Chicago goes in for the kill against Milwaukee
The Cubs are on the verge of clinching their first division title in eight years. Will the team’s least experienced starter actually be the one to get the party rolling?
Little-used Mike Montgomery takes the ball in tonight’s series opener vs. the Brewers, with an 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Handicappers at online sports book Bovada.lv endorse Chicago as a 1.5-run favorite, while Craig Counsell’s group represents a +175 underdog. The over/under run total sits at nine.
By virtue of yesterday’s 7-0 rout of St. Louis, the host squad needs one more victory to wrap up the NL Central. Suffice it to say that Montgomery’s (1-1, 3.67 ERA) never thrown in a bigger situation. The ex-Mariner, who came to the Windy City on July 20 in a four-player deal, draws his fifth assignment as a Cub. He recently held Milwaukee to just two hits and one run in five innings.
For the visiting bunch, Jimmy Nelson (7-14, 4.42) aims to reverse a disturbing trend against Chicago. The righty is 0-3 with a 4.32 ERA in five career outings at the Friendly Confines. Nelson’s also searching for his first win of any kind since Aug. 22.
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The champagne promises to flow on the North Side, and sooner rather than later. Yet we’re a bit uncertain whether Montgomery can deliver the goods this evening. Stay safe by siding with both offenses to erupt.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: BREWERS/CUBS OVER 9 RUNS