The National League playoff race intensifies on Tuesday as the Chicago Cubs (73-70, 2nd NL Central) prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers (86-57, 1st NL West) in a crucial three-game series. The opening matchup occurred on Monday night (Note: This article was drafted prior to Monday’s result). The Cubs recently dropped two of three games against the Yankees, while the Dodgers secured two of three victories against the Guardians. In their earlier series back in April, the Cubs managed to win two of three games at home. For this matchup, Chicago will send Shota Imanaga (2.99 ERA) to the mound, while Los Angeles counters with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.92 ERA). The first pitch is set for 10:10 EST at Dodger Stadium, with the game broadcast on TBS.
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Cubs Facing Challenges
The Chicago Cubs find themselves in a tight Wild Card race but are struggling to maintain their momentum. They recently lost two of three games against both the Pirates and Yankees, placing them five spots behind the final Wild Card position. With the Milwaukee Brewers holding a nine-game lead in the NL Central, the Cubs face a steeper climb to catch up in the division. In their last game against the Yankees, despite only managing three hits, they scraped out a 2-1 victory.
Left fielder Ian Happ stood out with one of those three hits, but his defensive prowess was even more impressive, as he made two critical catches to prevent extra-base hits from the Yankees. Chicago manager Craig Counsell praised Happ’s performance, noting, “He made a big impact on the game today for sure. Those were two big plays that can change the game.” Happ, who batted leadoff on Sunday, leads the Cubs with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs, boasting a .245 batting average. Meanwhile, Seiya Suzuki holds the best batting average on the team at .279, contributing 19 home runs and 64 RBIs.
Shota Imanaga is set for his 27th start of the season, leading the Cubs in both starts and innings pitched. With a 12-3 record and a 2.99 ERA—tied for the sixth-best in the majors—Ivanaga has been a reliable presence on the mound. His recent outing featured a no-hitter through seven innings before he was pulled, with the bullpen completing a combined no-hitter against the Pirates.
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Dodgers Maintain Dominance
The Los Angeles Dodgers have held a commanding position in the NL West for much of the season and continue to look strong as the playoffs approach. The Padres and Diamondbacks posed a challenge, coming within two games at one point, but have since fallen back, with the Padres now trailing by six games. Currently, the Dodgers boast the best record in Major League Baseball, sitting just ahead of the Phillies. In their last game, Shohei Ohtani achieved a career milestone, tying his personal best with 46 home runs this season in a victory over the Guardians.
Ohtani is on pace to become the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. After the game against Cleveland, Ohtani remarked, “I’m trying to focus on having a good feel at the plate and, when possible, stealing bases or advancing to the next base.” With 19 games remaining, he now has 46 home runs and stolen bases. He ranks second in MLB home runs, trailing only Aaron Judge. Mookie Betts, batting second in the lineup, has contributed 16 home runs and 63 RBIs, maintaining an impressive .305 batting average despite earlier injury setbacks. Will Smith, batting fifth, has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs to the Dodgers’ offensive arsenal.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is gearing up for his 15th start of the season as he returns from a two-month stint on the injured list due to a triceps issue. With an ERA of 2.92, he is not yet ranked among the league leaders due to insufficient innings pitched. Prior to his injury, Yamamoto held a 6-2 record, with 43 strikeouts against just six walks and five home runs allowed.
Betting Insights for Cubs vs. Dodgers
The Cubs find themselves in a challenging phase of their schedule, following a series against the Yankees and now facing off against the top team in baseball. The uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers’ pitching staff adds to the intrigue, as Yamamoto is set to make his return after a significant injury layoff. If he struggles during warm-ups, a reliever may need to step in at short notice. Even if he does take the mound, the coaching staff is likely to manage his pitch count to avoid further injury ahead of the playoffs.
The Cubs are relying on their ace, Imanaga, who has shown consistent improvement throughout the season. His near-no-hitter in his last appearance demonstrates his current form. With playoff ambitions on the line, the Cubs are motivated to secure a much-needed victory. Given the favorable pitching matchup, this game could tilt in Chicago’s favor.
