The Chicago Cubs had won seven on the bounce prior to an 8-1 setback at Tampa Bay on Wednesday. They'll visit the Milwaukee Brewers for the opener of a huge series between the top two teams in the NL Central, and I like the division-leading Cubs to claim Game 1 of the set with Jake Arrieta on the mound.

Arrieta (14-9, 3.48 ERA) is 2-0 behind a 2.08 ERA in a pair of starts against Milwaukee on the season, striking out 16 batters through 13 innings of work. He's 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four career starts here at Miller Park and has compiled a 2.15 ERA over his last 10 starts overall.

Milwaukee turns to Zach Davies (17-9, 3.89 ERA) who is enjoying a strong season, but he's been far better on the road than at home. Davies is 8-7 with a bloated 6.05 ERA in 15 home starts and he's posted a 4.08 ERA in nine career starts against CHC. The current Cubs are batting a combined .280 over 161 at bats against the right-hander with Kris Bryant going 9-for-25.

The Brew Crew are 9-3 through their last 12 games, but I'll think they'll come up short against the superior Cubs in this contest.

My selection is a 10* play on Chicago Cubs.