Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs: Preview, Predictions and Picks for May 5, 2024 2:20 PM

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May 5, 2024 6:20 AM

The Cubs look to take the series lead as they host the Brewers at Wrigley Field on May 5th at 2:20 PM. With the series knotted at 1-1, Chicago will rely on their strong home form (11-4) to edge out the Brewers, who boast an impressive 13-5 road record. A pleasant 66-degree day with no precipitation in the forecast sets the stage for a thrilling matchup.

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Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Probable Pitchers

For the upcoming matchup against the Chicago Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers are likely to send Freddy Peralta to the mound, who boasts an impressive 3-0 record and 3.21 ERA in 35.1 innings pitched this season. With 45 strikeouts and a stingy 0.86 WHIP, Peralta poses a formidable challenge for the Cubs' lineup, making him a crucial factor in the Brewers' hopes for a win.

As the Chicago Cubs prepare to face off against the Milwaukee Brewers, Javier Assad is likely to take the mound, boasting an impressive 1.97 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in his 32 innings pitched this season. With 27 strikeouts and only 9 walks, Assad's control and ability to miss bats could prove crucial in what promises to be a closely contested matchup.

Milwaukee Brewers Analysis

As the Milwaukee Brewers prepare to face off against the Chicago Cubs, their strong batting performance will be crucial in securing a win. With William Contreras leading the team in batting average (.336) and RBI (27), his presence at the plate will be key. Additionally, Willy Adames' six home runs will provide a much-needed power boost to the Brewers' offense. Furthermore, the team's impressive 45 stolen bases, ranking 3rd in the league, suggests they'll look to aggressively exploit the Cubs' defense. However, with a relatively high strikeout rate (296, 10th in the league), the Brewers will need to minimize their K's and capitalize on scoring opportunities to come out on top.

Chicago Cubs Analysis

As the Chicago Cubs prepare to face off against the Milwaukee Brewers, they'll look to capitalize on their strengths, particularly at the plate. With a team batting average of .236, they'll rely on Nico Hoerner's impressive .286 average to set the tone. The Cubs have also shown a propensity for drawing walks, ranking 6th in the league with 122 bases on balls, which could prove crucial in creating scoring opportunities against the Brewers' staff. However, they'll need to be mindful of their tendency to strike out, tied for 11th in the league with 294 Ks, which could be exploited by Milwaukee's pitching corps. If Christopher Morel, who leads the team with 7 home runs and 20 RBIs, can stay hot, the Cubs may be able to overcome their mediocre team stats and come out on top in this NL Central showdown.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Injuries

Chicago Cubs

Kohl Franklin (SP): Day-To-Day
Justin Steele (SP): 15-Day-IL
Jordan Wicks (SP): 15-Day-IL
Cody Bellinger (CF): 10-Day-IL
Seiya Suzuki (RF): 10-Day-IL

Milwaukee Brewers

Gary Sanchez (C): Day-To-Day
Chris Roller (RF): Day-To-Day
Brian Navarreto (C): Day-To-Day
Logan Blake Henderson (SP): Day-To-Day
Christian Arroyo (2B): Day-To-Day

Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Betting Odds

The Milwaukee Brewers are currently favored to win, with odds of -125, while the Chicago Cubs are underdogs at +105, a shift from the opening odds which had the Cubs at +105 and the Brewers at -125. The Over/Under is set at 6.5, indicating a relatively low-scoring game is expected.

You can find real-time odds here powered by the Optimal app.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Prediction

I'm predicting a thrilling 5-4 finish, with the Brew Crew squeaking out a victory in a high-scoring affair that'll leave fans on the edge of their seats (and possibly questioning the Cubs' bullpen decisions).