The Chicago Cubs will face the Milwaukee Brewers in a crucial NL Central series. The Cubs trail Milwaukee by three games for the division lead, meaning they could potentially tie up the division with a series sweep. This is one of the most exciting games of Monday night, as both teams should be playing their best baseball with so much on the line. It's time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Cubs-Brewers prediction and pick.

Let's see how the bookmakers have set the lines for this game.

MLB Odds: Cubs-Brewers Odds

Chicago Cubs ML (+134)

Milwaukee Brewers ML (-145)

Over 7 1/2 runs (-103)

Under 7 1/2 runs (-117)

Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread

The Cubs' best chance at pulling off a win comes from their pitching. Ace Kyle Hendricks will take the hill for Chicago, something that typically works out well.

Hendricks has been amazingly consistent recently, earning an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 0.98 in his last seven starts. He also earned a win in each of those starts. Hendricks has faced the Brewers twice this season so far, pitching 12 total innings against them while allowing only two runs. Milwaukee is worse against right-handed pitching, earning a lower batting average, OBP and OPS against righties. The Brewers are also one of the worst offensive teams in the MLB, sitting near the bottom of the league in just about every major batting stat. With Hendricks on the mound, Chicago will always have a chance to win.

Chicago's bullpen is also fantastic, with five relievers sporting ERAs lower 3.00 Even though the Cubs have struggled offensively of late, the pitching will be enough to keep this a very close game.

The Cubs' lineup has the unenviable task of facing Freddy Peralta, who has been fantastic all year long. Fortunately for Chicago, Milwaukee's pitching has been worse at home, allowing more hits and runs when playing at home. It may not seem like much, but any advantage matters against Peralta.

Why The Brewers Could Cover The Spread

The Brewers' chances of winning tonight also revolve around their pitching. Freddy Peralta has been one of their bests starter all year long, earning an 2.11 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP, both of which are among the MLB's leaders. He is capable of working deep into ball games, masking some deficiencies of the Milwaukee bullpen.

Peralta has faced the Cubs three times already this year with great results. Over 15 innings against Chicago, he has allowed only three runs. The Cubs are also a significantly worse offense on the road, notching fewer runs and hits while striking out more than they do at Wrigley Field.

The Brewers have also put together a nice little winning streak, taking five straight games heading into this one. The offense seemed to pick things up in those five games, scoring under five runs only once in that stretch.

Final Cubs-Brewers Prediction & Pick

With both teams having their fair share of offensive struggles and sending a stud pitcher out to the mound, I'm taking the under. Both starting pitchers are great, while both bullpens have been reliable. I expect a tight, low-scoring affair.

FINAL PICK: Under 7 1/2 runs (-117)