Brewers vs. Cubs Prediction and Odds for Sunday, August 21 (Trust Justin Steele and Surging Cubs)

The Chicago Cubs are on a roll, winners of five straight and eight of 10 overall as they send Justin Steele to the mound against Brandon Woodruff and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee is just 6-11 since the start of August and are rapidly falling out of the playoff race. Avoiding a sweep at the lowly Cubs' hands is critical, though Woodruff is having a down month. He's got a 3.44 ERA in August, surrendering four home runs over his last two starts.

Steele, meanwhile, has a 1.65 ERA since the start of July and didn't allow an earned run in three of his last four starts. Chicago has three straight wins behind him.

Can Steele stay hot to complete the sweep or will Woodruff earn a much-needed win?

Before we jump into this Brewers vs Cubs matchup, let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Brewers vs Cubs Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Brewers -1.5 (+115)
• Cubs +1.5 (-140)

Moneyline:

• Brewers: -149
• Cubs: +139

Total:

• 7.0 (Over +100/Under -120)

Brewers vs Cubs Prediction and Pick

I like the Cubs quite a bit today. Milwaukee is collapsing, while Chicago is surging and have their best pitcher, Justin Steele, going to battle.

Steele has an expected FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) below 3.44 in four consecutive starts, including two under 0.86. That's an incredible stretch, and he seems to have solved the command woes that lingered during the first few months of the season.

The Brewers are 1-6 in their last seven games as road favorites and rank just 23rd in OPS against left-handed pitchers this month. Thus, I think Steele has another excellent outing.

Chicago's lineup is much better than Milwaukee's of late, with the ninth-best OPS against righties in that time frame. Brandon Woodruff seems a bit off as well. He's got an expected FIP above 3.47 in three straight appearances, and the Brewers' poor bullpen won't pick up the slack.

Trust Steele and the Cubs to stay hot in a sweep of Milwaukee. These are teams going in opposite directions and I love getting plus value on Chicago to win a fourth straight as a home underdog.

Pick: Cubs (+139)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.