The MLB betting week wraps in Tinseltown where the Los Angeles Dodgers will close out an extended four-game series against the Chicago Cubs at online sportsbooks. Both squads entered this series in second place of their respective divisions. LA will be out for a heavy dose of revenge after going into Wrigley and getting the brooms busted out on them back in early May. The over cashed in all three matchups with the Cubs averaging 5.7 runs per game while the Dodgers scored a grand total of nine runs against Chicago’s mediocre starting staff and stellar bullpen. Clayton Kershaw gets the starting nod in the finale with the left-hander looking to snap out of a funk that’s seen him take the loss in four of his last five starts. The Cubs will counter with young up and coming right-hander Adbert Alzolay who took the loss in his most recent start coming off the DL against the Cleveland Indians. Look for the home team to be installed a heavy favorite with the total lined between 8-9 runs.
First pitch for this non-divisional NL showdown between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Sunday, June 27, 2021, at 7 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium. This week’s Sunday Night Baseball telecast will air live on ESPN. Bet on MLB odds and player props at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
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Odds Analysis
The regression monster was bound to take a bit out of Chicago as well it ran through the middle of June. With an offense ranked No. 28 in batting average and the rotation ranked No. 20 in the quality start department, it was only a matter of time. Since sweeping the Cardinals at home from June 11-13, the Cubs have managed just three wins in their last nine games to find themselves a half-game back of the Milwaukee Brewers for division bragging rights. Once over $1.1K in profit for the season, David Ross’s troops are down to $657 and sinking. Los Angeles entered this series off a humbling sweep at the hands of San Diego. The NL West became even more of a jumbled mess because of it. San Francisco currently sits 4-games ahead of the Dodgers and 4.5-games in front of the Padres. Though it sits 14 games over the breakeven point overall, LA has cost MLB bettors upwards of $630 overall. That said, it’s won 23 of 35 played games in front of the Chavez Ravine faithful.
Probable Pitchers
Adbert Alzolay: The righty returned to the starting rotation off a 10+ day hiatus because of a blister on his throwing hand. The results of the start against the Tribe were mixed. Though he went on to tally 5 K and issued just one free pass, the home run ball continued to be an issue. He served up two more which brings his season tally to 12 through 62.1 total innings of work. That equates to 1.7 home runs allowed per nine innings, and that’s simply just not going to get the job done. The Dodgers rank No. 6 against right-handed pitching (.250 AVG) and own a near 26 percent K rate against them (No. 9). When you take the strikeout out of Alzolay’s equation, the youngster struggles. Look for him to do so once again against an offense that’s gotten much healthier this week with the returns of both Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger.
Clayton Kershaw: The veteran was an arm I chose to stay far away from for fantasy as his stat lines have progressively gotten worse through the years. San Diego jumped on him early in the first inning of his last start when Jake Cronenworth launched a two-run shot. Though he’d go on to log the quality start the rest of the way, it still amounted to his seventh loss of the season. The south paw is the owner of a 3.43 ERA and even better 2.96 FIP, but he’s accumulated those outputs against some very questionable opposition. Chicago already roughed him up for 4 ER in his shortest stint of the season (1 IP) back on May 4. The Cubs have excelled versus lefties in going 13-6 and averaging 5.8 runs per game $710. That said, he opposed Anthony Rizzo and company when the team was on fire. That’s not the case right now.
Cubs vs. Dodgers Prediction
Kershaw’s limited all opposition to a .212 batting average against in his eight made home starts. Putting Chicago’s offense under the microscope finds that it ranks No. 15 in average and OPS against LHP. It also owns a near 29 percent K rate against them (No. 21). With that, I fully expect Kershaw to rebound here so I’ll be targeting his K prop and will fire if in the 6-7 range. I don’t have high hopes for Alzolay in his second start back from the IL. He gives up way too many home runs. The Dodgers have launched the 13th most in the league and its roster is now back to being almost fully healthy. With this being the fourth and final game of the extended series, check to see how Ross was forced to handle his bullpen arms in the three games prior. If the better ones aren’t likely to be available or been heavily taxed (Tepera/Chafin), I’ll confidently hit the Dodgers run-line and target their team total for an over play as well. If searching for more investment value on the Dodgers, hit Kershaw on the pitcher to record a win prop instead of betting the moneyline. It should offer up a juicy plus-money return! I don’t foresee this series ending well for my beloved Cubbies.
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