Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers - May 4, 2025

As a retired coach who’s spent years analyzing the ebb and flow of game strategy, it’s fascinating to delve into this matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. On one side, we have Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ left-hander, boasting a solid record of 3-1 with a 2.1 ERA. He brings a deceptive arsenal that can keep hitters off balance, especially in high-pressure situations. This season has seen him striking out around 7.7 batters per nine innings—a stat that speaks volumes about his ability to navigate lineups effectively.

Conversely, Freddy Peralta takes the mound for the Brewers with an overall record of 3-2 and an ERA sitting at 4.4. While not as dominant as Imanaga, he possesses strikeout potential with approximately 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings as well. It will be critical for Peralta to maintain command over his pitches; otherwise, he could fall victim to a potent Cubs lineup that scores an impressive average of 6.3 runs per game.

The Cubs are riding high on a three-game winning streak and have shown they can generate offense consistently—averaging nearly 9.6 hits and over six RBIs per contest this season while maintaining a batting average of .259 with respectable slugging figures above 78%. Their recent form against the Brewers includes victories by scores like 6-2, indicating they’ve found ways to exploit Milwaukee’s pitching weaknesses.

On the flip side, the Brewers have been struggling lately; they’re currently on a three-game skid following their recent loss to Chicago. With only about five runs scored per game and a batting average slightly under .240, their offensive struggles need immediate attention if they hope to turn this tide around today.

Looking at team dynamics is equally important here—while individual stats matter greatly during gameplay analysis, how these players interact under pressure can change outcomes entirely. The Cubs seem more confident in their approach right now compared to the beleaguered Brewers.

With oddsmakers placing slight favor toward Chicago (-103), it’s clear that public sentiment aligns closely with recent performance trends despite both teams’ historical competitiveness when facing each other (the Brewers hold an edge in head-to-head matchups).

As I reflect on past seasons coaching various teams through similar challenges—high-pressure matchups amid streaks—I see parallels here: When your momentum is rolling like it is for Chicago versus Milwaukee’s current turmoil—it can often dictate not just outcomes but also player psyche moving forward.

Thus my prediction aligns: given Imanaga’s form coupled with Chicago’s offensive capabilities against Peralta’s inconsistencies on any given day —I’d expect a solid win from the Cubs while anticipating that total runs exceed expected values as both lineups adapt mid-game under evolving circumstances—the Over bet looks tempting here as well! It’s going to be intriguing baseball regardless—let’s see how it unfolds!