Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Chicago Cubs host the opener of a National League Central series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The Cubs lead the Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals by five games in the race for the division title with 22 games left to play.

The Chicago Cubs are -148 favorites against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers are the underdogs against Chicago Cubs at 5.2-3.8.

Jimmy Nelson has a 3.59 ERA in his last four starts. Milwaukee has won all four of them. Nelson threw seven shutout innings against the Washington Nationals last Friday.

John Lackey has been at his best down the stretch for the defending NL Central champions. Lacke has lost just once since June 28 and has a 6-1 record in 10 starts. The Cubs took two of three at Milwaukee at the end of July.

Brewers have lost seven of 12 games to Chicago this year. With a victory, the Brewers can put themselves in great position for a series win and host another four-game set at the end of the month.

The total has gone under in five of Milwaukee's last six games. Chicago is 9-1 in its last 10 games at home.