Friday MLB Odds Preview: Cubs Face Brewers

In a tight battle for first place in the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers kick off a three-game set in Milwaukee on Friday night.

The Cubs have quickly moved past the Brewers by winning eight of their last 10 games heading into Thursday’s action. The Brewers were unable to keep pace with a 2-8 mark in their last 10 games.

On Friday Chicago will start Jose Quintana (6-8, 4.22 ERA), while Milwaukee will go with Brent Suter (1-1, 2.84 ERA).

In two starts since getting traded to the Cubs Quintana is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA. Last time out against the St. Louis Cardinals he went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. He’s only faced Milwaukee twice in his career, posting a 1-0 record with an 0.60 ERA.

Suter has appeared in 12 games this season, but has made only five starts. In his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies he recorded a no-decision after giving up one run in six innings. He has faced the Cubs twice this season out of the bullpen and was roughed up for four runs in only 1 1-3 innings.

In nine game between the Cubs and Brewers this season Chicago is ahead with five wins. Offense hasn’t been hard to come by with eight of those games going OVER the posted total. In Milwaukee the Cubs are 2-1 this season and 10-6 in their last 16.

In the American League on Friday night, the surging Kansas City Royals visit the Boston Red Sox.

The Royals have won eight straight and will hand the ball to Jason Vargas (12-4, 3.08 ERA). David Price (5-3, 3.82 ERA) is scheduled to start for Boston, who ended a four-game losing streak on Wednesday night.

The Royals are 10-1 in Vargas’ last 11 starts, but he had to settle for a no-decision last time out against the Chicago White Sox after allowing two runs on seven hits in five innings. He hasn’t faced Boston this season but in seven career starts he is 2-3 with a 3.74 ERA.

Price had a rough outing in his last start after allowing six runs on seven hits in five innings in a loss against the Los Angeles Angels. This will be his first start of the season against the Royals and in eight career games against them he is 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA.

The Royals took two of three from Boston earlier this season and they’re 8-3 in their last 11. They are also 4-1 in their last five games in Boston.