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It's Opening Day in Major League Baseball as the Milwaukee Brewers visit Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Brewers-Cubs prediction and pick.
The Brewers went 95-67 last season, winning the NL Central. Additionally, they finished one win shy of the franchise record for wins in a 162-game season. Despite an amazing season, the Brewers fell short in the playoffs. Milwaukee lost to the eventual champion Atlanta Braves three games to one in the NL Division Series. Now, the Brewers look to get back to the playoffs. To do that, they acquired Hunter Renfroe from the Boston Red Sox with the hope that he might spark their offense. Also, they need Christian Yelich to bounce back from a horrible season where he hit .248 with only nine home runs. However, Milwaukee's pitching is still spectacular. Ace pitchers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff return to anchor the rotation. Burnes will look to replicate last season's performance, where he won the CY Young award. Lastly, all-star Josh Hader is back to lead the bullpen.
The Cubs went 71-91 last season, finishing fourth in the NL Central. Moreover, they started the rebuilding process officially by trading away Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Craig Kimbrel. Thus, the Cubs received a lot of prospects that might not be ready this season. The 71 wins were the lowest win totals for the Cubs in five years. However, there were some positives. Patrick Wisdom emerged last season, clubbing 28 home runs and adding 61 RBIs. Additionally, the Cubs were great at shutting down games. Chicago was 57-0 last season when leading after eight innings. However, the Cubs broke another record. Chicago used 69 players last season, which is now the most in MLB history, breaking the previous record held by the Seattle Mariners.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Brewers-Cubs MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Brewers-Cubs Odds
Brewers: -1.5 (-113)
Cubs: +1.5 (-106)
Over: 9 (-115)
Under: 9 (-105)
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Why The Brewers Could Cover The Spread
Milwaukee has tremendous pitching. Moreover, they are starting the season with the best pitcher in the NL. Burnes went 11-5 with a 2.43 ERA. Additionally, he struck out 234 hitters. He was the anchor of the rotation for the Brewers. Now, he looks to do it again. He gets the start at Wrigley. The Brewers went 8-2 at Wrigley last year. Likewise, Burnes dominated the Cubs in a 10-0 win at Wrigley on August 11, 2021. He pitched eight shutout innings, not allowing a run on four scattered hits. Overall, Burnes went 2-0 in three starts against the Cubs, including two shutouts.
The bullpen is strong behind the reigning CY Young winner. Reliever of the Year winner Hader and setup man Devin Williams were the unstoppable force that scared many hitters late in games last season. Furthermore, if the Brewers head into the eighth inning with a lead, they will have no issues turning the game over to Williams or Hader. Comparatively, two new additions to the lineup could spark the Brewers.
Renfroe and Andrew McCutchen are the new kids on the block. Milwaukee could plug either of those players into the lineup at ease. They will spark a lineup that hit .233 as a team last year. Therefore, the Brewers will cover the spread if Burnes dominates, the bullpen holds, and Renfroe and McCutchen contribute in their debuts.
Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread
Chicago has a demanding showdown ahead of them. However, they have Kyle Kendricks. In his career against the Brewers, Kendricks is 10-7 with a 3.3o ERA. Last season, he went 14-7 with a 4.77 ERA in 32 starts. Despite his struggles, he is still formidable and someone that could push the Brewers on Opening Day. Also, the Cubs have Wisdom.
The rookie excelled last year and will look to continue in the new season. If he strikes early, it could give the Cubs the early lead they need. As noted, the Cubs protected leads well last year. Moreover, Chicago won games when leading after eight innings, no matter what happened in the ninth inning of those games. The keys to covering will be solid pitching and a spark from Wisdom.
Furthermore, the Cubs will cover the spread if Hendricks pitches spectacularly, giving Chicago a chance to keep up with Milwaukee. Additionally, if Wisdom beats Burnes in the head-to-head, the Cubs can force him out of the game and change the course of the game.
Final Brewers-Cubs Prediction & Pick
Opening Day is finally here! The Brewers and the Cubs will meet at one of the oldest ballparks in America. Barring a setback, the NL Central champions will dominate this game behind their CY Young winner and new additions to the offense. The Brewers are poised to win this game and cover the spread.
Final Brewers-Cubs Prediction & Pick: Brewers -1.5 (-115)
