Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions May 4th 2025

Cubs Aim to Sweep Slumping Brewers Behind Explosive Offense

After two statement wins in Milwaukee, the Chicago Cubs are heading into Sunday’s series finale with a chance to complete a clean sweep of the division-rival Brewers. Their bats are hot, their pitching is locked in, and they’ve won four of their last five games.

Saturday’s 6-2 win followed a dominant 10-0 blowout Friday night. Across this red-hot stretch, the Cubs have shown exactly why they lead the National League in batting average (.265), runs scored (208), on-base percentage (.341), and slugging percentage (.462).

They’ll look to keep that offensive fire burning against Milwaukee’s ace Freddy Peralta, while Shota Imanaga gets the nod for Chicago.

Want to explore top picks and trends? Head over to the MLB Pick Page for expert breakdowns.

Pete Crow-Armstrong: A Star in the Making

The spotlight this weekend has belonged to Pete Crow-Armstrong. The 23-year-old center fielder has launched three home runs in two days, including a thunderous three-run shot Saturday that helped the Cubs take early control.

With those blasts, Crow-Armstrong now shares the team lead in homers (9) with Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker. But it’s more than just power—his defensive range, baserunning instincts, and contact skills have scouts buzzing about long-term potential.

“The bat speed right now from Pete kind of stands out,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “It’s been the power lately, but great players can affect the game in so many ways. He has that ability.”

Crow-Armstrong’s emergence adds another weapon to a Cubs offense that’s already top-tier by every metric. To stay updated on top hitters across the league, check out the MLB Team Page.

Shota Imanaga Returns to the Hill

Sunday’s starter for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who comes in at 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA. The 31-year-old lefty is fresh off five shutout innings against the Pirates last Tuesday, a sharp rebound that saw him limit damage despite allowing six hits.

He’ll face a Brewers lineup that tagged him last season. In his only career start against Milwaukee, Imanaga surrendered seven earned runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-6 loss.

But this version of Imanaga is different—his command has improved, and he’s become more confident pitching to contact. If he can mix speeds and keep the ball on the ground, he could be the key to locking up the sweep.

Find player performance projections and pitching matchup insights on the MLB Odds Page.

Brewers’ Offense Running Cold

After three straight losses, including back-to-back defeats to the Cubs, the Brewers are searching for answers at the plate. Over that stretch, they’ve scored just two runs, both coming in Saturday’s loss.

Rhys Hoskins homered to provide a spark, and Brice Turang added an RBI single—but the offense never truly threatened. Confidence seems to be waning, according to Hoskins.

“When skids like this happen, confidence takes a hit,” he said. “The ball’s not bouncing our way. We’re just getting beat.”

Milwaukee still boasts solid talent throughout the lineup, but slumps have hit key contributors. Their season-long production now lags well behind the division-leading Cubs in every major offensive category.

For batting trends and team splits, visit the Expert Betting Guide for the most accurate breakdowns.

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Freddy Peralta Looks to Stop the Bleeding

To avoid the sweep, the Brewers will rely on their most consistent starter, Freddy Peralta. He’s been strong this season with a 3-2 record and a 2.52 ERA, and is coming off a solid performance against the White Sox, where he allowed just two runs over six innings.

Peralta has a long and successful history against the Cubs. In 18 career appearances (13 starts) against them, he owns a 6-2 record and 3.16 ERA—one of his best marks versus any opponent.

Milwaukee will need him to be sharp and efficient Sunday, especially with the bullpen seeing heavy usage over the last two days.

Curious how Peralta stacks up against the league’s best? You can explore pitcher rankings and live ERA shifts on the MLB Team Page.

Keys to the Series Finale

For the Cubs:

• Keep applying pressure early. The Cubs have scored in the first three innings in both wins.
• Let Imanaga attack the strike zone early and work ahead.
• Continue capitalizing with runners in scoring position (they’re 9-for-18 the past two games).

For the Brewers:

• Peralta must go deep to preserve the bullpen.
• Offense must awaken—early contact and working counts will be key.
• Stop the long ball. Chicago has hit six homers so far in the series.

Want to break down the betting angles for each key stat? Visit the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

What’s at Stake?

While it’s still early May, games like this can shape a division’s long-term race. The Cubs are surging, with an offense firing on all cylinders and a pitching staff doing just enough. A sweep would not only send a message—it would extend their dominance in the NL Central.

For the Brewers, a win avoids further slide and keeps them within reach in the standings. More importantly, it would help reset the tone before they head into their next series.

To monitor NL Central odds and long-term projections, check the latest updates on the MLB Odds Page.

Final Prediction: Can Cubs Close the Door?

It’s hard to pick against the Cubs the way they’re hitting right now. Crow-Armstrong is red-hot, the team is producing up and down the lineup, and the starting pitching has been solid.

But Milwaukee still has Peralta—a true ace with a history of dominating the Cubs.

If Peralta can keep the ball in the yard and get six-plus innings, Milwaukee might be able to steal one back. But if the Cubs score early, look out.

Prediction: Cubs 5, Brewers 3

FAQs

Who is starting for the Cubs?
Shota Imanaga (3-1, 2.77 ERA) gets the ball for the series finale.

What’s Pete Crow-Armstrong’s home run total?
He now has 9 home runs, tied for the team lead.

Who’s starting for the Brewers?
Freddy Peralta (3-2, 2.52 ERA), one of Milwaukee’s top arms.

How have the Cubs fared against the Brewers this season?
They’re 2-0 in this series and lead the season series overall.

Where can I find game picks and odds for Cubs vs. Brewers?
Head over to the MLB Pick Page and Odds Page at ScoresAndStats.com.