The Chicago Cubs (19-32) and Milwaukee Brewers (32-22) will meet up in a National League Central affair Friday night at Miller Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET
Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago has suffered back-to-back shutout losses, while going UNDER the betting total in seven of its last 10 affairs. Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is batting .417 in his career against tonight’s opposing starter, while first baseman Anthony Rizzo is 1 for 21 in that situation. Offensively, the club has been able to provide Travis Wood a 5.66 run-support average, which is much higher than its average of 3.8 for the season. Chicago is 4-7 as road underdogs of +125 to +150 this season, with the UNDER going 6-3-2 in that situation.
Wood (5-4, 4.35 ERA) has tallied three consecutive victories, including a 3-2 road win over the San Diego Padres last time out, as he allowed two runs and three hits over 7.1 innings of work. The left-hander is 2-3 with a 6.59 ERA in five road outings, with opposing hitters batting .288 against him. He has compiled a disappointing 0-2 record and 5.68 ERA in two starts at this venue since joining the franchise.
Milwaukee has won two games in a row, including an 8-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles as -128 home favorites Wednesday, while going OVER the betting total in three consecutive affairs. Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez continues to have a strong season—batting .459 over the course of a current nine-game hitting streak. Hot-hitting catcher Jonathan Lucroy may cool down due to collecting just 2 hits in 16 career at-bats versus Wood. Milwaukee is 21-11 as home favorites of -150 to -175 since the start of the 2012 campaign.
Brewers starting pitcher Marco Estrada (4-2, 3.98 ERA) has alternated wins and losses in his last four trips to the hill—picking up a 9-5 road victory over the Miami Marlins last time out. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four home appearances, but he’s surrendered five home runs in 25.2 combined frames. In his last seven starts versus the Cubs, Estrada has tallied a 5-1 record and 3.09 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Brewers due to their 24-6 record in their last 30 home games in this series.
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