Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers: A NL Central matchup
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs are starting their three-game series today at American Family Field.
The Cubs have a tough schedule
The Chicago Cubs are at the bottom of the NL Central with a 38-44 record. After losing four consecutive games, they defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-3 in the tenth inning last night. The Cubs have a 3.97 ERA, a .236 batting average, a .308 on-base percentage, and 1.28 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Cody Bellinger leads the team with 73 hits, Ian Happ is on top with 40 runs, and Christopher Morel has 15 home runs.
The Brewers are looking to extend their winning streak
The Milwaukee Brewers are on top of the NL Central with a 48-33 record. They have won the last four games and are coming after sweeping the Texas Rangers in a three-game series. The Brewers have a 3.75 ERA, a .237 batting average, a .308 on-base percentage, and 1.28 walks plus hits per inning pitched. William Contreras is the best player on the team with 93 hits, 56 runs and 9 home runs so far in the season.
Betting Trends
The Brewers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 home games, 4-1 SU in their last 5 games overall, and 6-2 SU in their last 8 home games against the Cubs. Milwaukee has played over the total run line in 6 of their last 7 games overall, 4 of their last 6 games against the Cubs, 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the NL, and 4 of their last 6 games against teams from the NL Central. The Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games overall and 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against teams from the NL. They have played under the total run line in 14 of their last 19 games overall, 8 of their last 10 games on the road, and the last six games against teams from the NL Central.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Milwaukee Brewers had a tough end of the last week, losing three straight in San Diego, but have bounced back and are again playing very well. They are on a four-game winning streak and will try to continue the good form with Colin Rea on the mound. The veteran is 6-2 for the season with a 3.62 ERA, 54 K, 82 IP, and 1.24 WHIP. The Cubs are moving on with their road trip from San Francisco to Milwaukee and will start with Jameson Taillon on the mound. He is 4-3 for the season with a 2.90 ERA, 53 K, 68.1 IP, and 1.27 WHIP. The Brewers are in much better form at the moment, and the Cubs had a long game and flight from the West Coast, so Milwaukee will win this one quite easily.
