MLB Odds: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers NLDS series preview and prediction

The Chicago Cubs enter October as the underdog against their long-time rivals. The Milwaukee Brewers, the National League’s top seed, stormed to the best record in baseball and enjoyed a bye through the Wild Card round. The Cubs, meanwhile, survived a tense three-game set against San Diego to book this NLDS berth. 

The Brewers are playoff regulars but have only broken through to one NLCS in 2018, while the Cubs, though less frequent participants of late, boast a deeper October pedigree, winning the 2016 World Series and making three consecutive NLCS’ from 2015-17. In a rivalry this close, expect drama.

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Cubs vs. Brewers MLB NLDS Odds and Betting Trends

Oddsmakers see little difference between these clubs: Milwaukee sits as the slight series favourite at -118, while the Cubs are just behind at -102. The season series reflected that parity, with Chicago edging it 7-6, including three wins in their final four meetings.

Both offences produced nearly identical results head-to-head (.702 OPS Cubs vs. .707 OPS Brewers), and both teams rank among MLB’s top-five in defensive metrics. Milwaukee’s depth on the mound gives them an edge, but the Cubs’ ability to hit in key spots (fourth in OPS with runners in scoring position) can’t be ignored.

Chicago Cubs

Chicago arrived here by outlasting San Diego in the Wild Card, riding strong pitching from Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, stellar defence from Dansby Swanson, and timely hitting. Rookie Cade Horton, the NL Rookie of the Year favourite, remains sidelined with a rib issue, so Colin Rea likely starts Game 1 before Boyd, Imanaga, and Taillon round out the rotation. 

At the plate, the Cubs are more dangerous on the road (.761 OPS, third-best in MLB), with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker carrying particular success against Freddy Peralta. Defensively, no team is stronger up the middle, where Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and PCA form baseball’s best trio.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers’ identity has shifted from underdog to front-runner. Freddy Peralta headlines the rotation after a 17-6, 2.70 ERA season, supported by Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, and veteran José Quintana. Milwaukee’s bullpen is stacked with firepower, led by Jacob Misiorowski, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill. 

Offensively, they aren’t star-driven but thrive on balance, with Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, and Brice Turang all capable of big swings. Milwaukee ranked first in batting average against lefties this season and fourth in OPS in “Late and Close” situations, showing their knack for clutch hitting.

MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Cubs vs. Brewers NLDS?

This series is razor-tight, with Milwaukee’s rested rotation and bullpen depth clashing against Chicago’s momentum and defensive dominance. The Cubs have already proven battle-tested after their Wild Card grind, while the Brewers face the challenge of shaking off six days’ rust after the bye.

With Chicago’s knack for scoring in key moments and their strong play against Milwaukee late in the year, the upset potential is real. Prediction: Cubs win the NLDS in four games, advancing past their rivals at plus money.