It is an NL Central weekend series as the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Chicago Cubs. It is time to continue our MLB odds series with a Brewers-Cubs prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.

The Brewers will be coming into the series with at least a share of first place in the NL Central. After taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Brewers are 19-11 on the year. They have Thursday off, but the Cubs will be playing Thursday afternoon. The Cubs will play in New York against the Mets. They enter the game sitting at 19-12 on the year, which is a half-game behind the Mets.  They send Ben Brown to the mound on Thursday. He is 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA this year. With a win, the Cubs will have a share of first with the Brewers heading into the series.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Brewers-Cubs Odds

Milwaukee Brewers: +1.5 (-220)

Moneyline: +108

Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+180)

Moneyline: -126

Over: 7.5 (-122)

Under: 7.5 (+100)

How to Watch Brewers vs. Cubs

Time: 2:20 PM ET/ 11:20 AM PT

TV: BSWI/MARQ

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Brewers Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Brewers are tied for fourth in the majors in runs scored, while sitting fourth in batting average second in on-base percentage, and fourth in slugging. William Contreras has been solid this year, leading the team in many offensive categories. He comes in leading the team in runs, RBIs, and hitting this year. Contreras is hitting .345 on the year with a .420 on-base percentage. He has eight doubles and five home runs, leading to his 25 RBIs. Contreras has also stolen two bases and scored 28 times this year. Stealing bases has been a specialty of Brice Turang. He has stolen 14 of them this year. Turang is hitting .309 on the top ear with a .370 on-base percentage. He has six doubles and two home runs, leading to 12 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Sitting second on the team in RBIs and leading the team in home runs has been Willy Adames. He comes in hitting .278 this year with a .373 on-base percentage, Adames has seven doubles and six home runs, helping him with 21 RBIs. Further, he has stolen four bases and scored 18 times. He also has ten RBIs in just his last seven games. Coming into the game hot is Joey Ortiz. He is hitting .294 in the last week, with three doubles, a home run, and five RBIs.

The Brewers are 18th in the majors in team ERA while sitting 20th in WHIP and 16th in opponent batting average. Joe Ross will be heading to the mound in this one. Ross is 1-3 on the year with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. Last time out, he gave up seven runs, with six earned in five innings of work. Current members of the Cubs have hit .333 lifetime against Ross with two home runs and eight RBIs.

Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Cubs are ninth in the majors in runs scored this year, while sitting 19th in batting average, 13th in on-base percentage, and 16th in slugging. It is Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger who lead the team in RBIs this year. Busch is hitting .255 on the year with a .321 on-base percentage. He has six home runs, which is the most on the team, plus four doubles. This has led to his 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored.  Bellinger is hitting just .226 on the year with a .320 on-base percentage. He has a double, triple, and five home runs, leading to 17 RBIS and 10 runs scored.

Pete Crow-Armstrong comes in hitting well in the last week. He is hitting .250 but with a double and a home run. This has led to him driving in five runs in the l; last seven games. Mike Tachuman is hitting .318 in the last week, with a .483 on-base percentage. He has a home run and two RBIs as well while scoring five runs in his last seven games.

The Cubs pitching is 16th in team ERA while sitting 17th in WHIP and 15th in opponent batting average. Hayden Wesneski will be on the mound for the Cubs in this one. He has made just one start this year, going five innings and giving up just one earned run. Wesneski has made three appearances this year overall, coming away with two wins and a .87 ERA in those games.

Final Brewers-Cubs Prediction & Pick

Both teams are very similar. They both have solid offensive units, with middle-of-the-pack pitching. The Cubs will have the better starter going to the mound in this one, but Wesneski has not gone over five innings. With them playing in back-to-back games, this could be an issue, while the Brewers have a day off. Expect a close game in this one.

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Final Brewers-Cubs Prediction & Pick: Milwaukee Brewers: +1.5 (-220)