The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs continue their NL Division Series on Monday night at American Family Field. First pitch is set for 9:08 PM ET. The Brewers took Game 1 in convincing fashion, cruising to a 9-3 win behind a six-run first inning. Both teams are familiar rivals from the NL Central, separated by just 90 miles and meeting in the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
Milwaukee finished the regular season with a 98-65 record, winning the division by five games over the Cubs. Chicago went 94-72, finishing the year strong but struggling to find consistency away from home. The Brewers were one of baseball’s best home teams at 53-29, while the Cubs finished just above .500 on the road at 42-40. Game 2 will play a big role in the direction of the series — a Milwaukee win gives them full control heading to Wrigley Field.
MIL Preview – Brewers Aim to Keep Momentum Rolling
Milwaukee turns to left-hander Aaron Ashby, who will make a rare start after serving most of the season as a multi-inning reliever. Ashby posted a 5-2 record and a 2.12 ERA in 68 innings this year and has been sharp recently. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 10 1/3 innings and has allowed only one hit in his past three outings combined. His command and ability to generate ground balls make him a good fit for the Brewers’ pitching plan in this spot.
The Brewers’ bullpen remains one of the deepest in baseball. The unit finished the season with a 2.69 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, ranking among the league leaders in nearly every major category. Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill have been lights out in late innings, while DL Hall and Jared Koenig provide strong left-handed options. Manager Pat Murphy has relied heavily on his pen all season, and with Ashby not stretched out, expect multiple relievers to see work again in Game 2.
Milwaukee’s lineup came alive in Game 1, scoring nine runs and knocking out Cubs starter Matthew Boyd after just two outs. Christian Yelich and William Contreras have been key bats all season, and rookie Jackson Chourio added a spark before leaving with hamstring tightness. Chourio’s status is day-to-day, but the team remains confident he’ll return later in the series. The Brewers averaged 5.00 runs per game in the regular season and have scored five or more in seven of their last ten contests.
CHC Preview – Cubs Look to Bounce Back Behind Imanaga
Shota Imanaga will start for the Cubs after a shaky finish to the regular season. The left-hander went 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA overall but posted a 6.51 ERA in September. He faced Milwaukee three times this year, going 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA across 17 2/3 innings. Imanaga throws strikes and mixes speeds well, but his recent issues with the long ball could be a concern against a Brewers lineup that has been seeing the ball well at home.
Chicago’s bullpen will play a large role if Imanaga struggles early. The Cubs’ relievers have been excellent this year, combining for a 2.81 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz provide solid middle relief, while Taylor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge handle setup duties. The Cubs’ pen has allowed just four runs over its last ten innings, though they were called on early in Game 1 due to Boyd’s struggles.
Offensively, the Cubs need more consistent production to even the series. They hit three solo home runs in the opener but couldn’t generate traffic on the bases. Seiya Suzuki, and Nico Hoerner are a couple key hitters Chicago will look to spark early. The Cubs averaged 4.83 runs per game this season but have gone just 2-6 when scoring fewer than four runs since mid-September. Small-ball execution and early run support for Imanaga will be crucial on the road.
Betting Trends and Matchup Notes
Milwaukee has won five of its last six games overall and is 6-4 in the last ten head-to-head matchups against Chicago. The Brewers are also 7-3 in their last ten home games against divisional opponents. Chicago, meanwhile, is just 3-7 in its last ten road playoff games and has allowed an average of 5.6 runs in that span.
Both teams have been close to neutral on totals this season — the Cubs are 75-78 O/U, while the Brewers are 78-80 O/U. Six of their last ten meetings have gone over the total, and the average combined score between the teams this year is 8.9 runs. Milwaukee’s bullpen dominance combined with Chicago’s inconsistent starting pitching has been the difference so far, and that trend could continue.
Betting Prediction
Milwaukee is listed as a -125 favorite, with Chicago at +105 and the total set at 8.0. The Brewers have the edge in bullpen depth, recent offensive form, and home-field advantage. Ashby’s recent command and the Brewers’ ability to mix arms from both sides make them tough to beat at home. Expect the Cubs to put up a better fight but still fall short late as Milwaukee’s bullpen locks down the final innings.
The Over has appeal given Imanaga’s recent struggles and the Brewers’ strong home bats, but the safer play looks to be backing Milwaukee again. Their bullpen and balance across the lineup should be enough to secure another win. Predicted final score: Brewers 6, Cubs 4.
Pick: Brewers -125 and Over 8.0
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