Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
Two of the most storied franchises in the National League will do battle on Friday as the Chicago Cubs (34-49) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (53-29). Los Angeles will host this one at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:10 pm ET.
This is the second of a four-game series as the Dodgers took Thursday’s opener 5-3. In the win, Tony Gonsolin pitched seven innings, allowing just two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
Offensively, Mookie Betts led the way going two for three with two solo home runs. Gavin Lux and Justin Turner also homered in the victory.
For the Cubs, Mark Leiter Jr. took the loss after going five innings, allowing four runs on five hits. He also allowed three home runs in the defeat.
Christopher Morel kept his solid hitting going as he went one for three with a two-run home run. Aside from Morel, the team managed just five other hits in the contest.
The Dodgers are overwhelming favorites Friday. They are -235 to win while the Cubs’ moneyline sits at +194. The runline features the Cubs +1.5 (-146) while the over/under for total runs is 8.5 (-110).
Cubs Assessing Team Ahead Of Trade Deadline
At 34-49, the Cubs sit 12.5 games out of first place in the NL Central. Even though they have won six of their last 10, they will still likely be sellers ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. As such, management is still evaluating what players fit into the long-term future and which ones might find themselves on the trade block.
While he has performed very well, catcher Willson Contreras is one that will likely find himself on the block. He is hitting .274/.392/.498 with 13 home runs, 35 runs batted in, and 46 runs scored. Still, as a free agent at the end of the season, he is likely to finish the season in a different uniform.
Contreras has also had some success against the Dodgers’ Tyler Anderson. In 22 at bats, he is hitting .273 with a home run and three runs batted in. Yan Gomes and Patrick Wisdom have also taken the lefty deep.
On the mound for David Ross’ crew on Friday will be righty Keegan Thompson. In 18 games, the 27-year-old is 7-3 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, and he has 66 strikeouts in 71.1 innings.
Thompson took a no-decision in his last start, giving up two runs on seven hits and three walks in just four innings against the Red Sox.
Dodgers Try To Keep Best Record In National League
At 53-29, the Dodgers not only have the best record in the NL West, but they have the best record in the entire National League. With a 6.5-game lead in the division, they will look to stay on top and expand their leads against a struggling Cubs team.
On the mound for L.A. will be 32-year-old southpaw Tyler Anderson. In 15 games, Anderson has been fantastic as he sports a 9-1 record with a 3.09 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and has 73 strikeouts in 84.1 innings.
He picked up a win in his last start over the Padres. In the start, he went 6.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out six. The Dodgers currently rank second in scoring in the majors averaging five runs per game (4.90 at home).
Leading the offense for Los Angeles is Mookie Betts. After his big night Thursday, he is now hitting .277/.354/.561 with a team-leading 20 home runs and 58 runs scored. He also has 45 runs batted in and six stolen bases.
Take L.A. To Win And Cover
Even though the Cubs have been playing a bit better as of late, these are still just two teams heading in completely different directions. The Dodgers continue to control the National League while the Cubs are in the process of another rebuild.
Los Angeles not only has the best record in the N.L., but they are also 27-13 when playing at Dodger Stadium and have won four games in a row and eight of their last 10.
It is worth noting that Keegan Thompson has been solid this year, but Tyler Anderson has quietly been one of the best pitchers in the game.
Between the Dodgers’ pitching and their unrelentless offense, take them to both win and to cover the -1.5 runline (-115).
