The Los Angeles Dodgers will head to the northside for a showdown with the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make a Dodgers-Cubs prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.'
The Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Wednesday at Chavez Ravine, completing a three-game sweep of their biggest rivals and ending the homestand at 7-2. It was 1-1 in the third inning when Will Smith doubled to left to make it 2-1. Next, Teoscar Hernandez singled to make it 3-1. The Dodgers added to their total in the fourth when Miguel Rojas blasted a solo shot to left field to make it 4-1. The Giants inched closer, making it 4-3. However, Shohei Ohtani hit a home run in the seventh, his first as a member of the Dodgers, to help out this game away.
The Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies 9-8 on Wednesday night at Wrigley. Amazingly, they led 4-0 in the fifth inning when Seiya Suzuki blasted a solo shot to left-center field. The Cubs led 4-2 in the sixth inning when Miguel Amaya singled with the bases loaded to drive all the runners home. Unfortunately, the bullpen collapsed in the eighth, allowing the Rockies to score six times. But the Cubs regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Miles Mastrobuoni scored on a fielder's choice.
Bobby Miller will make the start for the Dodgers and is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Significantly, he tossed six shutout innings while allowing two hits and striking out 11 in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be his first time facing the Cubs.
Kyle Hendricks gets the nod for the Cubs. Recently, he struggled in his first start of the season, going 3 2/3 innings while allowing five earned runs on nine hits, including two home runs. Hendricks has struggled in his career against the Dodgers, sporting a 3-3 record with a 5.03 ERA over six appearances.
The Dodgers won the season series 4-3 against the Cubs in 2023.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Cubs Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+100)
Moneyline: -184
Chicago Cubs: +1.5 (-120)
Moneyline: +154
Over: 7 (-120)
Under: 7 (-102)
How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cubs
Time: 2:20 PM ET/11:20 AM PT
TV: Marquee Network and Sportsnet LA
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Dodgers Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Dodgers have gotten off to a hot start because of a scorching offense. Therefore, it has helped them get off to a good start, lessening the pressure on the starting pitchers. Let's take a look at a few of their hot bats.
Mookie Betts is on fire, as he has hit five home runs to start the season. Now, he will look to do even more as he leads off the LA lineup. Ohtani finally got his first home run of the season. Ultimately, everyone got to see the true impact he would have in this lineup. You cannot forget about Freddie Freeman. So far, he is batting .375 with one home run, seven RBIs, and five runs. Smith remains a centerpiece of this line as he is batting .406 with seven RBIs and three runs scored. Therefore, look for him to emerge in this one.
Miller was great in his first outing, not allowing a single run. Significantly, he will be a tough pitcher to face. But if he does not replicate his last outing, then the bullpen will need to back him up.
The Dodgers will cover the spread if they can continue to drive runners home. Then, Los Angeles needs good pitching against a tough lineup.
Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Cubs may not have the same fearsome lineup the Dodgers do. Yet, they still have a lineup that is capable of producing long innings and giving opposing pitchers fits for a while.
Ian Happ is exceptional in the leadoff spot, batting .391 with three RBIs and four runs. Likewise, Suzuki now is hitting .333 with two home runs, eight RBIs, and six runs after another stellar performance. Cody Bellinger will look to do some damage against the team that drafted him. So far, he is clipping just .208 with one home run, six RBIs, and three runs. Christopher Morel is hitting .375 with two home runs, four RBIs, and seven runs.
But the real challenge will come with pitching. Consequently, the pitching failed them on Wednesday. As a result, the Cubs blew a six-run lead and did not cover the spread. Therefore, they need a better effort from their relievers, who have allowed 10 earned runs over two games.
The Cubs will cover the spread if they can generate long innings and put some pressure on Miller. Then, the bullpen must avoid making mistakes.
Final Dodgers-Cubs Prediction & Pick
The Dodgers look to keep the momentum going as they head on the road for the first time (if you don't count Korea). Overall, they are the better team on paper and should have the better pitching matchup. Look for Millers to continue to confuse hitters with his arsenal of pitches. Likewise, the Dodgers will get at least one home run in this game with a lineup that can hit one out of the park at any given moment. Expect the Dodgers to go into Wrigley and score some runs. Subsequently, they will do this by scoring multiple times off Hendricks, not giving the Cubbie any chance. The Dodgers win and cover the spread.
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Final Dodgers-Cubs Prediction & Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+100)
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