Updated Player Rankings for Brewers vs Cubs – August 18th, 2025

Milwaukee Brewers

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Chicago Cubs

As the Chicago Cubs prepare to host the Milwaukee Brewers on August 18, 2025, the stakes are high in this National League Central matchup. Both teams are having strong seasons, with the Brewers holding a commanding 78-45 record, while the Cubs sit at 70-53. This game marks the second in a double-header, and both teams will likely adjust their lineups after yesterday’s contest, where the Cubs edged out the Brewers 4-3.

The Cubs will send Jameson Taillon to the mound. While Taillon has had an average season with a 4.44 ERA and a 7-6 record, he ranks as the 162nd best starting pitcher in MLB, indicating some struggles. His projections suggest he may allow 2.7 earned runs over an average of 5.6 innings, but his high projected hits allowed (5.6) and walks (1.2) could be concerning against a potent Brewers lineup.

On the other side, Chad Patrick, who has started 18 games this season with a 3.52 ERA, is projected to pitch 4.9 innings and allow 3.0 earned runs. Despite his solid ERA, he ranks among the worst pitchers in MLB, which could give the Cubs’ offense, ranked 6th overall, an opportunity to capitalize. The Cubs’ offensive prowess is reflected in their ability to generate runs, and with their best hitter performing well lately, they could exploit Patrick’s vulnerabilities.

With the Game Total set at 9.0 runs, betting markets indicate a closely contested matchup. The Cubs’ moneyline of -120 suggests a slight edge, and with their offensive capabilities and home-field advantage, they may have what it takes to secure a win in this pivotal game.

Milwaukee Brewers Insights

• Milwaukee Brewers – 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline (+100)
  Chad Patrick is an extreme flyball pitcher (39.3% FB% via the leading projection system, THE BAT) and has the benefit of pitching in the #21 HR venue in MLB in today’s game.
  Explain: This pitcher’s skill set matches up particularly well with the park he’s in today, which may lead to better-than-usual performance.
• Joseph Ortiz – Over/Under Total Bases
  Joey Ortiz’s exit velocity on flyballs has dropped off this year; his 90.8-mph mark last season has dropped off to 85.9-mph.
  Explain: Most home runs are flyballs, and the harder those flyballs are hit, the more often they turn into home runs. This is a strong indicator of power.
• Milwaukee Brewers batters as a unit place 30th- in baseball for power this year when using their 6.6% Barrel%.
  Explain: Barrel% measures how often a player hits the ball at the optimal exit velocity and launch angle and is a terrific measure of underlying power.

Chicago Cubs Insights

• Kyle Tucker – Over/Under Total Bases
  Kyle Tucker is an extreme flyball hitter and squares off against the strong outfield defense of Milwaukee (#1-best of all teams on the slate today).
  Explain: This player’s skill set matches up poorly with the opposing team’s defensive strength, which may lead to worse-than-usual performance.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong – Over/Under Total Bases
  Pete Crow-Armstrong pulls a lot of his flyballs (36.7% — 94th percentile) and has the misfortune of hitting them towards baseball’s 5th-deepest RF fences today.
  Explain: This player’s skill set does not match up particularly well with the park he’s in today, which may lead to worse-than-usual performance.

Betting Trends

• Chicago Cubs – 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline (-130)
  The Chicago Cubs have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline in 25 of their last 45 games at home (+12.15 Units / 15% ROI)
• Milwaukee Brewers – Moneyline (+105)
  The Milwaukee Brewers have hit the Moneyline in 76 of their last 117 games (+31.80 Units / 21% ROI)