Brewers and Cubs launch a Monday doubleheader at Wrigley in a marquee NL Central clash that carries heavy fantasy buzz. Freddy Peralta faces Cade Horton in Game 1, a veteran ace vs a rising rookie whose 3.07 ERA belies his youth. Milwaukee owns MLB’s best record and rode a 14-game win streak into Sunday, while Chicago sits atop the NL wild-card standings despite a sizable gap in the division. For fantasy and betting angles, Peralta’s upside is clear with six or more Ks in 16 of 25 starts, and Horton’s 11 wins in 16 outings signal a battler but with mid-pack xERA/xBAA marks that could tee up a keeper-type lineup shakeup. The prop to target is Peralta Over 5.5 strikeouts, a value target given his whiff rate and past K velocity against Chicago.

The betting picture skews toward Milwaukee in Game 1, with a +108 moneyline and a favorable run line, reflecting their recent dominance and Chicago’s volatility against top arms. As a fantasy lens, rostering Peralta makes sense for K upside, while Horton represents a risky but high-ceiling young-play option depending on your format. This one shapes up as a pitching duel with meaningful implications for both teams’ paths in a tight NL framework.