The June 17, 2025 matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field represents a critical midseason showdown in the NL Central, as both teams continue their push for divisional control. The Cubs currently lead the division at 44–28 and enter this game on a high after a gritty 3–2 extra-inning win against the Pirates, which showcased their bullpen depth and resilience in late-game situations. They’ve played excellent baseball at home with a 20–11 record and are backed by a lineup that has tallied 14 home runs over the last 10 games while maintaining consistent run production. Ben Brown takes the mound for Chicago, looking to shake off a difficult stretch that’s seen him post an 0–3 record with a 6.39 ERA in his last seven appearances, though he did shut out the Brewers over six innings earlier in the season. The Cubs also boast one of the more efficient bullpens in baseball, with recent strong outings from Chris Flexen, Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Palencia, and Caleb Thielbar contributing to their 2.70 team ERA over the past 10 games. Offensively, they’ve leaned on clutch performances from Ian Happ and a balanced supporting cast to manufacture wins, even when the rotation falters. The Brewers, meanwhile, arrive at 38–34 and trail the Cubs by 5.5 games, making this series pivotal if they hope to close the gap and stay competitive down the stretch. Milwaukee has played well over the last six weeks, going 22–16 since early May, and enters the game with momentum following a successful series against the Cardinals in which they took three of four.

Chad Patrick will get the ball for the Brewers, and despite a 3–6 record, he’s been steady with a 3.25 ERA and has consistently kept Milwaukee in games by attacking the strike zone and working deep into outings. On offense, the Brewers rely on a mix of emerging youth and veteran bounce-backs: Jackson Chourio has shown flashes of elite potential, while William Contreras and Rhys Hoskins have rediscovered their rhythm after slow starts to the year. Brice Turang and Sal Frelick have provided solid on-base production, though Milwaukee lacks the consistent long-ball threat of some of its division rivals. Their bullpen has been more of a question mark, with no dominant closer but several contributors like Abner Uribe, Grant Anderson, and Nick Mears stepping up in recent weeks. Defensively, the Brewers have been serviceable, though some issues on the left side of the infield have cost them extra outs and extended innings. Chicago enters the game as a -1.5 favorite, and with an over/under of 9 runs, expectations are for moderate scoring, especially given the starters’ ERA disparities and the offensive depth of both clubs. The Cubs are 40–32 against the spread (ATS), reflecting their ability to consistently cover at home, while the Brewers are slightly under .500 at 34–38 ATS, mirroring their up-and-down performances this season. With high stakes and pride on the line, this matchup could have significant implications for both clubs’ playoff trajectories, and whichever team executes better in situational moments is likely to come out on top.