The Los Angeles Dodgers (11-11) finish their 4-game set with the Chicago Cubs (12-8) Sunday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 2:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Dodgers vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 3-3
What would have been an easy Dodgers sweep in 2022 (they went 7-0 vs. Cubs) is now up for grabs. The Dodgers are slow out of the gate and the Cubs are an April surprise.
After Friday’s near perfect game by Cubs LHP Drew Smyly, the Dodgers bounced back with 11 hits and 2 HRs by 3B Max Muncy and by CF James Outman. The Cubs kept the game close until a 3-run 9th put the game away for Los Angeles.
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Dodgers at Cubs projected starters
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. RHP Marcus Stroman
Kershaw (3-1, 2.52 ERA) makes his 5th start. He’s pitched 25 innings this season, allowing 19 hits and walking 4 with 26 K’s and a 0.92 WHIP.
- Last start: W, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 9 K in 5-0 home victory against the New York Mets
- Has 25 of his 26 strikeouts against right-handed batters
Stroman (2-1, 0.75 ERA) makes his 4th start. Has pitched 24 innings, allowing 12 hits and walking 10 with 25 K’s and a 0.92 WHIP.
- Last start: 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K and no-decision in 4-0 win at Oakland Athletics
- Has .125 BA against right-handed batters
Dodgers at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Cubs +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (+125) | Cubs +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Dodgers at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 3, Dodgers 2
Moneyline
While Kershaw is on the mound and looking like his normal dominant self, one potential weakness is that in 2 of his 4 starts he had 6-plus runs in support. Stroman is off to a great start and runs may be hard to come by. I see more value in the plus money on a surging Cubs team at home.
LEAN CUBS +115.
Run line/Against the spread
I certainly like the Cubs to win, but not cover and -155 is a bit high. For those willing to play that number I will add that after a win the Dodgers have struggled to cover, going just 2-8 this season. PASS.
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Over/Under
Going back to last season the Cubs hit the Under in 15 of their last 21 games against the NL West. The Dodgers also trend to the Under going 4-0 in their last 4 matchups vs. a right-handed starter.
BET UNDER 7.5 (-120).
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