The Milwaukee Brewers (45-39), one of the least productive offenses in the National League, are set to host the Chicago Cubs (38-44) at American Family Field on Monday to open a four-game series.
The Cubs are playing their first of seven games on the road after closing out a rough six-game homestand (1-5). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Guardians, dropping the finale 8-6 on Sunday at Wrigley Field.
Christopher Morel was 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. The Brewers are playing the first of seven games at home after concluding a successful 10-game road trip (7-3).
They won two of three against the Pirates in their last series, taking the finale 6-3 on Sunday at PNC Park. William Contreras went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Brewers have won two of three in the season series between the NL Central rivals, including a 9-5 victory in their most recent meeting on April 2 at Wrigley Field. Starter Eric Lauer went 5.1 innings to get the win, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out six.
ON THE MOUND
Drew Smyly (7-5, 3.96 ERA) is slated to get the start for Chicago. The left-hander allowed seven runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, an 8-5 road defeat against the Phillies on Wednesday. He took the loss, yielding nine hits while striking out two and walking one.
Smyly is making his first appearance against the Brewers this season. Over two starts against the Brewers in 2022, Smyly was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA over nine innings.
He had five strikeouts and two walks. For Milwaukee, RHP Julio Teheran (2-3, 2.85 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs.
In his last start on Tuesday, Teheran took the loss on the road against the Mets. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up seven runs on seven hits, striking out two, in the 7-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .248/.326/.399. Ian Happ leads the team in OPS at .786. The center fielder is slashing .254/.380/.406 with seven home runs, 38 RBIs, and 31 runs over 80 games.
Against righties like Teheran this season, the Cubs have a .714 OPS. Happ also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .830 OPS in 213 at-bats.
Milwaukee is slashing .228/.307/.372 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game, second lowest in the NL. Christian Yelich leads the team with a .808 OPS.
The right fielder has 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 59 runs scored with a slash line of .273/.370/.438. Milwaukee is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.258/.327/.404).
The Brew Crew have a .644 OPS against left-handers in 2023, the lowest in the league. With a .961 OPS over 68 at-bats, Joey Wiemer has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 17-22 away from Wrigley Field in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Milwaukee has gone 22-18 at their home park this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.3.
The teams have split their last 10 meetings head-to-head at American Family Field, though Milwaukee has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.2-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Brewers lead the NL Central by zero games over the Reds. The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Milwaukee Brewers (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
