The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Cubs-Dodgers prediction and pick.

Chicago took the first game of this series behind a combined no-hitter, which marks the seventh no-hitter in the Majors this season. That is an all-time record number before the month of July and this had to be the most impressive one yet. Los Angeles never expects to get no-hit and you have to imagine they'll be hungry to bounce back in a big way in this game.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Cubs-Dodgers odds to make your predictions.

MLB Odds: Cubs-Dodgers Odds

Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-126)

Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+106)

Over 9.5 Runs (-103)

Under 9.5 Runs (-117)

Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread

The Chicago Cubs are 42-33 and now tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the lead in the NL Central. The Cubs have been inconsistent over the past couple of weeks, which is what ultimately gave the Brewers an opportunity to catch up to them and now have a chance to pass them. Chicago has now regained some momentum with two-straight wins and a combined no-hitter in the first game of this series against one of the best lineups in baseball.

Chicago is now averaging 4.33 runs per game, which the 16th-best mark in the Majors. Their offense has steadily improved this season and they have scored 11 combined runs over their past two games. This is a promising sign after the Cubs failed to score more than three runs in eight straight games. The pitching staff has been solid for Chicago as they allow 3.96 runs per game this season.

The Cubs will turn to right-hander Jake Arrieta for the second game of this series. Arrieta has really struggled this season with a 5-8 record and 5.45 ERA through 14 starts. The Cubs right-hander has been especially bad lately with a 7.22 ERA over his past seven starts. He has allowed four earned runs in two straight starts and will need to find some sort of success in this game to give his team a chance to win.

Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread

The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently 44-31 and 4.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. The defending champs have struggled lately with losses in four of their last five games. As crazy as it may sound, getting no-hit in Thursday night's game may have been just what the doctor ordered for this club. It'll be up to this lineup full of sluggers to wake up and right the wrong.

The Dodgers lineup is currently driving in 5.07 runs per game, which is the second-best mark in all of baseball. They have seen so much success at the plate despite the extended absence of Cody Bellinger from the lineup. With Corey Seager out of the lineup right now, there are some key bats missing for the Dodgers at the moment. With that being said, their top 10 rotation should be able to hold down the fort until some of the big bats return to the lineup.

Los Angeles will turn to right-hander Tony Gonsolin as they look to even the series. Gonsolin has been solid with a 3.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts over his first three starts of the season. He hasn't been asked to do much as he hasn't pitched into the fourth inning in any of his starts. The right-hander has allowed just one earned run in each start and finally managed not to walk anyone in his most recent start.

Final Cubs-Dodgers Prediction & Pick

I like the Dodgers to bounce back in a big way in the second game of this series. They have a very favorable matchup against a struggling Jake Arrieta and have won 10 of the last 13 home games against the Cubs. Los Angeles has won in each of Tony Gonsolin's first three starts and I fully expect that trend to continue on Friday night. Although the Cubs have scored in the last two games, they failed to score more than three runs in the eight games prior. I expect regression from their lineup.

FINAL PICK: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+106)