Written by: Jake Turner
Jake is a veteran sports analyst with over 10 years of MLB prop betting experience.
Brewers vs Cubs: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 18)
Last updated: August 18, 2025
Game Time: 8/18, 02:20PM
Game Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in an intriguing NL Central matchup. The Cubs are currently favored at -132, while the Brewers are slight underdogs at +108. Interestingly, 77% of the betting money has been placed on the Brewers, suggesting a potential value play on the underdog.
Mound Matchup
Pitching Matchup: Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs Matthew Boyd (CHC)
Brandon Woodruff (MIL):
- Arsenal: Four-Seam Fastball (33% usage, 93.1 mph), Sinker (31% usage, 93.0 mph), Changeup (18% usage, 83.7 mph), Cutter (12% usage, 89.6 mph), Curveball (5% usage, 79.0 mph), Sweeper (2% usage, 80.6 mph)
- Analysis: Woodruff is a versatile pitcher with a balanced mix of velocity and movement, making him effective against a variety of hitters. The Cubs lineup, however, averages .267 this season against Woodruff's arsenal, suggesting some vulnerability.
Matthew Boyd (CHC):
- Arsenal: Four-Seam Fastball (46% usage, 93.3 mph), Changeup (24% usage, 78.8 mph), Slider (15% usage, 81.6 mph), Curveball (12% usage, 73.7 mph), Sinker (4% usage, 91.9 mph)
- Analysis: Boyd relies heavily on his fastball, complemented by off-speed offerings to keep hitters off balance. The Brewers lineup averages .249 this season but projects to struggle with a .249 xBA against Boyd's mix.
Lineup Matchups
Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges
- Brewers vs Matthew Boyd:
- Cubs vs Brandon Woodruff:
Lineup Strikeout Trends vs Arsenal
Strikeout Risks & Rewards
- Brewers: The projected K-rate is 20.7% vs Boyd — up 1% from their 19.7% season average.
- Cubs: The projected K-rate is 20.1% vs Woodruff — similar to their 20.1% season average.
Umpire Trends
Behind the Plate: Adam Beck
- Umpire boosts: -3% strikeouts, -10% walks
- Classification: Beck is somewhat hitter-friendly with decreased strikeouts and walks, which could favor offensive production.
What to Bet On
- 📢 Prop Alert: Seiya Suzuki (.249 → .303, +54 points) meets betting lean criteria!
- ⚡ K Prop Alert: No significant strikeout prop opportunities meet our criteria in this matchup.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Seiya Suzuki presents a strong batting prop opportunity with a significant xBA increase.
- Although both pitchers have solid arsenals, the Cubs lineup projects a notable edge against Woodruff.
- Umpire Adam Beck's tendencies lean toward aiding hitters, potentially increasing game scoring.
- Despite the strong lean towards Suzuki, no strikeout props meet the betting threshold.
🧠 FAQs
Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Brewers vs Cubs game? A: Seiya Suzuki stands out with a projected xBA of .303, making him a top betting prop for this game.
Q: Is Adam Beck a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Beck is slightly hitter-friendly with -3% strikeouts, indicating more potential offense.
Q: What time is the Brewers vs Cubs game? A: The game is scheduled for 8/18, 02:20PM.
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