The Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers meet Thursday in MLB action from American Family Field. Here’s a Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs prediction. This will be the final installment in a four-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Cubs played the rival St. Louis Cardinals in their last series, but only got two games in. Chicago lost both of those 7-6 and 4-3. After a 5-1 loss to the Brewers on Monday, Chicago took a 6-3 win in game two. In the Wednesday matchup the Cubs took a loss 10-6. Starter Shota Imanaga lasted 4.1 innings with seven earned on eight hits and a walk.
It’ll be Jameson Taillon in the starting pitcher role for the Cubs on Thursday. This year Taillon is 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA in seven starts alongside 25 Ks in 38.1 innings. Taillon is 62-47 with a 3.95 career ERA in 180 games (179 starts). The Cubs will take on the Reds, White Sox, Reds, and Rays after this series.
Milwaukee Brewers Betting Preview
Over on the Brewers’ side, they took on the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Milwaukee won the first pair in that set 7-2 and 6-3 before a 2-1 Sunday loss. After splitting the first pair versus the Cubs, on Wednesday the Brewers scored five runs in the third inning alone. Bryse Wilson put up 4.0 innings in the start with three earned on six hits and two walks.
Colin Rea will take the mound for the starter role on Thursday for the Brewers. This year Rea is 4-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). He’s got 37 Ks in 54.1 innings. Rea is 18-16 with a 4.62 ERA in 72 career games (58 starts).
Cubs vs Brewers Injury Notes
Cubs SP Jordan Wicks (forearm) made a start for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.
Brewers 1B Rhys Hoskins (hamstring) could return from the injured list early next week in Philadelphia. RP Jakob Junis (shoulder/head) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Cubs’ last four day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Three of the Brewers’ last four games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six games as underdogs.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Brewers’ last three games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
Milwaukee Brewers Player Prop Facts
- Willy Adames has hit a home run in two of the Brewers’ last three games against the Cubs.
- Christian Yelich has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last seven Thursday appearances at American Family Field.
- Christian Yelich has scored at least one run in each of the Brewers’ last seven games as home favorites against the Cubs.
- William Contreras has recorded at least one Single in eight of his nine previous home appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Willy Adames has recorded at least one hit in each of the Brewers’ last eight games.
- Rhys Hoskins has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last seven home appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Brice Turang ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (19) this season.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Cody Bellinger has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances in day games.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances with the Cubs as underdogs against the Brewers.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded two or more total bases in seven of his last eight appearances at American Family Field.
- Seiya Suzuki has scored a run in each of his last four appearances with the Cubs as road underdogs against the Brewers.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Single in each of the Cubs’ last nine road games.
- Jameson Taillon has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Milwaukee Brewers rank 3rd in the league for steals this season (74).
- The Milwaukee Brewers rank T4th in the league for runs scored this season (276).
- The Chicago Cubs rank 27th in the league for doubles this season (77).
- The Chicago Cubs rank 4th in the league for walks this season (199).
Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Cubs here. I could probably go either way, though. Taillon hasn’t been spectacular over his last three starts. In that time he’s given up eight earned runs in 14.1 innings total. Taillon is 0-2 in that trio. As for Rea, he’s got 10 earned runs in his last 16.0 innings, going 1-2 in that time.
On Wednesday the Cubs gave up five runs in the third and couldn’t keep pace despite a pretty good offensive outing. The Chicago pen is well-rested, so a quality outing from Taillon should set things up nicely.