PREMIUM
3-Game SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. Milwaukee,
Money Line: -150.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -150.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Milwaukee Brewers led the National League Central, and the defending World Series champs (Chicago Cubs), for most of the summer, only to fall down the stretch. The Cubs and Brewers opened a four-game series at Miller Park on Thursday, with the Cubs winning 8-0. The loss meant that Milwaukee had been blanked in two straight games and its scoreless streak continued through four innings Friday, before the Brewers busted out with a pair of two-run homers during a four-run fifth. A run in the ninth gave the Brewers a 5-4 win, their third one-run victory of the season, their second walk-off win in four games and their third win in their last at-bat. The Cubs' bullpen continued its outstanding work with three scoreless innings to keep the game tied before Milwaukee's ninth-inning rally. The loss dropped the Cubs to 0-4 when scoring four or fewer runs, while they are 3-0 when scoring more than four.
The pitching matchup: The series is tied at one game apiece, as Yu Darvish (0-0, 10.38 ERA) squares off against Zach Davies (0-1, 9.53). Darvish, the Cubs' $126 million off-season acquisition, did not fare well in his first appearance for Chicago. He served up a two-run HR in the opening inning at Miami and couldn't get out of the fifth, allowing five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision (Cubs won 10-6). Only 59 of his 102 pitches were strikes in that outing, as he struggled to command his fastball, walked two batters and hitting two more, plus he generated only nine swinging strikes. Davies was the Brewers' leader last year in victories (17), starts (33) and innings (191 1/3),as Milwaukee went 20-13 in his starts, plus-$880 vs. the moneyline (12th-best among all starters). He had a rough outing Monday against St. Louis in his 2018 debut, allowing seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Davies is 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts against the Cubs, including a 2-2 record with a 3.66 ERA against Chicago last season.
The pick: The Brewers have five wins this season and all but one of them have been won in the final inning: As noted above, the Cubs are 0-4 when scoring four or fewer runs, while they are 3-0 when scoring more than four. I believe Davies pitched way over his head last season and that Darvish, greatly underachieved. With that in mind, I'll make the Cubs a 8* play in this one.
The pitching matchup: The series is tied at one game apiece, as Yu Darvish (0-0, 10.38 ERA) squares off against Zach Davies (0-1, 9.53). Darvish, the Cubs' $126 million off-season acquisition, did not fare well in his first appearance for Chicago. He served up a two-run HR in the opening inning at Miami and couldn't get out of the fifth, allowing five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision (Cubs won 10-6). Only 59 of his 102 pitches were strikes in that outing, as he struggled to command his fastball, walked two batters and hitting two more, plus he generated only nine swinging strikes. Davies was the Brewers' leader last year in victories (17), starts (33) and innings (191 1/3),as Milwaukee went 20-13 in his starts, plus-$880 vs. the moneyline (12th-best among all starters). He had a rough outing Monday against St. Louis in his 2018 debut, allowing seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Davies is 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts against the Cubs, including a 2-2 record with a 3.66 ERA against Chicago last season.
The pick: The Brewers have five wins this season and all but one of them have been won in the final inning: As noted above, the Cubs are 0-4 when scoring four or fewer runs, while they are 3-0 when scoring more than four. I believe Davies pitched way over his head last season and that Darvish, greatly underachieved. With that in mind, I'll make the Cubs a 8* play in this one.
