Brewers vs Cubs Odds - Cubs will climb back into NL Central race
The Brewers vs Cubs odds feature a crucial four-game set that probably has the Cubs – especially manager Lou Pinella – sweating buckets. Hovering just below .500, the Cubs have been a major baseball betting bust in 2009. However, a series with the NL Central-leading Brewers is the perfect opportunity for the Cubbies to turn their season around. Will they pull it off or fall flat on their faces?
Brewers vs Cubs odds: Chicago should outpitch Milwaukee
- Dempster, Zambrano should give quality starts at home
- Derek Lee swinging a hot bat
- Lilly, Harden may allow long balls to Fielder, Braun and company
Tonight, 8:05 p.m. ET
Seth McClung (3-1, 3.55) vs Ryan Dempster (4-5, 4.09)
For Chicago’s Brewers vs Cubs odds to succeed, the Cubs must build some momentum, and Game 1 of the series gives them a solid opportunity to do so. Seth McClung is an innings eater at best, a converted reliever who tops out around five innings per start. He’s pitched well at Wrigley Field in his career and really owns Alfonso Soriano, holding him one for 15, but the Cubs have to hope he’ll get fatigued and leave a few pitches up in the zone.
Ryan Dempster hasn’t regained his 2008 form but he’s shown signs of it lately and always pitches well against the Brewers, so the Brewers vs Cubs odds favor the home team tonight.
MLB betting pick: Cubs
Friday, July 3, 2:20 p.m. ET
Jeff Suppan (5-6, 4.86) vs Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.69)
Jeff Suppan isn’t horrible at baseball, but he isn’t good at it and never will be. He’ll chew up innings and give his team a decent chance to win in Friday’s sports betting odds, but you can assume he won’t dominate. One Cubs player, however, may dominate him. Derek Lee, who is already hot to begin with (.333, 6 HR, 20 RBI in 25 June games), seriously owns Suppan historically. In 47 career at-bats vs Suppan, Lee hits .447 with four homers, seven RBI and a 1.387 OPS.
As electric as Carlos Zambrano is, he’s still a risky play on Friday. He’s been beat up over his last few starts and Prince Fielder has his number (.367, 2 HR in 30 AB). However, Big Z is a gamer. He knows how important the Brewers vs Cubs odds are. I think he brings his A-game and grinds out a win.
MLB betting pick: Cubs
Saturday, July 4, 1:00 p.m. ET
Braden Looper (6-4, 4.90) vs Rich Harden (5-4, 4.57)
The Cubbies keep waiting for the 2008 Rich Harden to show up and, while he’s shown signs of that dominant form, it doesn’t look like he’ll fully return to it this season. He’s allowing way too many homers and I have to think one of the big Brewer bats will tag him Saturday.
As bad as Braden Looper is on the road this season, he actually pitches very well at Wrigley (3.06 ERA) and the Cubs in general (2.57) over his career, so I like Milwaukee’s Brewers vs Cubs odds.
MLB betting pick: Brewers
Sunday, July 5, 2:20 p.m. ET
Mike Burns (1-1, 3.31) vs Ted Lilly (7-6, 3.35)
Cubs lefty Ted Lilly has come back to Earth slightly of late, and his homer totals will always be astronomical, but he’s been downright fantastic at Wrigley Field this season, sporting a 4-1 record, 1.85 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. It’s almost a given that righty-swinging Ryan Braun tags Lilly, as he’s done so in the past, but the Lilly and the Cubs should triumph at the offshore sportsbook.
Mike Burns has been a pleasant surprise for the Brewers but a day game at Wrigley is a new experience he may not be ready for. I wouldn’t reach for the upset pick.
MLB betting pick: Cubs
For more Brewers vs Cubs odds and betting, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
