Cubs vs. Brewers Pick
Are the Milwaukee Brewers going to continue to have the visiting Chicago Cubs’ number when they open a four-game series Thursday night at 8:10PM EST?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cubs are a -130 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Brewers are a +110 underdog and the over-under is 8.5.
On the mound for Chicago will be Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.48 ERA), while the Brewers turn to Zach Davies (17-9, 3.89). Arrieta carries a 1.20 WHIP with 157 strikeouts in 160 1/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk over 2 1/3 innings in a 12-0 loss at the Pirates his last start September 4 before departing with a tight hamstring. Arrieta has a 3.82 ERA in 101 1/3 road innings. Davies holds a 1.34 WHIP with 121 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings. He gave up six earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and no walks over four innings in a 7-4 loss at the Marlins his last outing. Davies has been much worse at home, sporting a 6.05 ERA in 83 1/3 innings.
Chicago has an 84-67 record and is 38-35 on the road, while Milwaukee comes in at 81-71 and 41-33 at home. The Brewers have won six of the last 10 meetings including a sweep at Wrigley Field earlier this month. The over-under is 5-5 in those 10 games.
The Cubs had their seven-game win streak snapped with a 7-1 defeat at the Rays Wednesday night. Jon Lester took the loss as he allowed seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Jon Jay was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Milwaukee had its three-game win streak ended via a 6-4 defeat at the Pirates. Domingo Santana was 1-for-3 with his 27th home run plus two walks. Jesus Aguilar added a solo home run. Corey Knebel took the loss in relief.
Chicago traveled from Tampa Bay to Milwaukee overnight for this series and will likely be a tired bunch, though they know the importance of the series. Arrieta might show rust in his first start in two-and-a-half weeks and is expected to be on a pitch count of around 75-80. The Brewers are right on the Rockies’ tail for the second NL Wild Card spot and the crowd will be amped up for this one. Davies hasn’t been good at home, but trust his overall season numbers more than what he’s done in his home ballpark.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: MILWAUKEE BREWERS +110