Milwaukee (0-1) at NY Yankees (1-0)
- When: Mar 29 2025, 1:05 PM
- Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx
- Where to watch: FDSWI
MLB Betting Preview: Brewers vs. Yankees – Game 2
Moneyline: NY Yankees -165 | Total: 8.5
The New York Yankees are priced as -165 moneyline favorites for Saturday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers, with the total set at 8.5 runs. It’s a marquee pitching showdown as newly signed lefty ace Max Fried makes his Bronx debut for the Yankees, while ex-Yankee Nestor Cortes takes the mound for Milwaukee in a high-emotion return to Yankee Stadium.
Yankees Outlook & Betting Angle:
New York made waves in the offseason by locking in Fried with an eight-year, $218 million deal, hoping to pair him with Carlos Rodón and a healthy Gerrit Cole to form a dominant rotation. With Cole sidelined following Tommy John surgery, the Yankees are counting on Fried to lead the rotation, and his numbers back it up — a career 3.07 ERA and top-five Cy Young finishes in 2020 and 2022.
In five career starts versus the Brewers, Fried owns a strong 3-1 record and a 2.67 ERA, showing he’s handled this lineup well. Backed by a bullpen featuring Devin Williams — whom they acquired from Milwaukee in exchange for Cortes — and a potent offense led by Aaron Judge, the Yankees are in a strong spot here.
Betting Prediction: The Yankees are 9-3 in their last 12 home games when favored by -150 or more. Expect Fried to shine and New York’s bats to do enough damage.
Brewers Outlook & Betting Angle:
Milwaukee turns to a familiar face — but in a new uniform — as Nestor Cortes makes his first start since being dealt from the Yankees in a high-profile trade. Cortes was an All-Star for New York in 2022, but now he’s tasked with slowing down his former team.
While Cortes brings a crafty lefty style and plenty of familiarity with Yankee hitters, his track record against them is virtually nonexistent — his only career outing came in relief way back in 2018. He’s looked sharp in limited spring action, but the Brewers’ offense was ice-cold in the opener, striking out 13 times including five from rookie Jackson Chourio at the top of the order.
Milwaukee’s lineup might take time to click without Christian Yelich firing on all cylinders. Their road underdog value isn’t strong enough against a top-tier arm like Fried.
Betting Prediction: Cortes could keep it close early, but the edge is with Fried and the Yankees, especially with Milwaukee’s bats scuffling.
Best Bets:
Yankees -1.5 (+120) – Solid value backing a top-tier starter vs. a team with swing-and-miss concerns.
Under 8.5 (-110) – Two quality lefties and potential early-season rust on both offenses lean this game under the total.
Score Prediction: Yankees 5, Brewers 2
Keep an eye on Fried to rack up Ks and Cortes’ pitch count — but this one tilts in favor of the Bronx Bombers.
- MLB Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
