Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.89 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (38-30) go up against Zack Greinke (5-2, 1.81 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (39-32) in the second of a four-game series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 4-2 and Chicago leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 23 and will air on SportsNet LA and CSN-CHI.
Hammel has a 5.52 ERA and a 2-5 record in his career against the Dodgers, and is up against a solid Los Angeles offense that’s hitting .258 on the year. Kris Bryant (.282, 40 Rs, 10 HRs, 42 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. In his career against the Cubs, Greinke is 4-2 with a 4.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts. Adrian Gonzalez (.297, 38 Rs, 12 HRs, 45 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Chicago, a +125 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Los Angeles. The Cubs are 14-13 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +336. They have been very patient at the plate during home games, leading the NL with an average of 3.5 walks per game. As for the pitching staff, the Cubs are fourth in the league in WHIP at 1.20.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Dodgers come into this game with a win percentage of .556 when playing as the favorite (35-28) and an overall money line of -524. Los Angeles is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 93 home runs. The Dodgers average 4.0 walks per road game, making them the most disciplined team in the NL when they travel. Switching gears to Los Angeles’s pitching staff, they have the fourth-lowest road ERA in the NL at 3.78. They have a WHIP of 1.19, second best in the MLB. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the NL with an average of 8.6 strikeouts per game.
The only other game between the two teams went Chicago’s way. This game will feature Greinke (RHP) on the mound against the Cubs, who have a 32-26 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Dodgers will be the right-hander Hammel. They sport a 36-24 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD
Notes
When the Cubs play into extra innings, they have an 8-3 record. The Dodgers are 3-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Dodgers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cubs have a 9-15 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 28-7. The Cubs have a 25-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 288 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 304.
Chicago and Los Angeles both rank in the top five of the league in walks. Chicago sits at fifth with 227 this season and Los Angeles ranks second with 253.
The Cubs are 25-15 when they hit at least one home run. The Dodgers perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 32-20 record.
