Brock Stewart (0-2, 11.25 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (72-57) meet Jon Lester (14-4, 2.81 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (82-46) in the last of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the last game 3-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 28 and will air on CSCh, SNLA and TBS.
In his last start, Stewart pitched 3.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out two and walking four in an 11-3 loss to the Pirates. Corey Seager (.322, 87 Rs, 23 HRs, 62 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Cubs were victorious the last time Lester pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out eight and walking two in a 5-1 victory over the Padres. Anthony Rizzo (.299, 76 Rs, 25 HRs, 89 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Los Angeles, a +148 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Chicago. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Dodgers perform poorly as an underdog with an 8-20 record and have an overall money line of -354. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 5.1 during that span, compared to its 4.0 season average. The Dodgers are second in the league in WHIP at 1.187. They have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, leading the NL with 9.2 strikeouts per game.
Switching to the opposing dugout, the Cubs come into this game with a solid win percentage of .675 when playing as the favorite (77-37) and an overall money line of +321. They have played at the top of their game when rated as the favorite recently. They managed a 7-2 record when playing as the favorite and a SU record of 7-3. Chicago’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, averaging an NL-best 3.4 runs allowed per game. They have a WHIP of 1.118 on the year, the best in the league.
The Cubs have mostly come out on top against the Dodgers in their previous six games this season, earning a 4-2 record. This game will feature Lester (LHP) on the mound against the Dodgers, who have a 15-17 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Stewart will take the mound against the Cubs. Against righty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 55-32 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles has won 56% (28-22) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 67% (44-22) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing no walks during their last outing. The Dodgers have a 5-4 record when opponents don’t give up any walks.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 52-15. The Cubs have a 69-14 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 584 this season. Chicago ranks third with 655 runs.
Ranking first in walks, Chicago has earned 518 this season. Los Angeles ranks ninth with 419 walks.
The Dodgers are 56-29 when they hit at least one home run. The Cubs perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 61-24 record.
