The Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers on May 18, 2026. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on BREW.
The Cubs are favored by -165 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Brewers are +135 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 10.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Brewers vs Cubs prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Brewers vs Cubs Prediction
- Brewers vs Cubs Pick: Under 10.5 (-105 or Better)
My Brewers vs Cubs best bet is on the Under. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Brewers vs Cubs Odds
| Brewers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -130 | 10.5 -115o / -105u | +140 |
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +110 | 10.5 -115o / -105u | -165 |
- Brewers vs Cubs moneyline: Brewers +135, Cubs -165
- Brewers vs Cubs over/under: 10.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Brewers vs Cubs spread: Cubs -1.5 (+111 ), Brewers +1.5 (-133)
Brewers vs Cubs Probable Pitchers
| Brandon Sproat (RHP) | Stat | Shota Imanaga (LHP) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | W-L | 4-3 |
| -0.3 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.6 |
| 5.75/4.81 | ERA / xERA | 2.32/2.90 |
| 5.73/4.45 | FIP / xFIP | 2.84/3.25 |
| 10.4 | K-BB% | 21.8 |
| 40 | GB% | 36.2 |
| .303 | BABIP | .231 |
| 101 | Stuff+ | 95 |
| 93 | Location+ | 106 |
Brewers vs Cubs MLB Betting Preview
Editor’s Note: This written pick is a transcription from today's episode of the Payoff Pitch Podcast.
A lot of people are expecting a slugfest in this matchup between the Brewers and Cubs because the wind is blowing out at Wrigley today. Everyone’s assuming it’s going to be a 12-11 type of game, but it’s not quite that extreme.
It’s only going to be in the low 70s, dropping into the high 60s. The wind is blowing out at about 14 mph — not the 20+ mph days where we see totals pushed up to 12.5 or 13. I make this total right around 9.7. I’m betting the Under 10.5 down to -105 (or better). I’d also take Under 10 at even money.
We’ll need to monitor the umpire, but I also like both bullpens in this spot. Shota Imanaga is the type of pitcher who has traditionally struggled in this kind of environment, but his stuff has taken a step forward this year. His command and control of the strike zone have improved as well.
Even though the weather is boosting offense — I’ve added roughly a 20-25% boost to my neutral-weather projection — I’m still about a full run below the market total. On a normal weather day at Wrigley, I’d have this game closer to 7.5. I’ve added nearly two runs for the wind, and I’m still coming in under 10.
I hate betting wind-out Unders at Wrigley because it’s very contrarian, and when it loses, you look silly. But this feels like a good spot to take one today.
Pick: Under 10.5 (-105 or Better)
