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Brewers vs Cubs Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Central Division Rivals Collide in Season Opener

Brewers Visit Cubs

The Milwaukee Brewers open the 2022 MLB regular season with a game against the host Chicago Cubs in a battle of National League Central squads on Thursday. Milwaukee is the defending NL Central champion while the Cubs are looking to rebound from a season in which they missed postseason. The season opener is always exciting, but before you make a bet online on this contest, take a look at our preview.

Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB odds for Brewers vs Cubs. We’ve plenty of MLB predictions.

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Brewers Bank On Burnes In Season Opener

The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to right-hander Corbin Burnes, his first-ever Opening Day start. Burnes has been one of the best pitchers in the majors over the past two seasons, finishing 11-5 with a 2.43 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 2021.

Milwaukee is hoping for a healthy season from outfielder Christian Yelich, who played in just 117 games last season. Yelich batted just .248 with nine home runs and 51 RBIs last season. The team needs some power numbers from him after losing Avisail Garcia – last year’s home run and RBI leader – to the Miami Marlins in free agency.

Shortstop Willy Adames came to Milwaukee early in the 2021 campaign in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays and was a major piece to the run to a division title. Adames hit .285 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs in 99 games with the Brewers.

The Brewers added a veteran bat in outfielder Andrew McCutchen in the offseason. McCutchen played for the Philadelphia Phillies the last three seasons, finishing with 24 doubles and 27 home runs with 80 RBIs last season.

Cubs Looking to Bounce Back

The Chicago Cubs hope to give the Wrigley Field faithful a good first impression for the 2022 season with a victory over the Brewers. Manager David Ross is looking forward to the packed house that Opening Day will bring.

“I don’t know if there’s a better place I’ve ever been,” Ross said about Thursday’s opener. “And Opening Day is special. Start of a new journey. It’s exciting. Exciting for the fans, exciting for the players, exciting for me, the coaching staff. Everybody’s pumped up.”

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks will be on the mound for the Cubs in his third straight Opening Day start for the team. Hendricks went 14-7 with a 4.77 ERA last season, striking out 131 and walking just 44.

After a major overhaul of the lineup last season, catcher Willson Contreras is one of the last holdovers from the 2016 World Series team. Contreras batted .237 with 21 home runs and 57 RBIs last season, and he’ll likely bat cleanup.

Patrick Wisdom had a breakout season in 2021, hitting 28 home runs and driving in 61 runs. The third baseman will be an important part of the Chicago offense from the start, and the hope is he can put up comparable numbers in a full season as a starter.

Brewers vs Cubs Head-to-Head

The Milwaukee Brewers dominated the season series with their NL Central rivals a season ago, winning 13 of the 16 meetings. Even at home, the Chicago Cubs struggled against the Brewers, going just 2-8 in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

Things have been even in the seasons prior to 2021, with the teams splitting the 2020 season series 5-5 and the series in the 2010s, 91-91. Due to Milwaukee’s success a season ago and its dominance of the Cubs as well, the MLB lines are giving the edge to the visitors in this one.

Brewers vs Cubs Game Information

  • Game: Brewers (0-0) vs Cubs (0-0)
  • Location: Wrigley Field
  • Day/Time: Thursday, April 7th 2:20 p.m. ET
  • Brewers vs Cubs live stream: MLB.tv

Brewers vs Cubs Betting Lines

Team Run line Moneyline Total Team Total
Milwaukee Brewers / C. Burnes -R -1½ -115 -170 9-105o 5½-120o / 5½-110u
Chicago Cubs / K. Hendricks -R +1½ -105 +150 9-115u 3½-140o / 3½+110u

Brewers vs Cubs Prediction

Hendricks has come up big at times for the Chicago Cubs over the past few years, but whether the team’s offense can get some runs off Burnes is a big question. The Milwaukee Brewers should start off the 2022 season with a road win to start their defense of the NL Central title.

When making your MLB picks, take Milwaukee to win on the road.

Pick: Milwaukee Brewers -175

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