Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction (June 17, 2025)
The Brewers open a three-game set at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, and they are trailing the Cubs by one game in the NL Central. Chicago has been on point when they play at home; they’ve won 20 of 31. Milwaukee is coming off a division series win over St. Louis, and the starting pitching has been *chef’s kiss*.
The teams have split their previous 26 matchups, and their records through the first half show how close the race has been. Both clubs are sending out their regular starters and want to break the deadlock, so this opener matters in the standings and for the Brewers/Cubs rivalry!
We’ve got all the info you need about this game below: stats, pitchers, the latest betting odds, and our picks for the best bets! Batter up, play ball, and so on.
Game Details
- Matchup: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs
- Date & Time: Tuesday, June 17, 8:20 pm ET (7:20 pm CDT)
- Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: MLB.tv, Marquee Sports Network, Bally Sports Wisconsin
- Weather Forecast: Mostly clear skies with temperatures around 75°F
Current Form & Stats
The NL Central race has been super close, and both baseball clubs bring solid pitching into the opener. Chicago has controlled games at home, and Milwaukee’s rotation has kept them competitive despite a few inconsistencies from its bullpen. Look below for the current form and stats!
Milwaukee Brewers (39–34, 16–19 Away)
- Team ERA: 3.78
- Starters: 3.38 ERA
- Relievers: 4.28 ERA
- Notables: Abner Uribe (1.31 ERA), Grant Anderson has totaled 42 strikeouts in 31 innings; strong strikeout numbers against right-handed hitters
Chicago Cubs (44–28, 23–12 Home)
- Team ERA: 3.57
- Bullpen: 3.16 ERA
- Home record: 23–12 at Wrigley, which is among the best in the NL
Pitching Matchup
Ok, here’s how the pitchers compare. Chad Patrick has pitched into the sixth in six of his last seven starts and has held opponents to three runs or fewer. Ben Brown has shown he has a strikeout upside, but has allowed frequent contact and hasn’t been able to work deep into games in any consistent way. Look below for the specifics:
| Pitcher | Record | ERA | K/IP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brewers | Chad Patrick (RHP) | 3-6 | 3.25 | 71 K in 74.2 IP | Rookie with a steady strikeout rate, facing the Cubs for the first time |
Cubs | Ben Brown (RHP) | 3-5 | 5.71 | 83 K in 69.1 IP | Generates plenty of strikeout, but has allowed too many baserunners |
Patrick has been more stable from start to start, limiting walks and keeping his pitch count manageable. Brown has the strikeout totals, but hasn’t held the zone well into the later frames. If both rotations hand things over by the middle innings, bullpen command and matchup usage will probably tip the game!
Betting Odds & Analysis
Next up? The betting odds! Here are the latest lines and props courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook:
- Moneyline | Cubs –148, Brewers +126: Chicago’s home record and bullpen give them the advantage here.
- Run Line – Brewers +1.5 (–156): Milwaukee offers value with a strong strikeout number, six, and Patrick’s upside.
- Total Runs – 9.5 (O/U –110): Both rotations have limited scoring in recent outings; the weather looks neutral with low wind and typical June temps.
Player Props
- Chad Patrick Over 5 Strikeouts: The rookie has averaged nearly one K per inning.
- Pete Crow‑Armstrong Over .235 AVG: He’s hitting above .270 this season with extra-base power and Wrigley home field advantage
Our Best Bets
Time for our best bets! This one looks like it’ll be a close finish, and the market shows that. Chicago’s bullpen and home form give them an advantage, but Milwaukee has value on the run line with Chad Patrick on the hill. Below is how we’re playing it.
1. Cubs –120 | Confidence Level: 7.5/10
- Chicago is 23–12 at Wrigley and usually handles late-inning matchups better
- Ben Brown’s strikeout totals (83 in 69.1 IP) help offset shorter outings
- Cubs’ offense has scored 5+ in six of their last eight night games
FYI: Monitor bullpen usage from the previous game, but Chicago should have its late-game arms available!
2. Brewers +1.5 (–140 to +100) | Confidence Level: 8/10
- Chad Patrick has a 3.25 ERA and has kept games close in most starts
- Milwaukee has covered the run line in 7 of their last 9 as on-the-road underdogs
- If this stays within a run either way? The number covers
3. Player Prop: Pete Crow-Armstrong to Record a Hit | Confidence Level: 8.5/10
- Batting .268 with 18 HRs and hits in 9 of his last 11 games
- Has much better contact numbers against right-handers like Patrick
- Price Range: Typically between –160 and –180; really useful in same-game parlays
4. Pitcher Prop: Chad Patrick Over 5.5 Strikeouts | Confidence Level: 6.5/10
- Cubs have one of the higher strikeout rates vs right-handers
- Patrick sits just under 1 K per inning this season
Caution: Humid conditions could impact grips late in the game, so think about starting with 4+ Ks if you’re laddering this prop!
Brewers vs. Cubs – Wrapping It Up
The Cubs have done well in close games at home and have been the more reliable club out of the bullpen. And that gives them a slight advantage on the moneyline, even though there’s some uncertainty around Ben Brown’s command.
Milwaukee offers value with +1.5. Why? Because Chad Patrick has allowed three runs or less in six of his last seven starts and has worked through at least five innings each time. That gives the Brewers enough stability early to stay within range.
As for prop bets, Pete Crow-Armstrong to record a hit is a good option. He’s produced really well against right-handed pitching and has been making consistent contact. Patrick’s strikeout total also has potential, although his pitch count and a weather delay could limit his chances. Check local radar and lineups before you place your bets!
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Cubs 5, Milwaukee Brewers 4
You can count on lead changes through the middle innings; both starters will give way by the sixth. The Cubs pulled ahead in the seventh after capitalizing on a matchup change out of Milwaukee’s bullpen. Chicago holds the lead from that point on, but the Brewers keep it close enough to cover the +1.5 in a 4–3 final!
