Milwaukee Brewers (89-73 last year) vs. Chicago Cubs (84-78), 7/24/20 Time: 7 pm ET Friday, July 24 Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL Listed Pitchers: Kyle Hendricks (11-10, 3.46 in 2019) vs. Brandon Woodruff (11-3, 3.62) TV: ESPN Moneyline: Cubs -125/Brewers +115 Over/Under: 8.5
2020 National League playoff hopefuls tip-off their NL Central Division seasonal rivalry when the Brewers and Cubs meet for the opener of a three-game series at the Friendly Confines Friday night. Milwaukee used a hot September last fall to make the playoffs for the second year in a row, while Chicago faded late and missed the post-season. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
MLB betting odds opened the Cubs and Hendricks at around -125 over the Brewers and Woodruff, with an over/under of 8.5 runs. Both those figures were holding steady in early betting action.
Brewers vs. Cubs Set-Up
Milwaukee is questing for its third straight playoff appearance this season. Last season the Brewers only played about .500 ball for most of the way, then used an 18-2 run in September to qualify for a National League wild-card spot. Unfortunately, the Brew Crew blew a late lead and lost that wild-card game to the eventual World Series champion Nationals 4-3.
Over the off-season, Milwaukee lost several key players, most notably C Yasmani Grandal, IF Mike Moustakas and 1B/OF Eric Thames, all of whom provided pop from the left side of the plate. The Brewers also added several veterans of various note, but it’s difficult to say this team is better than it was last year.
Heading into this 60-game 2020 season, Milwaukee will play against a wins betting over/under of 31.
Chicago, meanwhile, seeks a return to the playoffs after missing out last year. The Cubs owned the second NL wild-card slot with less than two weeks to go last September, then lost nine games in a row to fall out of contention.
Over the off-season, Chicago tinkered with its roster, making few moves of any note, but most importantly parted ways with World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon, replacing him with veteran catcher David Ross.
The Cubs face a wins O/U of 32.5 this season.
Milwaukee took the season series from the Cubbies last year ten games to nine but only went 3-6 at Wrigley.
Friday’s Starting Arms
Hendricks hit for 16/30 on quality starts last season. He also posted an excellent WHIP of 1.13 a very nice strikeouts/walks ratio of 150/32.
The Cubs played 15-15 with Hendricks last year.
In two starts last year against Milwaukee Hendricks allowed four runs and ten hits through nine innings. Chicago split those two games.
Woodruff, meanwhile, never pitched more than 43 innings in a ML season until last year, when he tripled that figure. Woodruff finished 10/22 on quality starts while posting a 1.14 WHIP and a 143/30 K/BB ratio. So he’s taken over the No. 1 spot in the Brewers rotation.
Milwaukee played 17-5 when Woodruff started last season, which was nice.
In his only start last year against the Cubs, Woodruff was gifted an 8-0 lead, then gave up four runs in the fourth inning and got pulled. But his line also included eight strikeouts. The Brewers eventually won that game 13-10.
Friday’s Batting Splits
Milwaukee batted .244 against right-handed pitching last season, with a .328 team OBP and a .435 team slugging percentage. But the Brewers also lost three good LH sticks over the off-season.
Chicago batted .256/.334/.458 vs. RH pitching last season.
MLB Betting Trends
Milwaukee played 40-41 on the road last season.
Chicago played 51-30 at home last season.
Milwaukee played 64-49 vs. right-handed starters last season.
Chicago played 70-60 against RH starters last season.
Totals Report
- Under played 87-69 in Brewers games last season.
- Under played 80-75 in Cubs games last season.
- Under played 42-34 at Wrigley Field last season.
- Under played 12-6-1 in Brewers-Cubs games last season, 7-1-1 at Wrigley Field.
- Under played 17-13 in Hendrick’s starts last year.
- Overs played 14-7 in Woodruff’s starts last year.
- Get more details: Brewers at Cubs MLB Match-up Stats
