Brewers vs Cubs Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 10/8/25

MILWAUKEE @ CHICAGO (CHI -125, 6.5)

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Brewers vs Cubs Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 10/8/25

BREWERS @ CUBS 10/8/25

When the Chicago Cubs play the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series tonight, they have no room for error. As a result of two crushing defeats in the teams' best-of-five series, the Cubs are now down 2-0.

Chicago needs to defeat the Brewers, who recorded a franchise-high 97 wins to secure the top seed in the NL, three times in a row to salvage its season. However, Ian Happ, an outfielder for the Cubs, stated that he only cares about the short term.

"You can't look at it as this daunting three games," he stated. "You must accept it as follows: win on Wednesday, then move on. Therefore, as a team, our only option is to simply win on Wednesday and move on."

With a high-octane offense that scored 793 runs during the regular season—the fifth-highest total in the majors—the Cubs are in the playoffs. But Chicago has only scored 12 runs in their five postseason games. Since their 2017 run to the NL Championship Series, the Cubs have only won in one postseason series. On the other side, since their run to the NLCS in 2018, the Brewers have failed to win a postseason series.

Quinn Priester, a native of Illinois, will start Game 3 against fellow right-hander Jameson Taillon (11-7, 3.68) on Wednesday in an attempt to send Milwaukee back to the NLCS. Priester finished the regular season 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA. Priester attended Cary-Grove High School in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He will also have the opportunity to eliminate his favorite boyhood team's season on Wednesday. In three appearances (two starts) against the Cubs this season, Priester, 25, is 1-0 with a 6.28 ERA. In his four career appearances against them (two starts), he is 1-0 with a 6.20 ERA in 20⅓  innings.

In Game 3 of the wild-card series, Chicago defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1 last Thursday. Taillon, 33, gave up two hits in four scoreless innings before leaving the game after 60 pitches in a no-decision. He has made three starts against the Brewers this season and is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Taillon has made 21 appearances (20 starts) against Milwaukee in his career and is 6-10 with a 3.33 ERA in 113 2/3 innings.

In Game 3, Taillon will have to control Milwaukee's bats. The Brewers won 7-3 on Monday thanks to three-run home runs from Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio, as well as a solo shot from William Contreras.

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FREE PICK: JAMESON TAILLON OVER 9.5 OUTS

It is the playoffs and it’s an elimination game for the Cubs. That means Taillon will be on a short leash, but he’s good enough to get 3⅔ innings. He was in a similar situation last Thursday in the wild card series against the Padres. Taillon pitched 4 innings and didn’t allow a run as the Cubs won 3-1. Sure, Taillon has gone Over this number in all 24 of his starts this season, but playoff baseball is different. In last week’s game against San Diego, Taillon’s Outs prop was 10.5, indicating the short leash. Tonight, it’s 9.5 and that’s just too low for a guy who is pitching his best baseball right now. Since the beginning of September, Taillon has 5 starts, the Cubs have 4 wins, and Taillon’s ERA is 1.97.