Cubs vs Brewers Prediction 5/18/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Brewers prediction for this MLB game on Monday, May 18th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 29-18 this year after they lost two out of three against the White Sox by scores of 10-5, 3-8, and 8-9. In game three, Chicago erased a 7-4 deficit in the ninth inning, but they allowed two runs in the 10th for the loss. The Cubs recorded nine hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Conforto, who went 2-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Rea allowed six hits and four earned runs over 4.2 innings, while Rolison picked up the loss in relief. Prior to that series, Chicago lost two out of three against the Braves and two out of three against the Rangers. 

This season, Chicago has a 3.99 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while they have scored 241 runs with a .246 batting average and a .343 on base percentage. Nico Hoerner has led the Cubs with four home runs and 29 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added six home runs and 25 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who is 4-3 with a 2.32 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP over 54.1 innings pitched this year. 

Milwaukee Brewers Betting Preview

The Milwaukee Brewers are 26-18 this season after they won two out of three against the Twins by scores of 3-2, 2-1, and 4-5. In game three, Milwaukee tied the game in the fifth, but they allowed the next two runs for the loss. The Brewers recorded 10 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Bauers, who went 2-4 with one RBI. Gasser allowed three hits and two earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Anderson allowed one earned run for the loss. Prior to that series, Milwaukee won two out of three against the Padres and all three against the Yankees. 

This season, Milwaukee has a 3.29 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .225 opponent batting average, while they have scored 218 runs with a .244 batting average and a .333 on base percentage. Brice Turang has led the Brewers with six home runs and 27 RBIs, while Jake Bauers has added six home runs and 23 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Milwaukee is Brandon Sproat, who is 1-2 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over 36.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last 15 home games.
• The Brewers have lost each of their last seven night games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Brewers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven night games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last three night games following an extra innings loss.
• The Brewers have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games at Wrigley Field.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last four night games against the Brewers at Wrigley Field.

Why the Milwaukee Brewers will win

• The Brewers have won each of their last seven games as road underdogs against the Cubs following a road loss.
• The Cubs have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
• The Brewers have covered the run line in each of their last 16 games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven home games against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
• The Brewers have led after 3 innings in six of their last eight games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Brewers have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Brewers’ last five night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Cubs’ last six night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Brewers and Cubs.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Brewers’ last 10 night games against National League opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last three Monday games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in each of his last three home appearances.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in eight of his nine previous home appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 11 night games.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T8th in the league in Steals (12) this season.

Milwaukee Brewers Player Prop Facts

• Gary Sanchez has hit a home run in three of his last four road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Sal Frelick has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 road appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Brice Turang ranks 5th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.409) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (221).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.343).
• The Brewers rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (30).
• The Brewers rank 1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (34).

Cubs vs Brewers Prediction 

Milwaukee comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games and they have allowed three runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Brewers are 11-9 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 18-5 at home. Chicago has split their last four games, but they have allowed 17 runs in their last two. The Cubs are starting Imanaga, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight outings, while Sproat has allowed 3+ earned runs in three of his last four. Take the Cubs -1.5 here.