgers are not showing any sign of slowing down.

Both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Arizona Diamondbacks are very much in the Wild Card hunt, although we also should not count the Brewers out of the NL Central division race, as they are certainly within close reach of the Chicago Cubs. This is a huge weekend series for both teams as they look to maintain their playoff challenges. It is the Diamondbacks who are favored by 1 ½ at home, with the run total set at 9 ½.

Brewers vs Diamondbacks MLB Odds, Game Info & Prediction

• When: Thursday, July 18 at 9:40 PM EST
• Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
• Starting Pitchers: Davies vs. Kelly
• TV: MLB Extra Innings
• Radio: ESPN 1320
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Arizona Diamondbacks -110 (Total 9.5)

Athletics vs Twins MLB Spread & Pick for Thursday Night

Why bet on the Milwaukee Brewers?

The Milwaukee Brewers are in a pretty decent position in that they would be in a playoff spot if the season were to end today. It doesn’t, though, with the Brewers being very well aware of just how slim the margins are in the National League. They are currently sitting at 50-47 on the season, which has them just 2 ½ games out of first in the Central.

While not a great overall record, the parity in the NL is keeping things close. The Brewers are in possession of the final Wild Card spot, but there are also 3 other teams, one of whom is the Arizona Diamondbacks, within a half-game of them. The Brewers are just 20-26 SU on the road, as well as being 24-22 ATS. They will have Zach Davies (7-2, 2.89 ERA) on the mound for this one.

Team Stats

Offense

• Runs: 4.81
• Hits: 8.53
• Walks: 3.77
• Strike Outs: 9.48

Defense

• Runs: 4.95
• Hits: 8.86
• Walks: 3.46
• Strike Outs: 9.29

Why bet on the Arizona Diamondbacks?

While winning the NL West looks like a bridge too far for the Diamondbacks, who are 14 games off the pace being set by the Dodgers, they have worked themselves into the Wild Card race quite nicely. They come into this series on the heels of back to back wins, which has taken them to 6-4 in the last 10 games and a half-game off the pace of the final playoff spot in the NL.

One of the issues for Arizona is that they have not been particularly effective at home, sitting 2 games below .500 at 20-22 in their own ballpark. They need to find a way to get back to winning at home if they are to be a part of the postseason. They will have Merrill Kelly (7-9, 3.93 ERA) on the mound on Thursday night.

Team Stats

Offense

• Runs: 5.21
• Hits: 9.19
• Walks: 3.08
• Strike Outs: 8.51

Defense

• Runs: 4.46
• Hits: 8.44
• Walks: 3.17
• Strike Outs: 8.71

Nationals vs Braves MLB Lines & Game Preview

Brewers vs Diamondbacks MLB Betting Trends

• Brewers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Arizona
• Diamondbacks are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 5 games against an opponent in the National League
• Brewers are 28-33 against the money line in night games this season
• Diamondbacks are 49-47 against the money line in all games this season
• Davies is 2-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.269

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Brewers vs Diamondbacks

This has all the makings of a fun series, not to mention one that looks very difficult to predict. The Brewers are coming off big back to back wins over the Atlanta Braves, so I like them to carry that momentum into this one.

Score: Milwaukee Brewers 4 – Arizona Diamondbacks 3