The Cubs and Brewers are set to face off in a matchup that promises intensity. Chicago has been putting up serious numbers, with a lineup that’s been mashing at home, powered by consistent production from top hitters. Milwaukee, despite their ups and downs, has a dangerous core led by Christian Yelich, and they’re never far from a breakout performance. With Freddy Peralta’s strikeout arsenal going up against Cade Horton’s fastball-heavy approach, this game shapes up to be a compelling duel between two teams with plenty to play for. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Thursday baseball game between the Cubs and the Brewers.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Yankees vs. Angels prediction, preview
Carlos Rodón brings a 3.01 ERA into this contest, supported by an elite 10.74 K/9 strikeout rate and 13.1% swinging strike rate. His fastball-slider combo has been tough to hit, but his wOBA against lefties (.327) could come into play here with left-handed power in the Angels’ lineup, notably from Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel. Rodón’s .323 xwOBA and 1.10 HR/9 against lefties do leave room for concerns, especially in Yankee Stadium, a hitter-friendly park. His expected ERA of 3.08 suggests a potential for regression.
Tyler Anderson, with a 4.44 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 2025, has been less dominant. His 7.1 K/9 and 1.12 HR/9 suggest a pitcher who’s vulnerable to power hitters, which makes the Yankees’ explosive lineup even more dangerous. Anderson’s 3.75 xERA confirms that he’s not been overly lucky, and his average K-rate and elevated walk rate could spell trouble against the Yankees.
The Yankees are one of the league’s top offenses, ranking 5th in home runs with 108, and boasting an impressive .197 ISO. Their 39.4% hard-hit rate places them in the top five, and they’ve backed that up with a top-tier OBP of .322. Aaron Judge leads this lineup with a 157 wRC+ and .287 ISO against lefties. He’s a constant threat to turn any at-bat into a game-changing moment. And, to boot, is in scorching form, slashing .375/.460/.625 over his last 10 games, with four homers and 10 RBIs, showing his ability to punish left-handed pitchers. Cody Bellinger is also hot, hitting .368 with a .450 OBP in his past 10 games, showing both power and consistency. Paul Goldschmidt is in fine form as well, slashing .310/.392/.500 over the same stretch.
The Angels’ offense is underperforming relative to their potential, ranking 14th in runs but still capable of striking quickly. They’ve struggled with a .225 team batting average, ranking near the bottom in OBP at .300. However, Mike Trout remains one of the best in the game, boasting a .367 wOBA and 119 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. Taylor Ward has been productive, with a .350 wOBA and solid power numbers, hitting 18 homers this year. Schanuel has been crucial to the Angels’ ability to extend innings, with his .374 OBP and a strikeout rate under 6%.
Meanwhile, Zach Neto continues to provide solid on-base value with a .316 wOBA and a 101 wRC+ against righties. With the Yankees’ depth and Judge’s recent power surge, they look poised to make a statement, though the Angels’ top hitters like Mike Trout and Taylor Ward will provide a solid counter.
Angels vs. Yankees pick, best bet
The Yankees have been a bit inconsistent recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Their offensive numbers have taken a hit over the past five games, with a .235 team average and .300 OBP. Still, they remain potent, and their bullpen has been solid with a 3.39 ERA. The Angels, meanwhile, have been on a tear, winning seven of their last 10. Their offense has been producing 5.8 runs per game in that span, while their bullpen has posted a 3.45 ERA.
This game sets up to favor the Yankees. While Rodón is due for some regression, he should still outperform Anderson, who’s been exposed by high-powered offenses. The Yankees’ offensive depth—especially against left-handed pitching—puts them in an advantageous position. The Angels will need Trout and Ward to produce big-time to keep pace, but even with that, their inconsistency will be hard to overcome.
