Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/1/2023

Time: 2:20 p.m. ET

Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: BSWI, MARQ

DraftKings: Check back later for odds

BetMGM: Check back later for odds

Caesars: Check back later for odds

Brewers: 0-1

Cubs: 1-0

As the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs prepare to face off in their second matchup of the 2023 season on April 2, fans from both sides are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting game.

The Cubs blanked the Brewers 4-0 on Opening Day behind a strong pitching performance from Marcus Stroman (6 IP, 8K) and three hits in the Chicago debut of Dansby Swanson.

"This is not like an 'I told you so,' moment," Swanson said. "But it's just awesome when you're proved right. I think it's just such a great thing for our team, because it just gives even more believability in who we are."

The Brewers, per usual, didn't get any offense when needed. Corbin Burnes went five innings and was charged with four earned runs, four hits and three walks.

“We didn’t have the best stuff today, that was for sure,” Burnes said. “I was proud of how I was able to get outs early on the ground. We knew they were going to be swinging. In that third inning, you could see they made a change there. They shortened up and got the ball in play and got a couple of singles and got that thing going.” 

As the two teams prepare to meet on the field, let's take a closer look at what fans can expect from this exciting matchup.

One key player to watch for the Brewers is Christian Yelich. Yelich is a former National League MVP who has been an integral part of the Brewers' success in recent years. Despite a down year in 2022, Yelich is still one of the most talented players in the league and will be looking to get back to his MVP form in the upcoming season. If Yelich can get off to a strong start in this game, it could set the tone for the Brewers' offense for the rest of the season.

Another player to watch for the Brewers is Keston Hiura. Hiura is a young second baseman who showed a lot of promise in his rookie season in 2019. He struggled in 2020 and 2021, but the Brewers are hopeful that he can bounce back in the upcoming season. If Hiura can find his swing again, he could be a key contributor to the Brewers' offense in this game and throughout the season.

On the Cubs' side, one player to watch is Javier Baez. Baez is a talented shortstop who has been one of the Cubs' most consistent hitters in recent years. He has a knack for getting big hits in clutch situations and could be a key player in this game if the Cubs need a big hit late in the game.

Another player to watch for the Cubs is new outfielder Nick Castellanos. Castellanos signed with the Cubs in the offseason after spending the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. He is a talented hitter who has a career batting average of .277 and could be a key contributor to the Cubs' offense in this game and throughout the season.

When it comes to pitching, both teams have some talented arms that could make a big impact in this game. The Brewers have a strong starting rotation led by Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes, both of whom had impressive seasons in 2022. The Cubs, meanwhile, have some talented young pitchers like Adbert Alzolay who could make an impact in the upcoming season.

Overall, this game promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams looking to make a statement early in the season. Both teams have some key players who could make a big impact on the outcome of the game, and it will be interesting to see how the two teams match up against each other.

Prediction

The Cubs' revamped rotation is going to have some watchful eyes. And might be a thorn in Milwaukee's side. Cubs 5, Brewers 2

Check back later for trends.

Brewers:
Christian Yelich (L) LF
Jesse Winker (L) DH
Willy Adames (R) SS
Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B
William Contreras (R) C
Luis Urias (R) 3B
Garrett Mitchell (L) CF
Brian Anderson (R) RF
Brice Turang (L) 2B

Cubs:
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Ian Happ (S) LF
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Trey Mancini (R) DH
Yan Gomes (R) C
Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B
Miles Mastrobuoni (L) RF