Mets vs. Brewers Game 3 predictions: NL Wild Card odds, picks, best bets

There’s the clichéd coaching expression that you need your best players to be their best when their best is needed — and if you’ve watched either the Mets or the Brewers in the last couple of days, that’s been exemplified.

They exchanged momentum like a hot potato again in Game 2, but while the Mets continued their success route of tight defense and stringing runs together off singles, the Brewers powered ahead with the long ball — two of which came off the bat of Jackson Chourio.

Oddsmakers are noting the hotter star power and home field advantage for Game 3 as the Brew Crew opened at -123 on the moneyline once the Mets officially announced Jose Quintana as their starter. 

Milwaukee sits at -125 odds at BetMGM as of early Thursday morning.

While lead has been forfeited six times though 17 ½ innings in this series, I’m not letting this influence the stage for the finale.

Mets vs. Brewers Game 3 odds

Quintana steps in after having dropped two losses to the Brewers in 2024, including his last appearance of the season in Saturday’s 6-0 loss where he struck out nine hitters and was victimized by the Mets’ fickle run support. 

He’s recorded a steady numbers against Milwaukee in his career, sporting a 2.98 ERA and a 9.07 strikeout per nine rate. Quintana hasn’t seen the playoffs in two years, but he owns a 1.02 WHIP through 18 2/3 innings pitched.

The 13-year veteran will face another Brewers rookie in Tobias Myers, who’s showcased he can pitch deep into games all season.

Myers doesn’t bring the blistering velocity, though what’s made him reliable is his radar for locating pitches and minimizing walks.

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The Brewers have used their bullpen for 4 ⅓ more innings than the Mets, but no matter who Pat Murphy elects to juggle with in Game 3, it’s tough to fade a relief staff that finished with the second-best ERA in baseball (3.11).

The best players are primed to show again in the only Wild Card series that’s gone the distance, but it projects to be more of just who blinks first. 

THE PLAY: Under 7.5 Runs (BetMGM, -115)