The Milwaukee Brewers (65-59) host the Chicago Cubs (55-71) at American Family Field on Saturday. The Cubs took Friday’s series opener 4-3 in 10 innings, their 10th head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Reliever Sean Newcomb was credited with the win after throwing 0.2 scoreless innings, and Manuel Rodriguez pitched the ninth to earn his first save of the season. Ian Happ had the only hits for Chicago, going 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Rowdy Tellez went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Brewers. Tyrone Taylor added a solo home run.
ON THE MOUND
Drew Smyly (5-7, 3.47 ERA) is set to take the mound for Chicago. The lefty allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 1-0 road defeat against the Cardinals on Monday. He took the loss, yielding four hits while striking out six and walking two. Smyly has made one previous start against the Brewers this season, a 3-1 home loss on May 30. He held Milwaukee scoreless over three no-hit innings, striking out three and walking one. For Milwaukee, righty Brandon Woodruff (9-3, 3.51 ERA) gets the ball. He has made two appearances against the Cubs this season, both starts, giving up nine runs over 9.1 innings (0-1, 8.68) with seven strikeouts and five walks. In his last start on Sunday, Woodruff took a no-decision on the road against the Cubs. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out five and walking two in the 5-2 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.1. Against righties like Woodruff this season, the Cubs have a .703 OPS. Willson Contreras is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .802 OPS in 284 at-bats. Milwaukee is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.5 for the season. The Brew Crew have a .656 OPS against lefties in 2022. With a .814 OPS over 88 at-bats, Hunter Renfroe has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a four-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 27-33 in 2022. The Cubs have scored 4.2 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.9 runs. Milwaukee has gone 31-25 at American Family Field this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. The NL Central rivals have split their last 10 games head-to-head at American Family Field, though Milwaukee has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.0-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 17 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Brewers are second in the NL Central, six games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Milwaukee Brewers (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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