by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Where to watch: Bally Sports Wisconsin, Marquee Sports Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Brewers -140, Cubs +120
BetMGM: Brewers -155, Cubs +125
Caesars: Brewers -141, Cubs +120
Season record
Brewers: 32-18
Cubs: 19-29
This has been a weird season to this point as we get through the second month of baseball season. The last 30 days, we've seen Jim Feist rack up plenty of good wins going 48-42-4 over the last 30 days. It's been an unpredictable season so far, but our champion handicappers have been doing well all season. Get on board and join the ride. Catch Jim's plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Brewers - Cubs preview and analysis
I’m not sure we fully expected the Milwaukee Brewers to dominate the Chicago Cubs in this doubleheader on Monday, but they surely got it done from both sides of the plate. Milwaukee took the first game 7-6 in the day time, thanks to a three-run homer from Luis Urias, and Aaron Ashby struck out 12 in the nightcap to top off what was a rather effective day for the leaders of the NL Central.
After escaping a sweep at the hands of the Cardinals in St. Louis over the weekend, the Brewers bounced back with a dominant performance from Corbin Burnes on Sunday and notched two victories against a pesky Cubs squad.
The consistent star of the day was Tyrone Taylor, who not only homered in both games, but made a game-saving catch in foul territory in the nightcap. Taylor is 10-for-31 with three homers and 10 RBi in his last nine games. Ironically, they’ve all come on the road.
"Everyday playing baseball is fun, man," said Taylor, who also made a terrific catch in right field to end the sixth inning in the second game. "It was a fun day ... a long day but a fun day."
In a year where the Brewers’ bats have once again gone mostly quiet, anyone willing to come back and hit the ball and drive some runs for this pitching-heavy Brewers team is welcomed. Taylor has seven homers this season.
"That catch kind of gets us out of an inning, then the homer to give us some breathing room," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. "He had a wonderful day and he's had a wonderful road trip."
Ashby recorded his first win of the year by going six innings and allowing just one run on five hits.
"This is what we think Aaron is going to be," Counsell said. "He's throwing the ball real well and he's just got big-time stuff.
And if the rich weren’t getting any richer for the pitching staff, the Brewers will be sending Eric Lauer to the mound in hopes of continuing his hot start. Lauer, who has become the fourth head of the dragon in Milwaukee, is 5-1 this season with a 2.31 ERA, making a claim and challenge for his Cy Young counterpart, Burnes.
That spells trouble for the Cubs, who have now lost five in a row and are in desperate need of a win, but it’s not like they’ll be striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers any time soon, especially with this group. Justin Steele will come to the mound for the Cubs in the hopes of bouncing back. But with Seiya Suzuki now on the IL, the offense takes a major hit and is need of the likes of Ian Happ and Frank Schwindel to carry the load for the time being.
Prediction
Not thinking too hard into this one. The Brewers should take this one rather easily and I’d be shocked if Lauer had a bad game against an inferior club. Milwaukee has looked good as of late, especially its pitching, and I think we’re in a position where the pitching can start to carry them while they figure out the offense. Brewers win 6-2
Betting trends
Brewers are 11-6 this season as a road favorite of -125 or more.
Brewers are 17-9 against division opponents this season.
Cubs are 7-15 at home this season.
Cubs are 3-7 as a home underdog this season.
Projected lineup
Brewers:
Kolten Wong (L) 2B
Luis Urias (R) SS
Christian Yelich (L) DH
Andrew McCutchen (R) LF
Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B
Tyrone Taylor (R) RF
Omar Narvaez (L) C
Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
Jace Peterson (L) 3B
SP - Eric Lauer
Cubs:
Christopher Morel (R) 2B
Willson Contreras (R) DH
Frank Schwindel (R) 1B
Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B
Nico Hoerner (R) SS
Clint Frazier (R) LF
Nelson Velazquez (R) RF
P.J. Higgins (R) C
Rafael Ortega (L) CF
SP - Justin Steele
Statistical leaders
Brewers:
Batting average: Hunter Renfroe – .266
Hits: Christian Yelich – 41
Home runs: Rowdy Tellez – 10
RBI: Rowdy Tellez – 35
Wins: Two tied – 5
Saves: Josh Hader – 18
ERA: Corbin Burnes – 1.95
Cubs:
Batting average: Wilson Contreras – .264
Hits: Two tied – 38
Home runs: Patrick Wisdom – 10
RBI: Ian Happ – 26
Wins: Keegan Thompson – 5
Saves: David Robertson – 6
ERA: Kyle Hendricks – 5.20
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
