Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Los Angeles Dodgers (17-7) will take on the Chicago Cubs (9-16) Sunday night to wrap up a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois and can be viewed on ESPN.  

Score Prediction

Dodgers 5, Cubs 2

Best Bets 

• Dodgers -1.5 (TBD)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Predictions

The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball and sit atop the NL West. The offense has been great the for the Dodgers, scoring five runs or more in 14 of their 24 games this season. The bullpen is one of the best in the league and have held opponents to one run or less in four of their last six games. The right-hander Walker Buehler is scheduled to get the start Sunday. Buehler is 3-1 in five games this season with an ERA of 2.12 and has given up 26 hits, seven earned runs, and struck out 26 batters in 29.2 innings.  

The Cubs have struggled to get much going this season and have lost six of their last seven games, including a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers Saturday afternoon. The offense cannot find any kind of rhythm, scoring three runs or less in 14 of their 25 games. The bullpen has not played well this season either, giving up four runs or more in five of their last seven games. Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman is expected to take the mound Sunday. Stroman is 1-3 in five games this season with an ERA of 5.13 and has given up 24 hits, 15 earned runs, and struck out 22 batters in 26.1 innings of work.

I like the Dodgers to win this matchup, but don’t see much value in the moneyline at –200, so will be playing them here at –1.5 runs for more juice. Los Angeles is set up for success with Buehler taking the mound and with how poorly Chicago has been hitting the ball. Expect the Dodgers to dominate again and cover the run line.  

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Odds

• Dodgers -200
• Cubs +165

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Resources

• Date: Sunday, May 8, 2022
• Matchup: NL West vs. NL Central
• Stadium: Wrigley Field
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• TV-Time: ESPN - 7:00 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Analysis

Prior to the results of Saturday night’s game, the Dodgers are 17-7 SU, 17-7 ATS, and have an O/U record of 8-15-1. The total has gone under in 10 of the Dodger’s last 14 games. Following this trend, the total has gone under in six of their last eight games on the road. Los Angeles is 2-7 SU in their last nine games when playing on the road against the Cubs.  

Los Angeles has had great offensive production thus far. As a team the Dodgers have a batting average of .241 (10th), on base percentage of .326 (3rd), slugging percentage .394 (8th), and have scored 125 runs (5th). The first baseman Freddie Freeman leads the team with a batting average of .319 (29-91), three home runs, and 12 RBIs. Shortstop Trea Turner has been bringing in runs for the Dodgers with a batting average of .275 (25-91), one home run, and 20 RBIs.  

The Dodgers' bullpen continues to dominate this season. As a team Los Angeles is allowing opponents a batting average of .190 (1st), have an ERA of 2.13 (1st), and have given up 58 runs (1st).  The right-hander Walker Buehler is scheduled to get the start Sunday. Buehler is 3-1 in five games this season with an ERA of 2.12 and has given up 26 hits, seven earned runs, and struck out 26 batters in 29.2 innings. Buehler pitched in two games against the Cubs last season and gave up 10 hits, five earned runs, and struck out 14 batters in 12.0 innings. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Analysis

The Cubs have had a rough start to their season and are 9-16 SU, 12-13 ATS, and have an O/U record of 11-12-2. The Cubs are 1-6 SU in their last seven games and 1-8 SU in their last nine home games. Going against this trend, Chicago is 7-2 in their last nine games when playing at home against the Dodgers. The total has gone over in five of their last seven when playing against an NL West opponent. 

 Chicago’s offense has been in a huge slump, scoring two runs or less in seven of their last nine games. As a team the Cubs have a batting average of .237 (13th), on base percentage of .319 (8th), slugging percentage of .370 (16th), and have scored 101 runs (20th). Center fielder Ian Happ has been the team's most consistent hitter with a batting average of .292 (21-72), two home runs, and 11 RBIs. The right-fielder Seiya Suzuki has been the Cubs power hitter with a batting average of .253 (21-83), four home runs, and 15 RBIs.  

The Cubs bullpen is struggling just as badly as the offense this season. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .247 (24th), have an ERA of 4.34 (25th), and have given up 114 runs (21st). Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman is expected to take the mound Sunday. Stroman is 1-3 in five games this season with an ERA of 5.13 and has given up 24 hits, 15 earned runs, and struck out 22 batters in 26.1 innings of work. In his only game against the Dodgers last season, Stroman gave up four hits, two earned runs, and struck out six batters in 6.0 innings. 

Key Players to Watch

• LAD: Freddie Freeman - 1B (Last Game: TBD)
• LAD: Trea Turner - SS (Last Game: TBD)
• CHC: Seiya Suzuki - OF (Last Game: TBD)
• CHC: Ian Happ - OF (Last Game: TBD)

Probable Pitchers

• LAD: Walker Buehler - RHP (3-1, 2.12 ERA, 26 K, 1.11 WHIP)
• CHC: Marcus Stroman - RHP (1-3, 5.13 ERA, 22 K, 1.18 WHIP)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Conclusion

The Dodgers have been dominant this season and there is no reason that should be any different on Sunday night. The Cubs have a losing record at home and Los Angeles is averaging five runs per game, which ranks first in the MLB. Back the Dodgers here at –1.5 runs.  

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