After a big 10-2 home victory over San Francisco, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to the road for a four-game series against Chicago. The hosts Cubs are also in fine form, blowing out Minnesota 8-0 on the road on Sunday. Which team takes this showdown between two hot NL teams? Read on as we break down the Major League action to come.
There’s plenty more NL action to come. Check out the complete previews for the Reds vs. Pirates and Cardinals vs. Marlins.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Preview
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
When: Monday, June 22, 8:05 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (-170) at Chicago Cubs (+150) – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
Reigning NL MVP and perennial Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw (5-4, 3.29 ERA) isn’t performing up to his amazing 2014 run. Kershaw has allowed 34 earned runs thus far this season, just five fewer than he allowed last year. He’s already matched last year’s home runs allowed with nine. The Dodgers ace allowed four runs (three earned) in a 5-3 home loss to Texas on June 17.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Kershaw could have plenty of success against a strikeout prone Chicago side. The Cubs have struck out 627 times this season, the most among all NL teams and second in the Majors. Kershaw is second in the Majors with 122 strikeouts. He’ll have an opportunity to be the first Dodger since Hideo Nomo in 1995 to record at least 10 strikeouts in four straight starts. Kershaw has gone 4-2 with a 2.09 ERA and 45 strikeouts in six career starts against the Cubs.
The Dodgers could give their ace plenty of run support if they keep their hot bats from last night’s drubbing of San Francisco. Yasmani Grandal went 3 for 5 with two home runs, while Adrian Gonzalez was 3 for 4 with a homer. Justin Turner has homered in three straight games heading into this contest. Turner is batting .444 in his last 12 games.
While the Dodgers have struggled on the road this season (12-18), they’ve had plenty of success in Chicago. The Dodgers batted .301 and went 7-1 in their last eight games at Wrigley Field.
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Betting on the Chicago Cubs
The Cubs’ bats are also sizzling heading into this contest. Dexter Fowler (grand slam) and Anthony Rizzo both homered in Chicago’s 8-0 victory over Minnesota on Sunday. Meanwhile, Starlin Castro went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. He’s hitting 5 for 9 in his last two games but is just 2 for 17 lifetime against Kershaw.
The Cubs could get the most of their offense from Fowler, who has hit .421 against Kershaw in his career. It’s the highest batting average for any player with at least 38 at-bats against the Dodgers ace.
Chicago is putting Tsuyoshi Wada (1-1, 3.68 ERA) on the mound. Wada had the best start of his career against Cleveland on June 17, allowing just four hits over seven innings and striking out six in a 17-0 domination. He posted a 2.53 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers last season that didn’t figure into decisions. Chicago lost both of those games.
The Cubs have won four of their last six at Wrigley Field.
Writer’s Prediction
Kershaw pitches a gem as the Dodgers (-170) take this game.
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