PREMIUM
Rogers' Coach's Clinic >> AMAZING 16-5 Run! 10-1 L11 MLB!
(MLB) Milwaukee vs. Chi Cubs,
Money Line: -150.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -150.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Milwaukee Brewers led the National League Central (and the defending World Series champs) for most of the summer, but folded down the stretch. as the Cubs went on to win the division by eight games. The Cubs took three of four at Milwaukee earlier this month (April 5-8) but as the two rivals get set for another four-game set Thursday (this time at Wrigley Field), the Brewers enter on an eight-game winning streak that has them atop the NL Central with a 16-9 record (the Cards are in second, one game back). The Cubs just split two games at Cleveland but have won four of their last six. Still, the Cubs enter the series just a single game over .500 at 11-10, leaving the fourth in the NL Central, three games behind the Brewers.
The pitching matchup: Chase Anderson (2-1, 3.25 ERA) takes the mound for Milwaukee and Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 4.09 ERA) does so for Chicago. Anderson opened the season winless in his first three starts (0-1 / team was 2-1) but has won his last two. He gave up a pair of HRs but not much else in a win over Miami last time out, allowing three runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings. Anderson is 3-3 with a 3.67 ERA in eight starts in his career against the Cubs. Hendricks picked up his first win of the season Friday at Colorado, allowing three runs and five hits over five innings. He did not issue a walk after allowing seven in his first three starts but he did give up his fifth HR of the season. Hendricks is 6-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 16 career starts vs. the Brewers.
The pick: The Milwaukee Brewers certainly come in on a roll have experienced plenty of positivity during their recent winning streak but they will begin their four-game weekend set at Wrigley Field without first baseman Eric Thames, who is expected to miss up to two months with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. The Cubs were able to win three of four at Miller Park in early April and I see no reason for them not to be able to do the same here at Wrigley Field. That said, one should always take things one game at a time. Make the Cubs an 8* play here on Thursday.
The pitching matchup: Chase Anderson (2-1, 3.25 ERA) takes the mound for Milwaukee and Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 4.09 ERA) does so for Chicago. Anderson opened the season winless in his first three starts (0-1 / team was 2-1) but has won his last two. He gave up a pair of HRs but not much else in a win over Miami last time out, allowing three runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings. Anderson is 3-3 with a 3.67 ERA in eight starts in his career against the Cubs. Hendricks picked up his first win of the season Friday at Colorado, allowing three runs and five hits over five innings. He did not issue a walk after allowing seven in his first three starts but he did give up his fifth HR of the season. Hendricks is 6-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 16 career starts vs. the Brewers.
The pick: The Milwaukee Brewers certainly come in on a roll have experienced plenty of positivity during their recent winning streak but they will begin their four-game weekend set at Wrigley Field without first baseman Eric Thames, who is expected to miss up to two months with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. The Cubs were able to win three of four at Miller Park in early April and I see no reason for them not to be able to do the same here at Wrigley Field. That said, one should always take things one game at a time. Make the Cubs an 8* play here on Thursday.
