The Los Angeles Dodgers andthe Chicago Cubs are meeting up for a four game series this week in Los Angeles. This is the second series between the two teams in two weeks, and the Cubs took two out of three from the Dodgers last week at Wrigley Field. This is also a rematch of the last two National League Championship Series, which were split between the two teams.
Both the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in second place in their respective divisions. The Cubs trail the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, a division that they have dominated the previous two seasons. The Dodgers are trying to chase down the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West. The Los Angeles Dodgers are -142 over the Cubs on Wednesday night.
Hendricks Struggling to Find Consistency
Cubs starter, Kyle Hendricks, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in recent seasons, but hasn’t been consistent in 2018. Hendricks come into Wednesday’s game with a 5-7 record, but does sport a very respectable 3.73 earned run average. Hendricks is known for his great command, but has struggled with walks in his last few outings.
The Cubs will be without former MVP, Kris Bryant, for the remainder of the series against the Dodgers. Bryant recently went on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, and the Cubs have missed his offense of late. Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez will try to pick up the slack, but Rizzo is also going through a rough offensive slump for the Cubs.
Dodgers Finding Their Groove
The Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to hit rock bottom in mid May, but have been the best team in the National League since that point. The Dodgers have stormed all the way back in the National League West, and now just trail the Diamondbacks by less than two games. Los Angeles was the favorite to win the National League pennant coming into this season, and they are playing at that level right now.
The resurgence of Matt Kemp is one of the biggest reasons for the Dodgers comeback. The veteran outfielder appears to be headed to the All Star game in July, and leads the team in most offensive categories. Kemp ranks near the top of the National League in batting average and looks to stay hot to power the Dodgers.
Dodgers Defeat Cubs
The Cubs have really struggled in the last week, and injuries have been a big problem for them. Chicago will play without their best offensive player on Wednesday night, and are struggling to score runs as a team. The Cubs will break out of their slump eventually, but things are tough for them against the Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the hottest team in baseball right now, and are starting to play like the best team in the National League. Alex Wood will make the start on Wednesday night, and has been very consistent for LA. Look for Wood and the Dodgers to frustrate the Cubs again in game three of the series. Bet the Los Angeles Dodgers -146 over the Cubs on Wednesday.
