Can Brewers keep up with Cubs tonight?
Chicago already paces the majors with 119 runs scored, and yet the events of the last week suggest the North Siders are only getting started.
Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward and the rest of the gang will try to keep the lumber rolling in tonight’s tussle against the Brewers, with an 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI like the host squad as a 1.5-run favorite in the series opener. The over/under run total, meanwhile, rests at seven.
The Cubs (14-5) bombarded Cincinnati on Sunday, 9-0, mustering a 15-hit assault. Rizzo cranked two of the winning team’s three bombs, giving him a total of five over the past five contests. Heyward cranked three singles and a double, too, raising his average to .500 during the same span.
Kyle Hendricks has yet to feel such offensive love this season. Normally, though, he doesn’t require a surplus of support when encountering Milwaukee (8-11). The righty went 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA in four 2015 meetings with Craig Counsell’s club. On Oct. 3, Hendricks limited the Brew Crew to a single base knock in six innings of a 1-0 shutout.
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So far, however, the 2016 version of the Brewers appears much more authoritative at the plate. They’re averaging 5.5 runs over the last six and went yard three times in an 8-5 weekend triumph vs. Philadelphia. Left fielder Ryan Braun almost resembles the guy who once captured the NL MVP trophy, batting .364 with five blasts and 15 RBIs.
Jimmy Nelson’s (3-1, 3.46 ERA) presence on the bump also points to a fairly tight matchup in a few hours. Chicago’s always capable of busting out the big sticks, of course, but we’ll believe in Milwaukee for a change.
TUESDAY MLB FREE PICK: BREWERS/CUBS UNDER 7 RUNS
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