Cubs vs. Brewers Pick
Will the host Milwaukee Brewers rebound Friday night after a difficult loss to the Chicago Cubs in the series opener? First pitch is at 7:30PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have listed the Cubs as a -115 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Brewers are a -105 underdog and the over-under is set at 9.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
Getting the start for Chicago will be John Lackey (11-11, 4.62 ERA), while the Brewers turn to rookie Brandon Woodruff (2-2, 3.28). Lackey carries a 1.28 WHIP with 144 strikeouts in 159 2/3 innings. He was ejected from his last start for arguing balls and strikes after giving up two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 4 2/3 innings in an 8-2 home win over the Cardinals. Lackey has a 5.38 road ERA in 78 2/3 innings this year. Woodruff holds a 1.18 WHIP with 28 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and no walks in a 10-3 win at the Marlins his last start. Woodruff has a 4.38 home ERA in 24 2/3 innings.
The Cubs enter with an 85-67 record and are 39-35 on the road, while Milwaukee is 81-72 and 41-34. The Brewers have won six of the last 10 meetings and the under has hit six out of 10 times.
In Thursday’s series opener, Chicago tied it with a run in the ninth after being down to its last strike and then proceeded to win 5-3 via a go-ahead Kris Bryant two-run homer in the 10th. Bryant finished 3-for-4 with the home run plus a walk. Jon Jay was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs. Anthony Rizzo went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Wade Davis picked up the win in relief. Neil Walker was 3-for-4 with a walk for the Brewers. Domingo Santana finished 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and two runs scored. Eric Thames ended the night 2-for-4 with an RBI. Oliver Drake suffered the loss in relief.
Workman has been a solid starter for Milwaukee, only having one bad start in his first six outings. Milwaukee is in desperation mode now, needing to pile up wins to over take the Rockies in the NL Wild Card race. Lackey is far from a perfect pitcher and has poor road numbers. The Brewers must take advantage of the matchup and the home crowd.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: MILWAUKEE BREWERS -105