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Cubs vs. Brewers Prediction and Odds for Opening Day (Burnes is a Nightmare Matchup for Chicago)

By Matt De Saro

Division Series - Atlanta Braves v Milwaukee Brewers - Game One
Division Series - Atlanta Braves v Milwaukee Brewers - Game One / John Fisher/GettyImages
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The 2022 MLB season kicks off on Thursday with the defending National League Champion Milwaukee Brewers taking on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox were supposed to get the season started but the game has been postponed due to rain. 

The Brewers enter this season as the fourth favorite to win the National League Pennant at +700 on WynnBET Sportsbook. The bookmakers have set their season win total to 90. The Brew Crew are returning most of their roster for last year including Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. Burnes along with Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Perlate could be one of the best 1-2-3 combos in the MLB. 

The Cubs, on the other hand, are far from contenders to win the National League Pennant at +5000. Kyle Hendricks gets the Opening Day nod for Chicago. He is coming off an up and down season. While Hendricks managed to win 14 games, he posted a 4.77 ERA and 1.35 WHIP along the way. 

Here are the odds for this Opening Day National League battle, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Brewers: -1.5 (-110)
  • Cubs: +1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Brewers: -165
  • Cubs: +152

Total:

  • Total 10.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction and Pick

The Brewers are in win-now mode and it all starts today in Chicago. A quick glance at the odds makes it obvious that Milwaukee is heavily favored to win their Opening Day tilt with the Cubs. Despite this, these two teams had very similar spring training results. Neither had a particularly strong spring and ranked 22nd and 23rd in batting average. The Brewers hit .244 while the Cubs hit .241. I don’t think it is unreasonable to assume that these teams come out to a slow start at the plate. 

With Burnes on the hill and a lackluster Cubs offense, Chicago should struggle to get much momentum going on offense. While the Brewers should have more success against Hendricks, I’m not sold on this being a blowout win. The total for this game feels a little high for the situation and I think we can exploit that. I just don’t see these teams combining for 11 runs on opening day with the reigning Cy Young winner on the mound. 

Pick: UNDER 10.5 (-115)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE