Cubs vs. Brewers odds, line, score prediction, start time: 2024 MLB picks, May 3 best bets from proven model

The top two teams in the National League Central will clash on Friday when the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Chicago Cubs. The Brewers (19-11), who have won two in a row, are coming off a 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Cubs (19-13), who have dropped two of three, were beaten 7-6 in 11 innings by the New York Mets on Thursday. Milwaukee will be without the services of reliever Abner Uribe, who is serving a six-game suspension for his role in a benches clearing incident on Tuesday, and manager Pat Murphy, who is serving a two-game suspension. The Brewers lead the all-time series 216-214, although Chicago owns a 112-104 edge in games played at Wrigley Field. Hayden Wesneski is scheduled to start for Chicago, while Joe Ross will be on the mound for the Brewers.

First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Chicago is a –129 favorite on the money line (risk $129 to win $100) in the latest Brewers vs. Cubs odds from SportsLine consensus, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 8. Before making any Brewers vs. Cubs picks, be sure to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It enters Week 6 of the 2024 MLB season on a profitable 112-89 run on top-rated MLB picks dating back to last season, and it has excelled on top-rated run-line picks during that span, going 20-8 (+708). Anybody following has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Brewers vs. Cubs and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several MLB odds and betting lines for Brewers vs. Cubs:

• Brewers vs. Cubs money line: Milwaukee +110, Chicago -129 
• Brewers vs. Cubs over/under: 8 runs 
• Brewers vs. Cubs run line: Chicago -1.5 (+173) 
• MIL: The Brewers have covered the run line in 27 of their last 43 games (+12.00 units).
• CHC: The Cubs are 10-3 at home this season.
• Brewers vs. Cubs picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why you should back the Cubs

Chicago is expected to send right-hander Hayden Wesneski (2-0, 0.87 ERA) to the mound. In three games, including one start, Wesneski has been solid, allowing just one earned run in 10.1 innings of work. In his last outing, a 5-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, he received a no-decision, allowing two runs – one earned – on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He was 3-5 with 11 starts and 34 appearances last season, posting a 4.63 ERA with 32 walks and 83 strikeouts. He has faced Milwaukee once in relief, earning a win in 1.2 innings of work, allowing one hit, two walks and three strikeouts.

Second baseman Nico Hoerner is hitting .271 through the first 31 games of the season. He has driven in seven runs and scored 19 times. In Wednesday’s 1-0 win over the Mets, he was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. He was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored on Thursday. In 42 career games against the Brewers, he has eight doubles, two homers and 13 RBI. See which team to pick here.

Why you should back the Brewers

Right-hander Joe Ross (1-3, 5.40 ERA) will start for Milwaukee. Despite two bad outings, including the last time out, he has been solid. He gave up just one earned run and six hits in 5.1 innings of work in a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh on April 22. He gave up two earned runs with one walk and seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings to earn a 9-5 win at Cincinnati on April 9. In eight career games, including seven starts, against the Cubs, he has a 4.25 ERA with 13 walks and 31 strikeouts.

Catcher William Contreras has been on fire of late. He has hits in seven of his last eight games, including three with multiple hits. In a 3-2 win at Pittsburgh on April 24, he was 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. He was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and one home run in the 7-5 win over the Pirates on April 25. He doubled in a pair of runs in Wednesday’s win over the Tampa Bay Rays. See which team to pick here.

How to make Brewers vs. Cubs picks