The Milwaukee Brewers begin their quest for a fifth consecutive postseason appearance when they open the 2022 MLB season against the host Chicago Cubs on Thursday's Opening Day. Milwaukee made the playoffs in consecutive years just once before its current run that started with a division title in 2018. The Brewers also won the National League Central last season as they matched the second-highest win total in franchise history with 95 -- including 15 against the Cubs, who endured their first losing season since 2014 with a 71-91 record.
First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Milwaukee is a -180 favorite (risk $180 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 nine. 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:
- Cubs vs. Brewers money line: Milwaukee -180, Chicago +160
- Cubs vs. Brewers run line: Milwaukee -1.5
- Cubs vs. Brewers over-under: 9 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 lost its first game at Wrigley Field last season but went on to win eight of its final nine at "The Friendly Confines" and outscored the Cubs 37-9 during a four-game sweep in August. Corbin Burnes was superb against Chicago in 2021, going 2-0 with three runs allowed and 36 strikeouts over 20 innings in three starts. The 27-year-old, who won the NL Cy Young Award last year, tied the major-league record by fanning 10 consecutive batters during a career-best 15-strikeout performance on Aug. 11.
The Brewers are led offensively by Christian Yelich, who is looking to bounce back from a campaign during which he hit only nine home runs. The 2018 NL MVP belted 36 and a career-high 44 shots in his previous two full seasons. Milwaukee is counting on Hunter Renfroe to help take some of the pressure off Yelich as it acquired the 30-year-old outfielder in December after he recorded 31 homers and a career-best 96 RBIs with Boston last year.
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 over on the run total, as the simulations have the teams combining for 9.4 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.
