The last two National League Central champions kick off the 2022 MLB season Thursday as the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Chicago Cubs. Milwaukee is the reigning division champion after posting its highest win total since 2011 with a 95-67 record. Chicago took the crown in the abbreviated 2020 season, going 34-26 en route to its third division title in five years. The Brewers dominated the series last year, winning 15 of the 19 contests – including eight of 10 at Chicago.
First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Milwaukee is a -170 favorite (risk $170 to win $100) on the money line in the latest Brewers vs. Cubs odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total runs scored is 10.5. Before making any Cubs vs. Brewers picks, be sure to check out the latest MLB predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
This model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, enters the 2022 MLB season coming off a 209-178 record on top-rated MLB picks in 2021, returning over $700 for $100 players. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Brewers vs. Cubs and revealed its predictions and best bets. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s MLB picks. Here are the MLB odds and betting trends for Cubs vs. Brewers:
- Brewers vs. Cubs money line: Milwaukee -170, Chicago +150
- Brewers vs. Cubs run line: Milwaukee -1.5
- Brewers vs. Cubs over-under: 10.5 runs
- MIL: The Brewers’ pitching staff led the majors with 1,618 strikeouts last season
- CHC: The Cubs are 5-22 in their last 27 games as home underdogs
Why you should back the Brewers
Milwaukee has won its last six contests at Wrigley Field, outscoring the Cubs 47-12 in the process. The Brewers produced 37 of those runs while sweeping a four-game series in the Windy City in August. One of those victories was registered by right-hander Corbin Burnes, who worked eight scoreless innings and recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts – including 10 straight beginning in the second frame to tie the major-league record.
The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, Burnes went 11-5 with a major league-best 2.43 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 28 starts last season. The 27-year-old was fifth in baseball with 234 strikeouts and notched 14 over eight innings in a combined no-hitter against Cleveland on Sept. 11. Burnes allowed three runs or fewer in each of his final seven turns in 2021, including a six-inning scoreless outing versus Atlanta in the NL Division Series.
Why you should back the Cubs
Chicago righty Kyle Hendricks has reached double digits in victories in each of his last three full seasons. The 32-year-old registered 14 last year for a Cubs team that finished 20 games under .500 at 71-91. Hendricks is very familiar with the Brewers as he has faced them more than any other club during his career, going 10-7 with a 3.30 ERA in 27 starts.
Patrick Wisdom had a breakout year for the Cubs in 2021, leading the team and breaking the franchise rookie record with 28 home runs in his first full season in the majors. The team is hoping for even bigger things from the 30-year-old third baseman and expects Japanese star Seiya Suzuki to make a smooth transition to the North American game after signing a five-year, $85 million contract. The 27-year-old outfielder hit a career-high 38 homers and won his second Central League batting title with a .317 average for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp last year.
How to make Brewers vs. Cubs picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the run total, as the simulations have the teams combining for 9.6 runs. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the model’s Cubs vs. Brewers Opening Day pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Brewers vs. Cubs? And which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cubs vs. Brewers money line to jump on, all from the advanced model that returned over $700 on top-rated MLB money-line picks in 2021, and find out.
