Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers MLB Predictions, Picks and Preview – National League Championship Series Game Three – October 18, 2016

Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

When: Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 8:00 PM ET

Line: Chicago Cubs (-124) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (+114); total: 6.5 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

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Betting on the Chicago Cubs (-124)

Regardless of how relatively shaky Jake Arrieta has been of late, the Cubs are still a formidable team when their ace is on the mound.

Arrieta gets the ball later tonight following a so-so performance in a 6-5 win over the Giants back in Game 4 of the NLDS. Arrieta went six innings in that game, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out five. Arrieta has pitched just once this year against the Dodgers, tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out eight before the Cubs’ bullpen imploded in a 5-0 loss back in May 31.

Arrieta isn’t as dependable on the road, though, as he is at home as evidenced by his 3.59 ERA in 15 starts away from Wrigley Field in the regular season. That said, his team went 11-3 in those games, largely thanks in part to a healthy Cubs’ offense. The Cubs are 3-2 in Arrieta’s last five road starts.

The Cubs, who were silenced by Clayton Kershaw in Game 2’s 1-0 loss, are looking forward to do better at the plate later tonight. The pair of Javier Baez and Kris Bryant spearhead the Cubs’ offense. Baez is 9-for-23 with three RBI’s in this postseason, while Bryant is 8-for-24 with four runs plated in the past six games.

Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers (+124)

Clayton Kershaw can’t pitch every game for the Dodgers, but lefty Rich Hill can be just as effective on some nights. Hopefully for the Dodgers this is going to be one of his nights, as Hill takes the mound at Dodger Stadium, where he is 2-1 with a 0.39 ERA in four career starts there.

Hill lasted just 2.2 innings in his last start, a 4-3 win over Washington in the NLDS so expect him to come in fresh. The Cubs have minimal experience in hitting against Hill, as only four Chicago hitters have faced him before. Among them are Chris Coghlan and David Ross, who are a combined 2-for-16 opposite the Dodgers’ southpaw.

Hill has been dealing with finger issues of late and if he’s pulled out early again, the Dodgers will have the luxury of using their impressive bullpen that has tops the league since September with a 3.35 ERA.

The Dodgers’ offense, meanwhile, will bank on the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Reddick, who are among the few LA hitters with some success against Arrieta.

Gonzalez is 6-for-21 with a homer and a double off the Cubs’ pitcher, while Reddick is 4-for-9 in the same career head-to-head.

Writer’s Prediction

Los Angeles (+124) wins, 4-3.

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