Game 6 of the NLCS. A chance for Clayton Kershaw to even the series and keep his team alive. A chance for Kyle Hendricks to earn redemption against the Dodgers’ ace and send his team to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1945. There’s a lot on the line in this elimination game so you can pretty much throw numbers out the window but just for fun, let’s look at some anyway.
Hendricks, who earned the 1-0 loss in Game 2 against Kershaw, had the lowest ERA of any starter in baseball this year and would have made his Cubs the favorites tonight if it weren’t for Clayton Kershaw standing in the way. The Dodgers’ lefty pitched seven innings of two-hit no-run baseball his last time taking the starting bump and seems to be shedding the notion that he can’t perform in the playoffs.
It’s starting to become cliché to talk about how good Kershaw actually is and honestly, I don’t have the adjectives to describe what this guy does. Even if he loses tonight, he has said that he will suit up for Game 7 and pitch in whatever capacity his team needs him, whether it be a start or in a save situation.
The Cubs’ bats have started hitting again as they’ve pounded in 18 runs in the last two so it’s going to be a lot like an unstoppable force running into an immovable object tonight when Kershaw takes the mound.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to pick the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers before the first pitch in this match found them as -129 moneyline favorites earlier today at Sportsbook. They saw the over/under total of 7 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 4-3.8 win for the Cubs on Saturday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Chicago Cubs sport a record of 109-61 heading into this matchup, while the Los Angeles Dodgers sit at 96-76 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Chicago vs Los Angeles injuries news.
The Chicago Cubs sit at No. 1 in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Los Angeles Dodgers sit at No. 7 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Chicago Cubs No. 3-rated offense, averaging 4.98 runs per game, against a Los Angeles Dodgers defense that ranks No. 5 at 4 in runs allowed per game. The Chicago Cubs have averaged 8.63 hits per game so far, more than Los Angeles Dodgers batters have averaged on the year (8.42 hits per game).
Chicago owns the No. 1 defense, allowing 4.98 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Los Angeles's No. 5-rated defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
Los Angeles at Chicago, Sunday, October 23rd