The underperforming Dodgers are set to face the unexpectedly strong Cubs in a four-game weekend series at Wrigley Field, starting Thursday night. Jameson Taillon is set to pitch for the Cubs, while Michael Grove takes the mound for Los Angeles.
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MLB Betting Odds
The betting lines for Thursday’s game opened with Chicago favored at around -115 over Los Angeles, and an over/under of 10 runs. Early betting activity nudged the total up to 10.5, likely due to the forecasted wind blowing out to left field at Wrigley Field on Thursday night.
Dodgers-Cubs Betting Preview
The Dodgers recently lost two of three games at home to the Mets, dropping Wednesday’s rubber match 5-3. Prior to that, they lost two of three games at home to the Cubs. Looking further back, Los Angeles has a 1-3 record over its last four series and a 4-8 record over its last 12 games.
On the other hand, the Cubs just completed a three-game sweep at Oakland, outscoring the A’s 26-3. Before that, they won two of three games against the Dodgers in Los Angeles and two of three games against Seattle. The Cubs have a 4-0 record over their last four series and a 10-3 record over their last 13 games.
In the previous season, the Dodgers swept the Cubs in a seven-game series.
Thursday’s Pitching Match-Up
The pitching duel between Taillon and Grove is a repeat of last Saturday’s game, which resulted in a 2-1 victory for Los Angeles.
Taillon has yet to deliver a quality start this season, not lasting more than five innings in any game. Last Saturday, he held the Dodgers scoreless on two hits over five innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. However, his bullpen lost the game in the bottom of the ninth in a 2-1 Cubs defeat. In his two starts before that, Taillon struggled against Milwaukee and Texas, allowing eight runs (seven earned) and 13 hits in nine innings across two Chicago losses.
The overs are 2-1 with Taillon this season.
Grove, too, has not produced a quality start this year. Last Saturday, he limited the Cubs to one run and two hits through 5 2/3 innings in the 2-1 Dodgers win. In his two starts prior to that, he was hit hard by Arizona and Colorado, surrendering 12 runs and 14 hits in less than eight innings.
The Dodgers have a 2-1 record with Grove this season, which is one game better than they should be based on his performances.
Last Saturday’s game marked Grove’s first-ever appearance against the Cubs.
Splits With the Sticks
The Dodgers are batting .242 against right-handed pitchers this season, with a .338 team OBP and a .460 team slugging percentage. They are currently missing regulars C Will Smith (DL) and OF Mookie Betts (personal time).
The Cubs are hitting .277/.346/.435 against right-handed pitching and have scored at least eight runs four times in their last eight games.
The Bullpens
The Cubs bullpen has a 3.67 ERA this season, along with a 1.14 WHIP and a 3.30 K/BB ratio this season.
In contrast, the Dodgers bullpen, considered one of the best in baseball last season, currently holds a 5.01 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP, and a 2.95 K/BB ratio.
MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 8-5 against right-handed starters this season.
Chicago is 7-5 against right-handed starters.
Totals Report
- The totals are split 9-9 in Dodgers games this season.
- The overs are 9-8 in Cubs games.
- The unders are 5-4 at Wrigley Field this season.
- The overs are a combined 4-2 with Taillon and Grove this season.
