Brewers vs. Cubs Opening Day 2020 Preview
MLB is back! Here at FHW we are excited to bring you our free picks and analysis as we head into this 2020 season. So many questions arise as we head into a season unlike any other. No fans, a condensed schedule of 60 games, designated hitters for both leagues (which I am thrilled about) and of course the aura of Covid-19 in the clubhouse. Let’s not dwell on the pandemic too much, we have had enough of that over the past 4 months, let’s try to focus on the matchups, the stats, the lineups… you know, all the things that we love as sports handicappers. The Chicago Cubs will kick off their first of three weekend home games against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field at 7:10 EST in each team’s season opener.
Lines
CHI -120 -1.5 +160 Over 8.5 Under 8.5
MIL +115 +1.5 -178 -115 +104
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Manager Craig Counsell will give the starting nod to Brandon Woodruff in the season opener. The 27-year old right-hander was able to collect a 3.62 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP and an 11-3 record in 22 starts last season. Woodruff faced the Cubs once last season pitching 4 innings giving up 4 ER with 8K’s. Woodruff has experienced trouble against the Cubs’ having surrendered 11 runs on 17 hits in his 14 career innings pitched against Chicago
Notable is the fact that Woodruff was one of the best in the majors at keeping the ball in the park, allowing only 0.89 home runs per nine frames, 10th among players with at least 100 innings pitched.
The Milwaukee Brewers will be attempting to qualify for postseason play for the third consecutive season. They did however lose a few key pieces to free agency with the departures of C Yasmani Grandal and 2B Mike Moustakas. The Brewers did pick up backstop Omar Narvaez, 1B Justin Smoak, 2B Eric Sogard, OF Avisail Garcia, 3B Jedd Gyorko and 2B Brock Holt to bolster the roster.
The Brewers offense revolves around star Christian Yelich. The 28-year old right fielder compiled a .329 average with 44 HR and 97 RBI’s in 2019. Yelich has had much success against the Cubs. He recorded a .315 average with five homers and a solid 16 RBI’s in 73 at-bats against Chicago last season. Yelich has 6 hits and 1 HR against Hendricks in 24 career at-bats.
CHICAGO CUBS
The Cubs will send 30-year old RHP Kyle Hendricks to the mound, although his ERA has dipped in three straight seasons. The six-year veteran tallied a 3.46 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP which led to an 11-10 record in 177 innings last year in 30 starts. Hendricks allowed four runs in nine innings against Milwaukee last season and owns a superb 3.08 ERA in his 21 career starts against the Brew Crew posting a record of 8-6 over his career.
Hendricks was much better at Wrigley last season as he posted an impressive 2.04 ERA over 14 starts going 6-2 against a 5.02 ERA in 16 road outings good for a record of 5 wins to 8 losses.
General Manager Theo Epstein opted to bring in former Cubs’ catcher David Ross to take over for Joe Maddon who departed to coach the Los Angeles Angels. Ross most notably was on the Cubs squad that won the World Series in 2016 and the rookie manager will certainly have some very familiar faces in the clubhouse.
The Cubs had a rather quiet offseason considering they did not reach the postseason after struggling in the month of September which ultimately led to Maddon’s removal. The Cubs’ lineup still remains very dangerous with World Series holdovers 3B Kris Bryant, 1B Anthony Rizzo, OF/C Kyle Schwarber and OF Javier Baez. The Cubs scored an average of 5.02 runs per game in 2019, good for 10th overall.
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Conclusion
The Brewers went 10-9 against the Cubs last season but are just 2-6 in their last 8 at Wrigley Field which leads me to give the edge to Chicago to win outright in David Ross’ managerial debut. Let’s put a wager on Chicago Cubs -120 to take the season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Good Luck Cappers!
