The Chicago Cubs (34-50) and Los Angeles Dodgers (54-29) continue a 4-game series Saturday. First pitch in the contest at Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.
Season series: Los Angeles leads 5-0.
The Cubs went just 2-13 over 15 games from June 4-21. Chicago had rallied with some solid play of late but was downed 5-3 in Thursday’s series lid-lifter and 4-3 in Friday’s second game, which was a 10-inning affair.
The Dodgers swept the Cubs 3-0 in Wrigley Field May 7-8. L.A. outscored Chicago 20-3 in that set. With Friday’s triumph, the Dodgers are 9-1 in their last 10 games.
Cubs at Dodgers projected starters
RHP Marcus Stroman vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw
Stroman (2-5, 5.32 ERA) is tabbed for his 10th start of the season. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 47 1/3 IP.
- Returning from the Injured List (shoulder) for this start in Chavez Ravine. Has not pitched for the Cubs since June 3 when his ERA ballooned from 3.95 to 5.32 by allowing 3 home runs and 9 runs against St. Louis.
- Allowed 5 ER on 7 hits in a 2 2/3-inning rehab start at Triple-A Sunday.
Kershaw (5-2, 2.57 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 through 56 IP.
- Faced the San Diego Padres at home Sunday and pitched 7 shutout innings. Owns a 1.00 ERA over his last 4 starts at home.
- Has held current Cubs batters to an aggregate .504 OPS.
Cubs at Dodgers odds and lines
- Money line: Cubs +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Dodgers -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Run line (RL): Cubs +1.5 (+100) | Dodgers -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
Cubs at Dodgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 5, Cubs 2
Money line
PASS. No need to try to heroically battle the gallons of juice here.
Run line/Against the spread
LOS ANGELES -1.5 (-120) is a solid play, even with an Under lean.
The Dodger offense has not cranked out big run totals of late, but with an .805 OPS since June 30, it’s producing plenty of opportunities. Figure Kershaw as being throttled back in this spot, as he threw 98 pitches Sunday. But the Los Angeles bullpen is in much better shape than that of the visiting Cubs, who are not that far removed from a woeful 2-13 stretch in June.
Over/Under
This series has some systemic Under lean (which has paid off the last 2 nights). The total and the state of Cubs pitching makes for a partial-unit play at best, however, for Saturday.
BACK THE UNDER 7.5 (+105) … but tread lightly.
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