Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) in action against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.

The Chicago Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers Monday for Game 2 of the best-of-5 NL Division Series. The Brewers lead 1-0. First pitch from American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is at 9:08 p.m. ET (TBS). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Cubs vs. Brewers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Cubs won the regular-season series 7-6 and entered the series opener having 5 of their previous 6 games, but SP Matthew Boyd was chased after only 2/3 of an inning, allowing 6 runs (only 2 earned), as the Brewers won 9-3. The Cubs' runs came from solo home runs by 1B Michael Busch, 2B Nico Hoerner and OF Ian Happ.

The Brewers are the No. 1 seed in the NL and had almost a week of rest before Game 1. SP Freddy Peralta went 5 2/3 innings (4 H, 2ER, 3 BB, 9K) for the win. Milwaukee pounded out 13 hits and scored their 9 runs in the first 2 innings without a home run.

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Cubs at Brewers projected starters

LHP Shota Imanaga vs. LHP Aaron Ashby

Imanaga (9-8, 3.73 ERA in regular season) made 25 starts. He had a 0.99 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 144 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 3-0 home loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card
  • Last start vs. Brewers (Aug. 21): Loss, 7 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 4-1 loss in Chicago
  • Career vs. Brewers: 1-3, 5.73 ERA (22 IP, 14 ER), 1.09 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 4 starts
  • 2025 road splits: 5-5, 3.44 ERA (73 1/3 IP, 28 ER), 0.98 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 13 starts

Ashby (5-2, 2.16 ERA) made 43 regular-season appearances with 1 start. He had a 1.17 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 through 66 2/3 innings.

  • Last appearance: No-decision, 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K in Game 1
  • Including Game 1, has had 8 consecutive scoreless appearances
  • 2025 vs. Cubs: 0-0, 4.15 ERA (8 2/3 IP, 4 ER), 1.04 WHIP, 6.2 K/9 in 3 relief appearances
  • 2025 home splits: 1-1, 1.46 ERA (37 IP, 6 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 in 1 start and 22 relief appearances

Cubs at Brewers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:03 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Cubs +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Brewers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+190) | Brewers +1.5 (-160)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: +100 | U: -120)

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Cubs at Brewers picks and predictions

Prediction

Brewers 5, Cubs 4

Moneyline

The Cubs have lost 5 straight road games. The Brewers went 52-29 at home in the regular season and have won 7 of their last 10 games at American Family Field, including Game 1.

Milwaukee is essentially going with a bullpen game with Ashby as the opener. The Brewers bullpen had a 3.63 regular-season ERA, No. 7 in the majors.

Imanaga has not been great in his career against the Brewers.

BET BREWERS (-130).

Run line/Against the spread

Since we expect an outright win, the moneyline is the better play, but there is something to consider. The Brewers' last 6 wins over the Cubs have been by more than 1 run. Consider BREWERS -1.5 (+160) to give you some real value.

Over/Under

Game 1 had a total of 12.

The trend in the divisional series in both leagues has been higher-scoring games. Four of the 6 games played so far have had totals of 8 or more.

Imanaga's last 2 starts surpassed 8 total runs.

BET OVER 8 (+100).

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Jess Root, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect