Brewers vs. Cubs Predictions, Odds & Best Bets: Expert Picks for Aug. 18 Doubleheader

We've got you covered for both games of today's doubleheader between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 18, 2025 7:12 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Brewers vs. Cubs Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Monday, Aug. 18 — Pictured: Cade Horton delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays as we offer our Brewers vs. Cubs Prediction. Photo by Dan Hamilton via Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers had their franchise-record 14-game winning streak snapped yesterday, but still enter the doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs with a massive eight-game lead in the National League Central.

Our Brewers vs. Cubs prediction and best bets expect Cade Horton to lead Chicago to a win in the opener, with a Cubs slugger continuing to struggle.

Game 1 of the doubleheader from Wrigley Field is a makeup of the June 18 game and is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, airing on MLB Network. The second game is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.

⚾ Brewers vs. Cubs predictions & odds: Game 1

🔎 Our NEW MLB player prop odds tool can help you find the best MLB odds to make your best MLB picks.

Brewers vs. Cubs prediction: Cubs to win (-125 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Over/Under prediction: Under 8.5 (-104 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
Best player prop pick: Either Seiya Suzuki or Pete Crow-Armstrong to hit a home run (+165 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

📊 Live Brewers vs. Cubs odds: Game 1

🧢 Brewers vs. Cubs starting pitchers: Game 1

Brewers: Freddy Peralta (14-5, 2.90 ERA)
Cubs: Cade Horton (7-3, 3.07 ERA)

💰 Brewers vs. Cubs prediction & best bet: Game 1

✅ Best bet: Cubs to win (-125 via BetMGM)

Up To $1,500 First Bet

Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Claim $1,500

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Milwaukee blew a one-run ninth-inning lead yesterday, deprived of being the first team with a 15-game winning streak since 2021. But do not weep for a Brewers team that has won 29 of its last 34 and 53 of 70.

The odds at our best sports betting apps suggested Milwaukee’s streak would end yesterday, making it just the third team since 2000 to be an underdog while on a winning streak of 14-plus games.

That makes it hard to ignore that the Brewers are underdogs once again, with the line moving away from them.

Cubs righty Cade Horton has pitched to a 0.32 ERA since the All-Star break, the best of any starting pitcher. He also has a WHIP of 0.71 and an OBA of .120 in 28 ⅓ innings in the second half, and I expect him to send Milwaukee to its first losing streak since July 25-26.

Chicago’s odds have risen as high as -132 at DraftKings, so I am taking advantage of the lower number at BetMGM before it aligns with the rest of the market.

⚾ Brewers vs. Cubs predictions & odds: Game 2

Brewers vs. Cubs prediction: Brewers to win (+105 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐
Over/Under prediction: Under 9 (-115 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best player prop pick: Kyle Tucker Under total bases (OFF) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚾ Brewers vs. Cubs predictions & odds: Game 2

🧢 Brewers vs. Cubs starting pitchers: Game 2

Brewers: N/A
Cubs: N/A

💰 Brewers vs. Cubs prediction & best bet: Game 2

✅ Best bet: Under 9 (-115 via FanDuel)

Bet $5, Win $300 in Bonus Bets

New customers only. Min. first deposit and wager of $5+. Bonus bets are awarded within 72 hours of winning your first wager. T&Cs apply.

Claim $300

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

It is hard to back the Under in a game where neither team has announced its starting pitcher. But we are still making the play thanks to the high total and recent trends.

Absences in Milwaukee’s lineup seemed to catch up with it yesterday, as it was without Jackson Chourio (IL) and Isaac Collins (paternity list).

Chicago has been a more troubled offense for much longer, averaging the fewest runs per game of any National League team since the All-Star break.

Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker is the perfect epitome of the team’s struggle. In the first 97 games before July 20, Tucker hit 18 home runs, had a 90.9 mph average exit velocity, and a 72.1 mph bat speed. In the 22 games since July 20 up to yesterday, Tucker went homerless with an 89.7 mph average exit velocity and a 71.4 mph bat speed.

I would play the Under on Tucker’s total bases down to 0.5 if I were getting good plus-money odds, and would play it at 1.5 up to -160.

💡Expert MLB predictions today

MLB home run predictions today
Best NRFI bets today
Astros vs. Tigers prediction
Blue Jays vs. Pirates prediction
Mariners vs. Phillies prediction
Reds vs. Angels prediction
Brewers vs. Cubs doubleheader prediction

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”