The battle for first place in the NL Central heats up Monday night as the Chicago Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers to open a three-game series. Here’s our prediction for the Cubs vs Brewers game. With both teams locked at 62-43, this game could help shape the playoff picture heading into August. Let’s break down both sides and deliver our Cubs vs Brewers prediction. Betting Preview for Cubs vs Brewers Betting on the Chicago Cubs Chicago bounced back after dropping the first game to the White Sox and wrapped up the series with two straight wins. The Cubs’ offense has been consistent all season and their ability to produce in key moments gives them an edge. Boyd has been one of the better stories on the mound this year, already surpassing his career-best win total. With a solid bullpen and clutch bats like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner, Chicago is a dangerous team on the road. Betting on the Milwaukee Brewers The Brewers managed to avoid a sweep at the hands of Miami with a thrilling walk-off win on Sunday. Their offense has been timely but inconsistent, and while Misiorowski has shown promise, he’s approaching his innings limit with 92.2 IP combined across levels this year. That could mean a shorter leash in this outing. Milwaukee has home-field advantage, but they’ll need better production with runners in scoring position (just 2-for-9 last game). MatchPlug Prediction for Cubs vs Brewers Both teams are talented and hungry to take sole possession of first place. While Milwaukee has the energy from their dramatic win, the Cubs have more balance and a proven arm in Boyd, who’s been excellent this year. With Chicago’s offense firing and the Brewers dealing with a possible innings cap for Misiorowski, the edge goes to the visitors. Final Prediction: Cubs Over/Under

It’s a big-time American League matchup between playoff hopefuls on Monday, July 28, as the Boston Red Sox visit the Minnesota Twins. Here’s our prediction for the Red Sox vs Twins game. The Red Sox currently hold a wild card spot while the Twins are fighting to stay in the mix. Both teams have reasons to win, but only one can grab the momentum in this series opener. Betting Preview for Red Sox vs Twins Betting on the Boston Red Sox Boston is 57-50 this season and in the second AL wild card spot. They’ve won four of their last seven and are coming off a 2-1 series win over the Dodgers. Richard Fitts will start for Boston. He’s 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA, and the Red Sox are just 2-7 in games he starts. Fitts allowed four runs in his last outing and has struggled to give the team strong innings. Boston hits .251 overall but just .237 on the road. They have been more effective against AL Central teams, hitting .265 in those matchups. Betting on the Minnesota Twins The Twins are 50-55 and still in the hunt for a wild card, sitting 5.5 games back. They play better at home with a 29-22 record. Simeon Woods Richardson starts for Minnesota. He’s 5-4 with a 4.14 ERA overall, but shines at home with a 3.12 ERA. The Twins are 9-7 in his starts. At the plate, Minnesota has been decent at home, hitting .252, and has shown slightly better form in July. Their bats may not be explosive, but they’ve been enough to win games behind solid pitching. MatchPlug Prediction for Red Sox vs Twins Minnesota’s home form and Woods Richardson’s strong performances at Target Field give them a clear edge. Boston struggles when Richard Fitts starts, and their road offense isn’t reliable. If the Twins can score early and hold the lead, they should take this one comfortably. Final Prediction: Twins Over/Under

Two AL East rivals meet Monday night at Camden Yards as the surging Toronto Blue Jays take on the slumping Baltimore Orioles. Here’s our preview for the Blue Jays vs Orioles game. With Toronto sitting atop the MLB standings and Baltimore falling out of contention, this matchup could be lopsided, but division games always bring surprises. First pitch from Oriole Park is at 23:35 p.m. If you want the Blue Jays vs. Orioles prediction, read on for Matchplug’s prediction. Betting Preview for Blue Jays vs Orioles Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays Toronto continues to outperform expectations and has quietly built the best record in baseball. The offense, led by Bo Bichette, Vlad Jr., and George Springer, gives pitchers plenty of cushion. Bassitt is coming off a strong outing against the Yankees (8 K, 3 H, 3 ER in 7.1 IP), and while his road ERA (5.66) is concerning, he’s backed by a top-tier bullpen and explosive lineup. Betting on the Baltimore Orioles The Orioles are struggling on both sides of the ball. Eflin has failed to find consistency this season and will face a hot Blue Jays lineup. Baltimore’s offensive production has also dipped, just 4.2 runs per game, and the team ERA is nearing 5.00. Injuries to key starters have hurt, and the club seems poised for a disappointing finish unless something drastic changes. MatchPlug Prediction for Blue Jays vs Orioles Toronto is in great form, with elite pitching and a powerful top of the order. Bassitt may not be elite on the road, but he doesn’t need to be perfect against an Orioles squad that has lost momentum. With Eflin’s poor numbers and Baltimore’s downward spiral, the Blue Jays should control Game 1. Final Prediction: Blue Jays Over/Under

The Tampa Bay Rays travel to Yankee Stadium on Monday night to take on the New York Yankees in an all-AL East battle. Here’s our prediction for the Rays vs Yankees prediction. Both teams are heading in opposite directions as they enter this crucial series, with playoff implications on the line. The Yankees are in second place in the AL East and trying to fend off the surging Red Sox. The Rays have started to fade and are currently in fourth place in the American League East division. Betting Preview for Rays vs Yankees Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays The Rays are on a slide, having dropped four of their last five and struggling to find momentum. With the Trade Deadline looming, Tampa Bay may look to offload veterans if this New York series goes badly. Rasmussen has been steady on the mound and gives the Rays their best chance to snap the slump. However, the lineup has struggled to back up strong pitching with runs. Betting on the New York Yankees The Yankees are coming off a tough series against the Phillies where they were heavily outscored. They’re missing their key offensive leader in Aaron Judge, but new additions Amed Rosario and Ryan McMahon provide some relief. Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler will get the nod and look to contain a Rays team low on confidence. MatchPlug Prediction for Rays vs Yankees This matchup features a solid veteran arm in Rasmussen against a rookie who is still finding his footing. While the Yankees have home advantage and a slightly deeper lineup, the absence of Judge and their recent struggles make them vulnerable.  Tampa Bay may be slumping, but they’ve got the better starting pitcher in Game 1. Final Prediction: Yankees 

The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers open a new series on Monday, July 28. Read our preview for the Dodgers vs Reds game. Both teams are chasing postseason spots, and this matchup could have big playoff implications. The Reds are 56-50, just one game out of a wild card spot. The Dodgers are 61-45 and are trying to protect their lead in the NL West. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for the Dodgers, while the Reds will go with top prospect Chase Burns. Betting Preview for Dodgers vs Reds Match Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers The Dodgers have a strong team, but they’ve looked shaky lately, losing six of their last nine games. They’re 26-24 on the road and just dropped two of three games to the Red Sox. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been consistent, posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. However, he hasn’t gone deep into games lately, which exposes the Dodgers’ shaky bullpen. He gave up four runs in his only previous outing against the Reds. Offensively, Shohei Ohtani is on fire with 6 home runs and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games. Will Smith is also hitting well. But Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández are struggling in July. Betting on the Cincinnati Reds The Reds are just one game back in the wild card race and are strong at home with a 31-22 record. They just swept the Rays and are playing with confidence. Chase Burns is still looking for his first MLB win. He has an 0-2 record and 6.65 ERA, but his strikeout stuff is electric with 35 Ks in 21.2 innings. Burns has given up two or fewer runs in two of his last three outings. The Reds lineup isn’t elite, but they’ve been producing. Spencer Steer and Nolvei Marte are contributing RBIs, and the team is scoring 4.6 runs per game. Their team ERA of 3.90 ranks 13th. MatchPlug Prediction for Dodgers vs Reds  This game feels closer than the records suggest. The Dodgers have more star power, but their bullpen has been inconsistent, and they’ve struggled on the road. Meanwhile, the Reds are strong at home and Burns has the kind of raw talent that can surprise. Our prediction for Monday’s clash is a narrow Reds win, or at least a close one that covers the spread. Final Prediction: