Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction: Can Justin Steele Rack Up the Strikeouts?
The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs enter game three of their series tonight. Can Justin Steele rack up the strikeouts? Ben Rajavuori provides his prediction and pick for the game.
Ben Rajavuori - July 5, 2023, 4:49 PM EDT
5 minMilwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction: Can Justin Steele Rack Up the Strikeouts?
The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs enter game three of the series tonight with the records knotted up 1-1. The Brewers currently sit ahead of the Cubs in the standings, as their 46-40 is good for second place in the NL Central, one game behind the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs are 39-45 and sit in fourth place, seven games behind the Reds. Tonight, the Cubs send Justin Steele to the bump to take care of the Brewers.
Brewers vs. Cubs Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: July 5, 2023
- Time: 8:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction
Justin Steele has been having an excellent season, to say the least. The Southpaw leads the entire MLB with a 2.43 ERA and has a 9-2 pitching record on the books. Steele has had quality starts left and right all season, including his season debut against the Brewers, where he went six innings with zero earned runs and eight strikeouts. He should have an opportunity to have a similar stat line again and dominate tonight.
The Brewers have been pretty lackluster against left-handed pitching this season. The Brewers are DEAD LAST in OPS and batting average against lefties, sporting a .656 OPS and .218 batting average versus lefties this season. That is below some of the worst teams in the league, including the A's and the Rockies. It hasn't been any better with swings and misses. The Brewers are also dead last in strikeout rate against lefties, striking out in 27.9% of plate appearances.
Justin Steele has not had the best strikeout numbers despite leading the MLB in ERA. Steele is in the 32nd percentile for strikeouts, getting .89 per inning. However, because the Brewers have sucked so much against lefties, Steele should have a good number of strikeouts tonight. Also, because Steele has been pitching so well, he should go at least six innings tonight, meaning he would need one strikeout per inning to hit the over on his line of 5.5. Steele has hit six or more strikeouts in five straight meetings with the Brewers and eight or more in three of the last five. In 60 at-bats for the current roster against Steele, the Brewers have 22 strikeouts, good for a 36.6% strikeout rate. Six should be no problem for Steele tonight with the roll he is on.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Pick
2 Unit Pick: Justin Steele O5.5 Ks -120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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