The Chicago Cubs got their season and the season series, off on the right foot with a 3-0 win on Friday night. Kyle Hendricks shut down the Brewers, throwing a complete-game shutout while allowing only three hits and striking out nine.
Today’s matchup on the mound features Corbin Burnes of Milwaukee facing Yu Darvish of Chicago. It’s worth noting the Brewers will be going with a bullpen-by-committee approach in this one. This is one of the better units in baseball, although they were used quite a bit yesterday; it’s worth watching today’s allotment of pitching out of the bullpen because it could be something we see quite often.
Weather shouldn’t be too much of a factor, with the winds slated to blow out to left field at only 5 mph.
Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field – Chicago, IL – 1:00 p.m. EST (FOX)
STARTING PITCHERS
MIL: Corbin Burnes – R (1-5, 8.82 ERA/1.84 WHIP)
CHC: Yu Darvish – R (6-8, 3.98 ERA/1.10 WHIP)
Odds & Betting Lines (According to DraftKings)
Total: 9.5 | Over: -110 | Under: -109
MIL | Moneyline: +135 | Run Line: (+1.5) -152
CHC | Moneyline: -155 | Run Line: (-1.5): +128
Injury List
MIL: Luis Urias (CV)
CHC: Daniel Descalso (IL)
Interesting Stats
When it All Burnes Down
Consistency is not one of Burnes’ most admirable qualities. After a 7-0 record and 2.61 ERA in 2018, he posted a distasteful 1-5 record and 8.82 ERA last season. The Brewers’ bullpen used four arms yesterday, so it’ll be fascinating to see how manager Craig Counsell handles that tough situation.
Darvish of Old?
If the Cubs want to return to the postseason, Darvish needs to be in peak form. Speaking of peak form, that’s exactly where he was at to close out last season. In Darvish’s last three starts of 2019, he struck out a ridiculous 39 batters over 21 1/3 innings. Over the last two months of last season, Darvish struck out at least seven batters in each of his nine starts.
Betting Picks
Cubs Run Line (+128)
We got a small glimpse of it yesterday, but this Brewers’ offense just isn’t what it used to be; guys like Justin Smoak, Ryan Braun, Avisail Garcia, and Lorenzo Cain have already played their best years of baseball. I have a feeling that Darvish is going to pick up where he left off last season, giving the Brew Crew quite a bit of trouble on Saturday.
The Cubs’ offense should get busy early against Burnes, giving us some chances for long balls. He’ll only last two innings or so as the opener, but Chicago should be alright as long as they don’t see Josh Hader.
