The Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers in the final matchup of this five-game series at Wrigley Field. MLB odds list Chicago as a -145 favorite, while the total sits at seven.
My Brewers vs. Cubs predictions target the total in this NL Central matchup.
Read on for my MLB picks for Thursday, August 21.
Brewers vs Cubs prediction
Brewers vs Cubs best bet: Under 7 (-110)
The Milwaukee Brewers hand the ball to right-hander Quinn Priester, who should serve as a good candidate to back. Through 23 appearances on the mound this season, Priester is 11-2 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.
His underlying metrics are equally impressive. Entering this matchup, the right-hander ranks in the top half of the league in xERA, walk rate and barrel rate.
This success is likely to continue against the Chicago Cubs, a team he fared well against in their previous meeting. Priester allowed just two runs in nearly six innings of work.
A pitching duel could be in store, given that left-hander Shota Imanaga takes the mound for the Cubs. Entering this matchup, Imanaga is 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
Like Priester, Imanaga’s analytics suggest continued success. This season, Imanaga ranks in the top half of the league in xERA, xBA, walk rate and hard-hit rate.
Also like Priester, Imanaga has demonstrated success against Thursday’s opponent, given that the southpaw has allowed three or fewer runs against the Brewers in each of their past two meetings.
Brewers vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Imanaga has excelled in making opposing hitters swing and miss as he ranks in the 84th percentile in chase rate. Subsequently, he has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his past four starts.
There were six or fewer runs scored in three of those four outings.
Brewers vs Cubs odds
- Moneyline: Milwaukee +118 | Chicago -141
- Run line: Milwaukee +1.5 (-196) | Chicago -1.5 (+162)
- Over/Under: Over 7 (-110) | Under 7 (-110)
Brewers vs Cubs trend
There have been seven or fewer total runs scored in three of the first four games of this series. Find more MLB betting trends for Brewers vs. Cubs.
How to watch Brewers vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Thursday, August 21, 2025 |
| First pitch | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB Network |
| Brewers starting pitcher | Quinn Priester (11-2, 3.48 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Shota Imanaga (8-5, 3.06 ERA) |
Brewers vs Cubs latest injuries
Brewers vs Cubs weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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