Alex Wood (9-8, 3.70 ERA) and Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.22 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (72-56) and the Chicago Cubs (73-55) at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the last game 5-2, continuing a five-game winning streak. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30 and can be seen on ESPN.
Wood pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking three in a 5-1 win over the Reds. Andre Ethier (.299, 45 Rs, 12 HRs, 41 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 1 yesterday with one run and two RBIs. Arrieta went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs (one unearned), striking out eight and walking one in an 8-5 win over the Giants in his last outing. Kris Bryant (.263, 72 Rs, 20 HRs, 77 RBIs, 12 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Chicago is a slim -115 favorite over Los Angeles. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at seven runs for this matchup. The Dodgers have an overall money line of -1,163 and a record as the underdog of 7-6. Los Angeles has gone winless (0-1) as the underdog and 5-5 SU in its last 10 outings. The Dodgers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.8 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.1 runs per game. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.6 runs per game, well under their season average of 3.6. The Dodgers are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Dodgers, who rank second in the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.6.
In the other locker room, Chicago is coming in with an overall money line of +862 and an impressive record of 53-30 as the favorite. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 6-1 record, and a 6-4 record SU. Offensively, the Cubs have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 5.2 during that stretch. The Cubs allow 3.9 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 5.2 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.20 for the season. The Cubs have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.7 strikeouts per game.
The Dodgers lead the season series, 4-2. The Dodgers have a 59-42 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Arrieta takes the mound. Wood (LHP) will be on the hill against the Cubs, who have a 15-13 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC, O/U – Over
Notes
The Dodgers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cubs who are coming in with a 28-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Dodgers have a slight leg up on the Cubs, as the Dodgers have won their last five games while the Cubs have lost their last four.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 54-11. The Cubs have a 46-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the bottom half of the league based on total runs this season, Los Angeles ranks 16th with 527 runs and Chicago is 17th with 525.
Los Angeles and Chicago both rank in the top five of the league in walks. Los Angeles sits at fourth with 436 this season and Chicago ranks second with 440.
The Dodgers are 54-34 when they hit at least one home run. The Cubs perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 49-23 record.
