The Chicago Cubs welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Wrigley Field on Tuesday, April 22. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on SportsNet LA and Marquee Sports Network.
Two of the best teams in the National League meet for the third time already. The Dodgers took the first series in Japan, but the Cubs responded with a body blow to hand the Dodgers a stunning series loss a few weeks ago. Now, it's time for the rubber match. Can the Cubs beat Goliath again?
Find my Dodgers vs Cubs prediction below.
My Dodgers vs Cubs Prediction
- Dodgers vs Cubs picks: Cubs ML (play to -115)
My Dodgers vs Cubs best bet is Cubs ML (play to -115). Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Dodgers vs Cubs Odds
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +136 | 8.5 +100 / -121 | -120 |
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -162 | 8.5 +100 / -121 | +100 |
Dodgers vs Cubs Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Dustin May (LAD) | Stat | LHP Shota Imanaga (CHC) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-6 | W-L | 12-9 |
| 0.5 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.2 |
| 1.06/2.27 | ERA /xERA | 2.22/4.03 |
| 2.44/3.29 | FIP / xFIP | 4.44/4.85 |
| 0.76 | WHIP | 0.99 |
| 2.3 | K-BB% | 2.1% |
| 61.4% | GB% | 33.3% |
| 95 | Stuff+ | 100 |
| 103 | Location+ | 113 |
Sean Paul’s Dodgers vs Cubs Preview
Cubs Betting Preview: Shota On Thin Ice
Does the NL Central run through the Friendly Confines? At least for now, as the Cubs are 14-10 and have a one-game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central.
Shota Imanaga is on the mound for the Cubs to open the series. The southpaw faced the Dodgers in the opening season series in Japan, looking decent as he pitched just four innings with zero hits and runs, but walked four batters. Those four walks were a precursor to deeper issues as the season got rolling.
The walks have been an issue for Imanaga, lifting his BB/9 from 1.45 to 3.18.
You can surely make the case that Imanaga has been very lucky this year. He boasts a phenomenal 2.22 ERA, but his xERA sits at 4.03 with a 4.44 FIP and 4.85 xFIP. Rarely do numbers lie so a blowup outing could be in the works. I don't know if it comes here, though.
Believe it or not, the Cubs rank second in MLB with a 122 wRC+ behind only the Yankees. The addition of Kyle Tucker has totally transformed this Cubs lineup. He provides a steady presence, takes walks (14.9% walk rate), doesn't strike out (12% K rate), and has a 176 wRC+. He's a legitimate MVP candidate with his free agency looming.
It's not just Tucker, as Michael Busch leads the Cubs with a 177 wRC+ and Seiya Suzuki checks in with a 147 wRC+. If Chicago is getting production like that from that trio, along with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner posting a wRC+ above 100, this Cubs team is lethal.
Dodgers Betting Preview: May's Resurgence
How often can a team have a 69.6% winning percentage and it feel like they haven't reached their ceiling? That's the case for the Dodgers, who sit at 16-7, which is second place in the juggernaut NL West, behind the Padres.
While the Dodgers' roster is worth well over a billion dollars, money isn't the solution to all problems. They have one glaring issue besides the rotation being injured, and they cannot hit lefties.
The Dodgers faced left-handers in 251 plate appearances, which is the eighth most in MLB, but they rank 19th with an 81 wRC+.
The only two Dodgers who strike fear into lefties are Teoscar Hernandez and Will Smith, who have a 286 wRC+ and 186 wRC+, respectively. In order to flip things, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts have to turn things around from their below 110 wRC+'s.
Some players would love their weaker side to be a 107 wRC+, but it's not the standard that the two MVPs have set for themselves. It's not a huge shocker that Ohtani isn't as good versus lefties, but just one of his six homers came against lefties and his inpatient approach against lefties has led to him walking zero times in 28 PAs.
One of the best surprises for the Dodgers is the emergence of Dustin May. The 27-year-old is a former top prospect, but copious injury problems shelved May for nearly two years.
In his first action since 2023, May has pitched to a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings. I believe in May's sudden breakout, as he boasts a 2.27 xERA with a 2.44 FIP.
His velocity doesn't sit in the 97-99 range like it did prior to injury, but his sinker/sweeper combo is elite.
Dodgers vs Cubs Prediction, Betting Analysis
When the Cubs went to L.A. a few weeks ago and took two of three from the Dodgers, it proved one thing to me. The Cubs' offense gives them a chance to be one of the top teams in MLB.
Their pitching rotation is more of a question mark, but Imanaga should cruise through the Dodgers lineup again. The bottom of L.A.'s lineup is a total trainwreck and if Ohtani and Betts struggle, then the top of the lineup is pretty ordinary, too.
Give me the Cubs at home.
Pick: Cubs ML (play to -115)
Moneyline
I like the Cubs here
Run Line (Spread)
No play
Over/Under
No play
