La Dodgers vs Chi. Cubs Picks and Predictions September 11th 2024

Cubs look to continue recent road success in finale vs. Dodgers

At 10:10 PM ET, the Cubs and Dodgers will square off in an NL matchup. This one is being played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -174. The money line odds for a Cubs win are at +146. Chicago comes in with a record of 75-70, while the Dodgers are 86-59. Bobby Miller is starting for the Dodgers, while the Cubs are going with Jordan Wicks.

Chicago is currently on a three-game winning streak, and they are second in the NL Central. Los Angeles is looking to end a two-game losing streak and is first in the NL West. The over/under line for this game is at 9 runs, and it can be seen on MARQ.

Chicago vs. Los Angeles Key Information

• Teams: Cubs at Dodgers
• Where: Dodger Stadium Los Angeles
• Date: Wednesday, September 11th
• Betting Odds LAD -174 | CHC +146 O/U 9

The Cubs Can Win If…

Left-hander Jordan Wicks gets the start for the Cubs today as he faces the Dodgers on the road. He has made eight starts this year and has a record of 2-3 with an ERA of 4.03. Wicks’ WHIP for the season is currently 1.42. In his last outing, he took the loss, giving up three earned runs in five innings of work. Before that, he had won two straight starts. Wicks has only allowed two homers this year and is averaging 3.32 walks per nine innings compared to 8.53 strikeouts.

Over his last nine games, Cody Bellinger has gone 9/34 with two homers and six RBIs. Dansby Swanson has also been swinging a hot bat for the Cubs, going 12/37 with two homers and five RBIs over that same stretch. Heading into the game, Isaac Paredes is on a three-game hitting streak.

For the season, the Cubs are averaging 4.5 runs per game, which is 13th in the league. Their team batting average of .240 is also 13th in the MLB. Ian Happ and Isaac Paredes are both in the top two on the team in home runs, but both are batting under .250 for the season.

• The Cubs are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Cubs are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Chicago has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Cubs have an average of 3.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Cubs are 9-1
• Looking back across the Cubs last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Chicago has gone 3-0 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Cubs have averaged 9.9 runs per game on offense

The Dodgers Can Win If…

Right-hander Bobby Miller is getting the start for the Dodgers today and comes into the game with a record of 2-4 and an ERA of 7.79. Looking at his overall numbers, Miller has made 11 starts, and opponents are batting .274 this season. In his 11 starts, Miller has turned in just two quality starts and is averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The last time he pitched, Miller gave up seven earned runs in five innings of work, taking the loss. Before that outing, he had won two straight starts. At home, Miller is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA.

Shohei Ohtani has been a huge part of the Dodgers’ offense this season, as he is 2nd in the league with 46 home runs and 4th in the MLB with 101 RBIs. Ohtani is also batting .290 this season and comes into the game on a two-game home run streak. Mookie Betts has also been swinging a hot bat for the Dodgers, as he has gone 8/21 in his last six games, with two homers and four RBIs.

Los Angeles comes into the game as the league’s 3rd highest-scoring offense at 5 runs per game. They have been even better at home, averaging 4.9 runs per contest. Overall, the team is batting .254, which is 6th in the league, and they have the 3rd best on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the league.

• The Dodgers are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Dodgers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
• The Dodgers have an average of 3.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Dodgers are 6-4
• Looking back across the Dodgers last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Los Angeles has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Dodgers have averaged 5.4 runs per game on offense

The Lean

As the Dodgers host the Cubs today, we are leaning towards the Dodgers coming out on top at home. We also like the over in this one, as this is our 2nd highest projected scoring game of the day. These teams are 3rd in our projections in hits, and 2nd in home runs. Los Angeles starter Bobby Miller has the 8th best innings pitched projection in the league today.

A pair of pitchers, both seeking redemption after injury-interrupted seasons, are set to take the mound as the Chicago Cubs face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of their three-game series on Wednesday. The Cubs, riding an eight-game road winning streak, will send left-hander Jordan Wicks (2-3, 4.03 ERA) to the hill, while the Dodgers counter with hard-throwing right-hander Bobby Miller (2-4, 7.79 ERA), looking to rebound from a tough season.

Cubs Eye Sweep and Playoff Push

The Cubs have positioned themselves as serious playoff contenders. After scoring 16 runs across the first two games of this series, Chicago is aiming to sweep their third three-game series since late August. Their recent road success couldn’t come at a better time, as they continue to chase a coveted National League wild-card spot. They currently sit four games behind the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, who are tied for the final playoff berth.

Wicks has battled through injuries this season, missing time due to both a forearm and oblique strain. However, since rejoining the Cubs when rosters expanded in September, he has posted a respectable 3.60 ERA in two starts. Wicks, who faced the Dodgers once earlier this season, will look to secure a sweep that could provide a crucial boost to Chicago’s postseason aspirations.

Stellar Cubs Defense Aids Road Streak

In Tuesday’s 6-3 victory, Cubs’ defense shone brightly, with Pete Crow-Armstrong delivering an unforgettable performance in the outfield. His defensive heroics included a sliding catch to rob Enrique Hernández in the seventh inning and an even more dramatic catch in the eighth, snatching a home run away from Dodgers slugger Max Muncy to seal the win.

The defensive prowess provided crucial support to a Cubs offense that capitalized on three Dodgers errors in the eighth inning, turning those mistakes into five runs that ultimately decided the game. Crow-Armstrong, who delivered when the Cubs needed him most, later reflected on his impactful performance:

Dodgers Struggling with Injuries and Consistency

The Dodgers, despite leading the NL West with an 86-59 record, have shown vulnerability in this series. After a solid season, their lead over the second-place San Diego Padres has shrunk to just 4 ½ games, and the team’s inconsistent play has raised concerns. Manager Dave Roberts didn’t mince words after the loss, citing the uncharacteristic mistakes his team made in the eighth inning:

Bobby Miller, expected to be a key figure in the Dodgers’ rotation this season, has struggled with injuries and form. Miller went on the injured list in April due to shoulder inflammation, and his return has been rocky. His most recent outing—a seven-run, five-inning disaster against the Angels—underscored the difficulties he’s faced this year. On Wednesday, he’ll look for redemption against a Cubs lineup that has been hot throughout the series.

In Miller’s first career appearance against the Cubs back in April, he struggled early, allowing five runs in just 1 2/3 innings. The Dodgers need him to regain his form as they continue to navigate injuries to their pitching staff ahead of the playoffs. Despite these struggles, the Dodgers will lean on Miller’s electric arm to avoid the sweep.

Key Players to Watch

The Dodgers haven’t been without bright spots. In Tuesday’s loss, Tommy Edman hit his first two home runs since being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals. After missing most of the season with injuries, Edman is starting to find his stride in the Dodgers lineup, which could be crucial as the playoffs near.

Max Muncy, who hit a home run earlier in the game, nearly tied the contest with a second blast, only to be denied by Crow-Armstrong’s leaping catch in the game’s final out. The near miss highlighted the tight margin between the Dodgers’ comeback hopes and the Cubs’ impressive road streak.

Playoff Picture and Final Thoughts

With the regular season winding down, every game holds significant playoff implications. The Dodgers are fighting to maintain their NL West lead, while the Cubs are clawing for a wild-card spot. Both teams face mounting pressure, but it’s clear that momentum currently favors Chicago, who look to extend their road winning streak and make a serious push for the postseason.

Wicks will need to provide a solid outing and rely on continued defensive excellence from Crow-Armstrong and the rest of the Cubs to secure another road victory. Meanwhile, Miller will look to silence critics and give the Dodgers the win they need to maintain control in the NL West.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for either team, as both look to solidify their postseason futures.

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