MILWAUKEE vs MINNESOTA
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (31-24) at Minnesota Twins (36-17)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS North (Minnesota)
LINE: -125
PREDICTION: Twins 6, Brewers 4

Oddsmakers currently have the MINNESOTA listed as -125 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Milwaukee Brewers look to complete a two-game interleague series sweep when they visit the red-hot Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Orlando Arcia belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning on Monday to provide the Brewers with a 5-4 win while handing Minnesota just its second loss in 13 games.

Arcia recorded three RBIs while Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich drove in runs with sacrifice flies to give Milwaukee its second straight triumph following a stretch during which it lost five of seven games. Yelich, who leads the majors with 21 homers, has registered only 10 RBIs this month despite hitting seven shots – six of the solo variety. Minnesota had its six-game winning streak snapped on Monday after outscoring opponents 53-16 during the string of victories. Byron Buxton hit a three-run blast in the series opener, but Twins’ batters struck out 13 times – with Jonathan Schoop, C.J. Cron and Miguel Sano all fanning on three occasions.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zach Davies (5-0, 2.43 ERA) vs. Twins LH Martin Perez (7-1, 2.95)

Davies is coming off his worst outing of the season as he allowed six runs and six hits in three innings of a no-decision against Cincinnati. The 26-year-old gave up just nine earned runs in his first nine starts before serving up two homers in the turn against the Reds on Wednesday. Davies lost his lone career start against the Twins on Aug. 10, 2017, when he surrendered seven runs – six earned – and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Perez defeated the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn as he gave up two runs and six hits over five innings. The 28-year-old has issued four walks in each of his last two outings and registered at least seven strikeouts in four of his last five turns. Perez lost his lone career start against the Brewers on Sept. 26, 2016, when he was torched for eight runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings while with Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins RF Max Kepler went 2-for-4 on Monday for his sixth straight multi-hit performance and has gone 18-for-38 with four homers and 14 RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.

2. Milwaukee LHP Josh Hader, who pitched two scoreless innings in the series opener, has converted all 13 of his save opportunities.

3. Minnesota C Mitch Garver (ankle) is expected to catch five innings for Double-A Pensacola on Wednesday and a full game two days later during a brief rehab assignment.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Brewers 4

The post MILWAUKEE vs. MINNESOTA 5/28/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

MILWAUKEE vs MINNESOTA
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (30-24) at Minnesota Twins (36-16)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 27 – 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS North (Minnesota)
LINE: -110
PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Twins 3

Oddsmakers currently have the MINNESOTA listed as -110 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Minnesota Twins own the best record in baseball and have outscored opponents by an impressive 111 runs as they prepare to host the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for the opener of their two-game interleague series. The Twins (36-16) top the majors in runs (315) and homers (104) after posting their sixth straight victory on Sunday, a 7-0 triumph against the Chicago White Sox that increased their lead in the American League Central to 10 games.

Max Kepler has gone 16-for-34 with four homers and 14 RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak after belting a three-run shot on Sunday while Eddie Rosario, who is 12-for-27 in his last six contests, matched him with a three-run blast. Michael Pineda looks to help the Twins win for the 12th time in 13 games when he takes the mound in the series opener opposite Gio Gonzalez, who has pitched well in five starts since signing with Milwaukee as a free agent. The Brewers avoided a three-game sweep with a 9-1 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday as reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich launched his major league-leading 21st home run – one of five on the day for the team. Ryan Braun matched Yelich with two hits for the Brewers and is 27-for-66 with four blasts and 14 RBIs over his last 20 games.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 2.39 ERA) vs. Twins RH Michael Pineda (4-3, 5.43)

Gonzalez suffered his first defeat of the season last time out, allowing three runs on three hits and as many walks in five innings against Cincinnati. The 33-year-old Floridian permitted a total of four runs in his first four turns before the loss but has yet to complete six frames this year. C.J. Cron is 2-for-3 with a homer versus Gonzalez, who is 3-3 with a 6.43 ERA in eight career starts against the Twins.

Pineda has strung together three straight quality starts and won his last two, yielding three runs each against the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle. The 30-year-old Dominican, who owns a 44-44 career record, has served up 10 homers in his last five starts but issued only two walks in his last three turns. Mike Moustakas is 7-for-18 with two homers, two doubles and a triple against Pineda, who never has faced Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee OF Ben Gamel belted two homers on Sunday after going 2-for-19 in his previous eight contests.

2. Minnesota INF Luis Arraez has gone 0-for-6 in his last four games after going 7-for-12 over the first four of his major-league career.

3. The Brewers won five of their six meetings with the Twins last year, outscoring them 25-17 overall in the season series.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Twins 3

The post MILWAUKEE vs. MINNESOTA 5/27/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CINCINNATI vs MILWAUKEE
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (22-26) at Milwaukee Brewers (28-22)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 22 – 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
LINE: 110
PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Reds 2

Oddsmakers currently have the MILWAUKEE listed as 110 point favorites versus the CINCINNATI, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.5.

The Milwaukee Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday with both clubs’ right fielders questionable to play. Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich, the reigning National League MVP, missed Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Cincinnati that snapped the Brewers’ season-high six-game home winning streak with back spasms while Cincinnati’s Yasiel Puig sat out because of a shoulder injury.

Yelich (.325 batting average, 19 home runs, 41 RBIs) missed five games and parts of two others after sustaining a lower back injury April 28. Puig did not play Tuesday after injuring his right shoulder making a catch in foul territory during Sunday’s 8-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, telling reporters: “I hope I can play Wednesday or the first game in Chicago (on Friday). I’m going to throw (Tuesday) and see how it feels.” The Reds boast the lowest ERA in the NL at 3.34 after recording their seventh shutout of the season – the most in baseball. Milwaukee’s Zach Davies and Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo square off Wednesday in a matchup of right-handers with the second- and fourth-best ERAs in baseball.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (5-1, 1.90 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (5-0, 1.54)

Castillo allowed two runs, two hits and one walk with six strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings of a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs last Thursday. The 26-year-old Dominican has yielded two or fewer runs in nine of his 10 starts and has 76 strikeouts along with 34 hits allowed over 61 2/3 innings this season. Castillo’s only loss was a 1-0 decision to Milwaukee on April 3, when he allowed one run, one hit and four walks while striking out nine in seven innings – dropping him to 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA in five career starts against the Brewers.

Davies permitted three runs (one earned), four hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings of an 11-3 victory at Philadelphia on Thursday. The 26-year-old Arizona native, who made only 13 starts in 2018 because of shoulder and back injuries, hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in an outing this season. Cincinnati’s Joey Votto is 10-for-25 with a home run and four walks versus Davies, who is 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 11 turns against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati’s Phillip Ervin went 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored Tuesday while replacing Puig in right field, and is 2-for-4 in two games since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville.

2. Milwaukee 2B Keston Hiura went 2-for-4 on Tuesday and is 8-for-28 with four two-hit games in his first seven major league contests.

3. Votto is batting .342 with 18 home runs, 53 RBIs and 65 walks in 80 games at Miller Park after going 1-for-4 on Tuesday, raising his average to .209 this season.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Reds 2

The post CINCINNATI vs. MILWAUKEE 5/22/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CINCINNATI vs MILWAUKEE
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (21-26) at Milwaukee Brewers (28-21)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 21 – 7:40 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
LINE: -135
PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Reds 1

Oddsmakers currently have the MILWAUKEE listed as -135 point favorites versus the CINCINNATI, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

The Milwaukee Brewers finished out a tough road trip with a victory on Sunday but had to work overtime and are looking forward to going home, where they own a 16-8 record. The Brewers kick off a five-game homestand when they host the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a two-game set on Tuesday.

Milwaukee took on playoff hopefuls Chicago, Philadelphia and Atlanta on the road trip and went into extra innings three times, finally pulling out a victory in extra frames when Ben Gamel led off the 10th with a home run against the Braves on Sunday. “To finish off a long, tough road trip with a win and kind of hold serve on the road, so to speak – 5-5 against three teams above .500 and a couple teams that are leading their division – that’s a good place to be,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters. The Reds, who dropped two of three at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and sit in last place in the National League Central, lost three straight one-run games at home to Milwaukee in the first week of the season. Cincinnati right-hander Sonny Gray will be looking for his first win on Tuesday while Brewers lefty Gio Gonzalez hopes to continue a solid stretch.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Sonny Gray (0-4, 4.30 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Gio Gonzalez (2-0, 1.69)

Gray failed to complete six innings in any of his last five starts and was reached for three runs on five hits – two homers – in five innings without factoring in the decision against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The Vanderbilt product struck out seven without walking a batter against the Cubs after issuing five walks in 4 1/3 frames at Oakland in his previous turn. Gray spent the first six seasons of his career in the American League and is making his first career start at Milwaukee.

Gonzalez is having similar problems going deep into games but allowed two or fewer runs in each of his four starts since signing with the team in April. The Florida native has yet to complete six innings but held the Cubs and Phillies to a total of one run over 11 frames in his last two turns. Gonzalez went 2-1 in three starts against Cincinnati last season, including six scoreless innings on Sep. 19 after he was traded from Washington to Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw (wrist) is expected to begin a rehab assignment this week.

2. Cincinnati RF Yasiel Puig (shoulder) left Sunday’s game and is day-to-day.

3. Milwaukee rookie 2B Keston Hiura hit his first major league home run on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Reds 1

The post CINCINNATI vs. MILWAUKEE 5/21/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

MILWAUKEE vs ATLANTA
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (27-19) at Atlanta Braves (23-21)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 17 – 7:20 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS South (Atlanta)
LINE: -135
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Brewers 2

Oddsmakers currently have the ATLANTA listed as -135 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

Christian Yelich has inflicted most of his damage on opposing pitchers at home this season, but the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder seeks to build off a big road performance entering Friday’s series opener at the Atlanta Braves. The reigning National League MVP homered twice in Thursday’s 11-3 victory at Philadelphia, giving him a major league-leading 18 with only three of them coming on the road in 2019.

Yelich, who ranks near the top of the NL in on-base percentage (.458) and slugging percentage (.760), had plenty of help when Milwaukee took three of four from the NL East leaders to start the week, as outfielder Ryan Braun finished 7-for-13 in the series after a three-hit day Thursday. The Brewers now take their shot at trying to slow down Braves rookie outfielder Austin Riley, who followed up a homer in his big-league debut with three hits and two runs scored in Thursday’s 10-2 home win over St. Louis. Atlanta has won five of six games since outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. moved to the top of the lineup, and last season’s NL Rookie of the Year is hitting .330 with 20 homers in 73 career games hitting in the leadoff spot. Atlanta’s good work of late and Milwaukee’s success in Philadelphia has pulled the Braves within 1 1/2 games of the Phillies in the NL East.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-4, 4.57 ERA) vs. Braves LH Max Fried (5-2, 3.25)

Chacin has pitched well in his past three starts, recording a 1.59 ERA and holding opponents to a .186 batting average with 11 hits allowed over 17 innings. The 31-year-old suffered a tough-luck loss Sunday at the Chicago Cubs, surrendering two runs (one earned) with one walk and four strikeouts over six innings of a 4-1 loss – six days after giving up two runs on three hits across five innings against Washington. Chacin, who has posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in his past five outings, is 2-4 with a 3.69 ERA in seven career starts against Atlanta and beat the Braves in his lone appearance against them last season.

Fried starts on regular rest in place of Kevin Gausman (suspended for throwing at Miami’s Jose Urena) and looks to become the third pitcher in the NL to reach six wins on the season. The 25-year-old defeated Arizona on Sunday despite giving up a season-high nine hits over five innings, walking one while striking out seven and surrendering three runs. Fried, who left his previous start May 7 at the Los Angeles Dodgers after taking a line drive off his pitching hand, is 7-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 17 career starts but gave up four runs in his only career matchup with Milwaukee – a three-inning start last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers placed Manny Pina on the injured list with a strained right hamstring suffered Wednesday, recalling fellow C Jacob Nottingham from Triple-A San Antonio to back up Yasmani Grandal.

2. Braves RHP Luke Jackson is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA with 27 strikeouts, five walks and five saves in his past 18 games.

3. Grandal and Brewers INF Mike Moustakas each homered Thursday, combining to drive in six runs and score three times helping Milwaukee improve to 11-2 against the NL East.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Brewers 2

The post MILWAUKEE vs. ATLANTA 5/17/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

MILWAUKEE vs PHILADELPHIA
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (26-19) at Philadelphia Phillies (24-18)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 16 – 1:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Philadelphia
LINE: -125
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Brewers 2

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -125 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.5.

The Milwaukee Brewers regained their footing following a three-game losing skid to win back-to-back games and nine of their last 12 overall. The Brewers look to remain on the fast track on Thursday afternoon in the series finale against the host Philadelphia Phillies, who have lost two straight after winning 11 of their previous 15.

Milwaukee rebounded from a 7-4 setback in the opener to yield just three runs in its last two games while Ryan Braun is 3-for-8 with a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored in that stretch. Braun, a former National League Most Valuable Player, is 60-for-147 with 45 RBIs with 38 runs scored in his career at Citizens Bank Park and is 2-for-5 versus Thursday starter Zach Eflin. While Eflin has been rock-solid in his last three starts, the Phillies’ defense left plenty to be desired in Wednesday’s 5-2 setback as a pair of gaffes led to a three-run third inning. Jean Segura belted a solo homer in the first inning and carries a six-game hitting streak into Thursday’s tilt versus right-hander Zach Davies.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zach Davies (4-0, 1.54 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (5-3, 2.47)

Davies worked into the seventh inning for the third time this season on Saturday after allowing one run on six hits in a no-decision at the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old has won just one of his four road starts this season as opposed to posting a 3-0 mark with an 0.76 ERA at Miller Park. Andrew McCutchen (4-for-12, homer, five RBIs) and Maikel Franco (4-for-6, homer, four RBIs) have enjoyed success versus Davies, who split a pair of starts with a 7.15 ERA and 1.94 ERA versus Philadelphia while permitting the club to bat .333 against him.

Eflin became the majors’ first pitcher with two complete games this season and recorded his second career shutout after scattering four hits and striking out seven in Saturday’s 7-0 win at Kansas City. The 25-year-old, who also notched a complete game against Miami on April 28, has allowed just two runs on 15 hits in his last three starts (25 innings). While Lorenzo Cain (2-for-5) has enjoyed some success in a small sample size versus Eflin, the hurler can take some solace in getting the better of reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich (0-for-5).

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia C J.T. Realmuto has four hits in the series and seven with three RBIs and three runs scored in his last six games overall.

2. Cain is 10-for-29 during his six-game hitting streak.

3. Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins is 4-for-25 with nine strikeouts in his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Brewers 2

The post MILWAUKEE vs. PHILADELPHIA 5/16/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

MILWAUKEE vs PHILADELPHIA
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (24-18) at Philadelphia Phillies (23-16)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 13 – 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Philadelphia
LINE:
PREDICTION: Phillies 7, Brewers 3

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at .

The Philadelphia Phillies have been downright stingy in their victories of late, allowing a total of three runs in their last five triumphs. They hope to continue recording wins and stymying opponents during their seven-game homestand, which begins Monday with the opener of a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Philadelphia has won five of its last seven contests, including the last two of its three-game set in Kansas City by a combined 13-1 score. J.T. Realmuto and Odubel Herrera each recorded two RBIs during a six-run fifth inning while Cole Irvin allowed one run and five hits with five strikeouts over seven frames in his major-league debut as the Phillies posted a 6-1 victory on Sunday. Milwaukee began its 10-game road trip with its seventh consecutive win but lost the final two contests of its three-game series in Chicago, including a 4-1 decision against the Cubs on Sunday. Jesus Aguilar drove in the Brewers’ lone run and registered his second two-hit performance of the year to extend his hitting streak to six games and raise his batting average to .198.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (2-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (3-0, 4.57)

Peralta will be making his sixth start of the season and first since May 2, when he was battered for nine runs – six earned – on eight hits and three walks over four innings of a loss to Colorado. The 22-year-old Dominican performed much better in relief on Tuesday, giving up three hits with two walks and five strikeouts over five scoreless frames in a victory over Washington. Peralta, who is 1-0 despite yielding seven runs over 11 1/3 innings in two road starts this year, never has faced Philadelphia.

Nola looks to remain unbeaten through nine starts this season after producing his third consecutive strong outing Tuesday in St. Louis. The 25-year-old native of Louisiana recorded the victory allowing one run – for the third straight time – and three hits over six innings. Nola has yet to lose to Milwaukee, going 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA in five career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers OF Ryan Braun (hamstring) has been kept out of the starting lineup but appeared as a pinch-hitter in each of the team’s last two games.

2. Milwaukee recalled Jacob Barnes from Triple-A San Antonio and optioned fellow RHP Burch Smith to the Missions.

3. Philadelphia optioned LHP Austin Davis to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in order to make room on the roster for Irvin.

PREDICTION: Phillies 7, Brewers 3

The post MILWAUKEE vs. PHILADELPHIA 5/13/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

MILWAUKEE vs CHICAGO CUBS
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (24-17) at Chicago Cubs (23-14)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 12 – 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: 7:05 PM
LINE: -135
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 3

Oddsmakers currently have the CHICAGO CUBS listed as -135 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at .

After a marathon win, the Chicago Cubs are back on top in the National League Central, but the Milwaukee Brewers would like to rejoin them. The Cubs evened the series and reclaimed a one-game lead over the Brewers with a 2-1 win in 15 innings Saturday, and they’ll try to extend their division lead when Milwaukee visits Sunday night for the finale.

Willson Contreras blasted a walk-off homer in the 15th inning Saturday to give the Cubs their third win by walk-off homer in their last five games. Chicago has won 11 of its last 13 and has not lost a series since dropping two of three at Milwaukee from April 5-7. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Brewers, who managed only four hits and grounded into six double plays in the marathon. Both teams’ bullpens were taxed Saturday, as the Cubs used seven relievers and the Brewers used six.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-3, 5.03 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (2-1, 1.41)

Chacin has had a couple of rocky outings this season, but his last two starts have been solid. The 31-year-old allowed two runs over five innings in a no-decision Monday against Washington after tossing six scoreless frames in his previous start. Chacin is 4-6 with a 2.86 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) against the Cubs.

Lester has been outstanding in three starts since returning from the injured list, allowing three runs (one earned) over 18 innings with 19 strikeouts. The 35-year-old has not allowed more than two runs in a start this season. Lester is 4-3 with a 2.66 ERA in eight starts against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Contreras (15-for-41, four homers) and Cubs SS Javier Baez (15-for-42, two homers) are riding 10-game hitting streaks.

2. Brewers LF Ryan Braun (hamstring) was a late scratch from the lineup Saturday but hopes to return to the lineup Sunday.

3. Cubs INF Daniel Descalso (ankle) was limited to pinch-hitting for the seventh consecutive game Saturday, but he is expected to be back in the starting lineup Sunday.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 3

The post MILWAUKEE vs. CHICAGO CUBS 5/12/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS vs MILWAUKEE BUCKS
When: 8:00 PM  ET, Monday, December 10, 2018
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TV: 8:05 PM
LINE: -14
PREDICTION: MILWAUKEE , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the MILWAUKEE listed as -14 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 221.5.

Three days after their involvement in a three-team, five-player trade, the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks square off on Monday. The Cavaliers shipped veteran point guard George Hill to the Bucks on Friday while acquiring guard Matthew Dellavedova and center John Henson from Milwaukee in the deal that also involved Washington.

Both teams dropped their first game after the trade before picking up wins over the weekend, with the Bucks making a big statement on Sunday by knocking off Eastern Conference-leading Toronto on the road. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points and a season high-tying 19 rebounds while Malcolm Brogdon hit a pair of late 3-pointers as part of an 18-point effort as Milwaukee improved to 10-3 against the East. Cleveland hit 15 3-pointers and shot 52.8 percent in a 116-101 home win over the Wizards on Saturday. Rookie Collin Sexton scored 29 points and Tristan Thompson recorded 23 and 19 rebounds as the Cavaliers improved to 4-6 following a 2-14 start.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (6-20): Cleveland had a 49-33 advantage on the glass against Washington while turning over the ball just nine times. “We had guys that stepped up and played really well,” coach Larry Drew told reporters. “It was one of those games that we got into a pretty good rhythm.” All the roster fluctuations gave little-used forward Jalen Jones a chance to contribute Saturday, and he did so in a big way with a 4-for-4 effort from beyond the arc.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (17-8): Center Brook Lopez also chipped in 19 points while making 5-of-8 3-pointers and Brogdon sank a total of three shots from beyond the arc while improving to 16-for-26 from long range over a five-game span. “We’re a really good team this year,” Brogdon said during a postgame television interview. “We have confidence in ourselves, we’re resilient, we got a coach that has confidence in us every night, win or lose.” Hill and forward Jason Smith, who came over from Washington in Friday’s trade, were with the team Sunday but did not see any action in the win.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thompson has collected exactly 19 rebounds in three of his five games this month.

2. Bucks SF Khris Middleton is 20-for-65 from the floor over a five-game span.

3. The teams meet again in Cleveland on Friday and have two more matchups in March that also are just four days apart.

PREDICTION: Bucks 113, Cavaliers 105

The post CLEVELAND vs MILWAUKEE 12/10/2018 Odds, Picks & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS vs MILWAUKEE BUCKS
When: 9:30 PM  ET, Friday, December 7, 2018
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TV: 9:35 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: MILWAUKEE , GOLDEN STATE

Oddsmakers currently have the MILWAUKEE listed as 1.5 point favorites versus the GOLDEN STATE, while the game’s total is sitting at 239.5.

Fresh off a trouncing of their former NBA Finals rivals and looking much more like themselves of late, the Golden State Warriors are seeking revenge for one of their worst losses. The Warriors, who suffered a 134-111 home loss to the Bucks on Nov. 8, will try to ride red-hot Stephen Curry to a victory when they visit Milwaukee on Friday.

Curry went down with a groin injury in the Nov. 8 meeting that kept him out the next 11 games, but he is quickly rediscovering his MVP form upon his return and followed up 30 points in a win at Atlanta on Monday with 42 on 11-of-20 shooting in Wednesday’s 129-105 triumph at Cleveland. The two-time MVP is 15-of-24 from 3-point range over the last two games, during which Golden State is averaging 128.5 points. The Bucks bounced back from a tough loss at New York by breezing past the Detroit Pistons 115-92 on Wednesday. “I thought the effort by our guys was very good and the togetherness, I felt like we were very together defensively,” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. “Sometimes you take three or four days without a game and it can be not good, but it’s good to see our guys come out off the start with a good aggressiveness on both ends and find a way to beat a good team.”

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (17-9): Curry’s scoring blitz overshadowed another strong game on Wednesday from All-Star forward Kevin Durant, who collected 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes. Durant is 19-of-29 from the floor in the last two games while totaling 17 assists and 15 boards. Fellow power forward Jonas Jerebko is on a hot streak as well and is 18-of-25 from the floor over the last four games.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (16-7): Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe scored 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting in the Nov. 8 victory at Golden State and was just as effective on Wednesday, when he raced around the Pistons for 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting in 26 minutes. “I feel great,” Bledsoe told reporters. “We have a great group of guys that can get it going at any time. I just try to do other things to help the team win. Those 50-50 balls always win games.” Bledsoe added four assists and four steals to his collection on Wednesday and averages 5.9 assists and 1.4 thefts.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks PF D.J. Wilson (hamstring) made his season debut on Wednesday and scored seven points in six minutes off the bench.

2. Warriors PF Draymond Green (toe) could return on Monday.

3. Golden State won its last two trips to Milwaukee.

PREDICTION: Warriors 123, Bucks 119

The post GOLDEN STATE vs MILWAUKEE 12/7/2018 Odds, Picks & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.