The Chicago Cubs are coming off a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers last night (don't @ me baseball purists) and will look to keep rolling against the defending World Series champions on Friday.
Oddsmakers are expecting the Dodgers to bounce back, installing them as -167 favorites for the second contest in this four-game series in L.A.
Here are our best free Cubs vs. Dodgers picks and predictions for Friday, June 25, with the opening pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.
Cubs vs Dodgers game info
• Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Friday, June 25, 2021
• Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
• TV: SportsNet LA, Marquee Sports Network
Cubs vs Dodgers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonFanDuel pegged Los Angeles as -178 chalk late Thursday night, stretched out to -196 by this morning, then this afternoon backed up to -184, where the moneyline stands at 7:15 p.m. ET. It's pretty much all Dodgers, at 80 percent of tickets and 91 percent of cash. The total opened at 9 (Under -115) and is now 9.5 (Under -120), although the Under is seeing 73 percent of tickets/66 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameCubs vs Dodgers betting preview
Starting pitchers
Jake Arrieta (5-8, 5.45 ERA): Arrieta has struggled this season, despite returning to Chicago where he enjoyed the most success of his career.
The right-hander won the NL Cy Young Award as a member of the Cubs in 2015 but has an ugly 1.48 WHIP and .272 opponent batting average in 14 starts this year. In his last outing, he surrendered four runs and six hits in three innings against the lowly Marlins.
Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 3.00 ERA): Gonsolin has only made three starts this season as he has been sidelined with inflammation in his right (throwing) shoulder. The 27-year-old was limited to 3 2-3 innings on Sunday when he held the Diamondbacks to one run and three hits.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Cubs: Nico Hoerner SS, David Bote 3B.
Dodgers: Corey Seager SS (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 6-1 in the Cubs' last seven road games. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Dodgers.
Moneyline pick
The Cubs have won three of their last four games to move into a tie with the Brewers for first place in the NL Central with a 42-33 record.
Los Angeles has now lost four games in a row after getting swept earlier this week in San Diego. The Dodgers are still 44-31 but are tied with the Padres for second-place in the NL West, 4.5 games behind the resurgent San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers had a brutal day at the plate last night but they are still second in the majors in scoring with 5.07 runs per game. They should have more success today against Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, who has looked very shaky this year. Arrieta has been particularly bad this month, pitching to a 9.00 ERA with a 1.80 WHIP in 15 innings across four starts.
Although Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin is still building up his arm strength as he works his way back from a shoulder injury, the Dodgers bullpen is very solid behind him. Dodgers relievers have pitched to a 3.79 ERA this season while ranking fifth in the majors with an OBA of .219.
That's bad news for the Cubbies, who have struggled at the dish lately, ranking just 27th in the majors with an OPS of .664 over the last 30 days.
Despite their recent cold streak, the Dodgers are still 48-20 in their last 68 games at home. Meanwhile, the Cubs are just 6-14 in their last 20 road games as underdogs. Take the home side tonight.
PREDICTION: ML L.A. Dodgers (-167)
Over/Under pick
Arrieta has been struggling lately but the Cubs bullpen has been fantastic. Chicago's relievers collectively lead the majors with a 2.60 ERA and an OBA of .186.
We mentioned the Cubs' hitting woes over the last month, but they've looked ugly at the plate all season when on the road. The Cubs are plating just 3.86 runs per game with an OPS of .669 in away contests this year.
Although Gonsolin might not log more than three or four innings, he should be effective when he is on the mound. The righty has pitched to a 2.63 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP across 95 2-3 innings in his career.
With Chicago going 6-1 to the Under in its last seven games on the road and the Dodgers going 4-1 to the Under in their last five at home, go against the line movement and back the Under tonight.
PREDICTION: Under 9.5 (-118)
Cubs vs Dodgers betting card
- ML L.A. Dodgers (-167)
- Under 9.5 (-118)
Picks made on 6/25/2021 at 11:15 a.m. ET
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