Chicago Cubs (6-5) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (7-6)
April 14, 2023 10:10 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Dodgers -185 / Chicago Cubs +145; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet Friday in MLB action from Dodger Stadium. Chicago is coming off a series versus the Mariners this week. The Cubs managed two wins in three games during that matchup. As for the Dodgers, they won two of three versus the Giants in their last set. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs took a 3-2 win over the Mariners on Monday in the opener of their series, then won 14-9 in the Tuesday game. Chicago ended up losing 5-2 on Wednesday, however. Starter Marcus Stroman put up 6.0 innings in that one with two earned on five hits and two walks.
For the starter gig in the Friday matchup, the Cubs will send out Justin Steele. In his two starts this year Steele is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA. Over 12.0 innings he has 11 Ks total. Steele is 9-11 with a 3.35 ERA in his career over 46 games (35 starts).
Los Angeles Dodgers
Over on the Dodgers’ side, they beat the Giants 9-1 Monday but then fell 5-0 in game two. In the Wednesday rubber match, Los Angeles took the series win with a 10-5 victory. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw put up 6.0 innings with two earned on five hits and two walks.
Noah Syndergaard will take the starting role on Friday for the Dodgers. In two starts this year Syndergaard is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA. Over 10.0 innings he has eight Ks. Syndergaard holds a career 57-42 record with a 3.45 ERA in 148 games (146 starts).
The Cubs are 9-1 in their last 10 versus a team with a winning record and 13-3 in their last 16 Friday games. Chicago is 5-2 in their last seven overall.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are 40-13 in their last 53 at home versus a lefty starter and 41-14 in their last 55 versus the NL Central. LA is 90-32 in their last 122 at home.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll take a stab on the Cubs here. Stroman has two good starts under his belt so far. He’s coming off 6.0 innings with one earned on four hits and four walks in a win over Texas. The Cubs will need to back him up with a good offensive performance, however; they’ve posted just two runs in two of their last four outings. As for Syndergaard, he’s coming off a rough outing against Arizona with six earned in 4.0 innings on eight hits. I like Syndergaard to bounce back with a better effort here, but I still think the Cubs have a decent shot at a victory.
