Jake Arrieta’s name was already in the hat for the NL Cy Young and he gets a chance to solidify his candidacy on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball when the Cubs take on the Dodgers.
Chicago has won his last six starts and is 10-1 in his last 11.
ODDS ANALYSIS
After the Dodgers were swept by the Astros last weekend, Clayton Kershaw challenged his teammates, saying the team needed to play with a sense of urgency. They responded with a sweep in Cincinnati, salvaging what could have been a disastrous road trip. The Dodgers felt better about themselves after the victories and padded their lead in the NL West in the process. LA faces a tough stretch with the Giants coming in after Cubs, but at least those games are in Dodger Stadium, where LA enters the weekend 22 games over .500. The Cubs lost the final two games of their series in San Francisco, dropping the finale 9-1 on Thursday. Still, Chicago will hate to see August end. The Cubs enter the weekend with a record of 18-6, winning at least 14 games in four straight months for the first time since 2008, which was the last year they made the playoffs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
A legitimate candidate for the NL Cy Young, Chicago’s Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.22 ERA) goes for his 14th consecutive quality start, which would tie him with Greg Maddux for the longest stretch by a Cubs pitcher. Arrieta won his MLB-best 16th game Tuesday, allowing an unearned run and four hits over six innings against the Giants. He’s completed at least six innings with a 0.54 ERA in five August starts.
Arrieta is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers but hasn’t faced them since the 2013 season.
Left-hander Alex Wood (9-8, 3.70 ERA) had his finest outing since joining the Dodgers, picking up his second win with LA on Tuesday. He limited the Reds to four hits and one run over 5.2 innings while fanning four. Wood was yanked in the sixth after 88 pitches and wasn’t happy with the quick hook. He’s 2-2 with a 4.34 ERA in five starts as a member of the Dodgers.
Wood faced the Cubs four times as a member of the Braves making one start. He was matched against Arrieta on July 11, 2013, going 5.1 innings taking a no-decision in a Chicago victory.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It was more of a mental thing. I had too much to think about. If things didn’t go well or I was unlucky, I’d pout, I guess you’d say. Now I move on. If I give up a hit, I give up a hit and move on to the next one.” – Dodgers reliever Chris Hatcher on his early season struggles
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Joe Maddon reunion tour continued when the Cubs signed former Mariners closer Fernando Rodney, who was designated for assignment by Seattle last Sunday. Rodney, an All-Star last year when he saved a Mariners record 48 games, was 5-5 and had gone 16 for 22 in save chances this season. The 38-year-old righty had a 5.68 ERA in 54 games. Maddon saw Rodney at his best with the 2012 Tampa Bay Rays, watching him save 48 games with a 0.60 ERA in 76 appearances. “I know he struggled a bit this year. But I’m eager to see it in person to find out what’s going on,” Maddon said. The Cubs signed another former Maddon closer in Rafael Soriano earlier this year, but he’s currently on the disabled list, as is Jason Motte, leaving the Cubs thin in the pen. Rodney is expected to be in the bullpen for the Dodgers series.
PROP TALK
Arrieta hasn’t allowed more than six hits in any of his last nine starts while completing at least six innings in all of them. He’s surrendered just 128 hits over 174 innings this season, or 6.6 per nine innings. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will likely be without their hottest hitter after Yasiel Puig strained his hamstring Thursday at Cincinnati. Adrian Gonzalez is limping on a swollen ankle after taking a foul ball and Yasmani Grandal has a bum shoulder. In other words, the Dodgers are hurting against Chicago’s Cy Young hopeful. Consider taking the under on LA’s hit total.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Pitching has been a big reason why the Cubs are battling for their first playoff appearance since 2008, especially starting pitching. And in particular the hurling of Arrieta, who is without a doubt the ace of the staff – sorry Jon Lester. Arrieta became the first to win 16 games this season and has been as good as any starter in the majors. Four of his five starts this month have been scoreless outings and he’s been dominant. The Dodgers have battled for offense and instead of playing behind a Cy Young candidate, they face one for a change. And don’t do very well.
Chicago 5, Los Angeles 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 8:05 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The matchup can be seen live on ESPN.
