The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are squaring off in a four-game series in California this weekend, and game two will take place on Friday night. This series will have a playoff feel as both teams have been the top two teams in the National League over the last few seasons. The Dodgers were able to use the long ball to win the series opener, beating the Cubs by a score of 7-3.
With the loss on Thursday night, the Cubs have now fallen out of first place in the National League Central. Chicago comes into this game with a record of 38-30 but has gone just 14-19 away from home. Los Angeles improved their record to 46-23 with the series-opening win on Thursday night, and they have a commanding lead in the National League West Division. The Chicago Cubs are +118 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.
Hendricks Pitching Well For Cubs
Kyle Hendricks will make the start for the Cubs in game two of the series, and that is a good sign for Cubs fans. Hendricks got off to a slow start this season but has been pitching extremely well of late. The soft-tossing right-hander has won his last six decisions and comes into this game with a record of 7-4 to go along with a 3.00 earned run average. The Cubs have a bullpen that is riddled with injury, and they will need “The Professor” to go deep into this game.
Kyle Schwarber led off the series by hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw from Clayton Kershaw. Schwarber has been hitting well of late and now has 15 home runs and 33 runs batted in this season. Javier Baez leads the team with a .296 batting average but has been scuffling a bit of late. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant have combined for 31 home runs to provide the thunder for the Cubs. Chicago can score runs with the best of them, but that hasn’t always been the case on the road this season.
Bellinger Leading Dodgers Offense
First baseman Cody Bellinger is the likely MVP of the National League up to this point of the season, and he was great on Thursday night. Bellinger blasted a pair of home runs and now leads the team with 22 homers, 57 runs batted in, and a batting average of .358. Los Angeles lost shortstop Corey Seager earlier in the week to injury, but they still have a ton of talent in that lineup.
The Dodgers will counter Hendricks by sending veteran Rich Hill to the mound for game two of the series. Hill got a late start to the season due to some nagging injuries but has returned to form since re-joining the starting rotation. The crafty left-hander has gone 3-1 with an impressive 2.40 earned run average through his first eight starts this season. Los Angeles does feature a solid bullpen that is led by closer Kenley Jansen.
Cubs Win Game Two of Series
Winning in Los Angeles is never an easy task, but the Cubs have the right man on the mound for them in this game. Kyle Hendricks has been pitching well of late, and he will find a way to slow down the red-hot Dodgers bats. Bet the Chicago Cubs +118 over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.
