The Chicago Cubs will be looking to rebound from a 7-3 setback in their series-opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers when the NL teams play the second of a four-game set tonight in California.
Standout Stats
- Sportsbooks opened the Dodgers as -128 home favorites with a total of 8.
- Kyle Hendricks is listed as the probable starter for the Cubbies. Hendricks (7-4, 3.00 ERA) has struck out 20 batters against two walks and allowed five runs in 22 innings while winning his last three starts.
- Hendricks is 2-2 with a 5.16 ERA in four regular-season starts vs the Dodgers.
- Rich Hill will counter for the Dodgers. Hill (3-1, 2.50) has won back-to-back starts and three straight decisions. The 39-year-old hasn’t allowed a run in 6.2 regular-season innings (one start, one relief appearance) against the Cubs.
- Is another OVER in store in this series? After the series opener went above the closing total, the OVER is now 6-1 in the past seven meetings between the Dodgers and Cubs.
- The Cubs haven’t fared well at Dodger Stadium. Chicago is 2-8 SU in its last 10 trips to Los Angeles.
My Best Bet for Cubs-Dodgers
OVER 8 runs
The Cubs and Dodgers have a history of going OVER totals, and despite Hill’s impressive numbers against Chicago, I’m taking OVER 8 runs in this game. Chicago was outplayed on Thursday but I’m expecting a better offensive performance out of the Cubs tonight, and I think the Dodgers will put enough runs on the board to send this one OVER.
The total has gone OVER in six of the Cubs’ last seven vs the Dodgers. The Cubs are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games on the road vs the Dodgers. The favored team is 3-1 SU in the last four games in this matchup.
