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The Los Angeles Dodgers (8-3) and Chicago Cubs (5-3) conclude a 3-game series Sunday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is slated for 2:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Dodgers evened up the series Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over the Cubs. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto got his 1st career major league win, holding Chicago scoreless over 5 innings and punching out 8 batters. Dodgers 3B Max Muncy sealed the victory with a 2-RBI single in the top of the 5th. They are in the midst of a 6-game midwest road trip with the Minnesota Twins on the horizon.
Chicago had its 5-game winning streak snapped Saturday. It could only muster 1 run on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the 9th from pinch-hitting 2B Miles Mastrobuoni. The Cubs had been averaging nearly 9 runs per game over their win streak. After Sunday, they head off on a 9-game west coast road trip starting in San Diego.
Dodgers at Cubs projected starters
RHP Gavin Stone vs. LHP Shota Imanaga
Stone (0-0, 5.40 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 3 ER on 7 H and 1 BB with 6 K in 5 IP in his debut vs. the St. Louis Cardinals last Sunday.
- 2023 road stats: 1-0, 9.39 ERA (15 1/3 IP, 16 ER) in 2 starts and 2 relief appearances
- Has never faced the Cubs
Imanaga (1-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd career start. He allowed 2 H and 0 BB with 9 K in 6 scoreless innings in his MLB debut vs. the Colorado Rockies Monday.
- Signed a 4-year, $53 million contract with Chicago in January
- Previously played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the Japan Central League
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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 Saturday at 11:55 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (+145) | Cubs +1.5 (-180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Dodgers at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 5, Cubs 2
Moneyline
BET DODGERS (-115).
The Dodgers will close out this series with a victory Sunday afternoon at Wrigley. As good as Imanaga looked in his debut, he shut down 1 of the worst lineups in the major leagues. He will now face possibly the best lineup in his 2nd start. This will be his real welcome to the big leagues. Los Angeles is also 3-0 and batting .281 against left-handers this season.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I’m going to keep my wager to the moneyline, as I’d rather not play around with the run line in this matchup.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8.5 (-115).
After scoring 16 runs in the series opener, there were just 5 total in the 2nd game. While I like the Dodgers to get to Imanaga, I don’t think it’s a blowout. I see them getting 3 earned runs on the starter and likely another 2 against the bullpen.
The Cubs are batting more than 30 points lower against righties than lefties this season. They won’t be able to get much going against Stone Sunday afternoon.
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