Cubs and Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball

Cubs Look for NL Central Lead Against Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers (47-24, plus-11.88 betting units) are well on their way to winning their seventh straight National League West title. But they’ve got their sights set on something bigger: a World Series title. The Dodgers will take their next step this Sunday when they host the Chicago Cubs (39-31, plus-2.20 units); first pitch is at 7:05 PM ET on ESPN.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN; LINE: Dodgers -175; O/U: 8 Under -115.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (4-6, 3.89 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-1, 1.36)

Hyun-Jin Ryu (1.36 ERA) will throw for the Dodgers opposite fellow southpaw Jose Quintana (3.89 ERA). This has been an outstanding season thus far for Ryu. He has L.A. up 3.69 units on a team record of 9-4; Quintana has performed reasonably well for the Cubs, but they’re only 6-8 behind the eighth-year veteran for a loss of 2.89 units.

Chicago hopes the acquisition of closer Craig Kimbrel will help support their starting rotation. Kimbrel, who had a 2.74 ERA in 2018, was signed to a 3-year contract last Friday after languishing in free agency. The 7-time All-Star is coming off a World Series win over L.A. with the Boston Red Sox. He isn’t expected to debut for the Cubs until late June.

Yu Darvish and Walker Buehler each tossed seven strong innings Saturday. Then Chicago's Anthony Rizzo belted a go-ahead, two-run homer off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning. It ended Jansen's scoreless streak at 10 1/3 innings. The Dodgers remain firmly in control of the NL West race but need more production from outfielder Joc Pederson. He went 0-for-3 from the leadoff spot Saturday and is hitless in his last 26 at-bats. The Cubs are 27-19 in their last 46 games and are starting to get into a rhythm. Rizzo has gone deep in back-to-game games and is batting .321 with 16 homers and 40 RBI's in his last 49 games.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Cubs' Quintana walked a season-high four batters and allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 2/3 innings in last Tuesday's 10-3 loss to Colorado. He has posted a 4.38 ERA over his last seven starts covering 39 innings. He is seeking his first victory since May 5. Quintana is 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four career starts versus Los Angeles. That includes a 0-1 mark, with a 1.40 mark in three outings at Dodger Stadium. The Cubs are 24-11 at home compared to 15-20 on the road.

The Dodgers' Ryu turned in another strong outing last Monday. It was in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels where he allowed one run, on seven hits, over six innings. He also added six strikeouts. Ryu has been sensational this season with a 77-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 13 starts and 86 innings. Carlos Gonzalez is 5-for-15 with a home run against Ryu. He owns a 1-1 record and 4.24 ERA in three career starts versus the Cubs. Cody Bellinger is batting .294 with five homers and 11 RBI's in 16 career games against the Cubs.

The Dart Throw: Dodgers 4, Cubs 2

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MLB Betting Odds & Trends

Chicago Cubs
Chi Cubs is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Chi Cubs is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Chi Cubs is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing LA Dodgers
Chi Cubs is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Dodgers is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of LA Dodgers's last 13 games
LA Dodgers is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
LA Dodgers is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
LA Dodgers is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs
LA Dodgers is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

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