The Dodgers are on fire, undefeated at home this season and 7-0 in their last 7 games. Saturday night they’ll put that streak to the test as they host the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Both teams are playing well but the Dodgers’ home field advantage might be the difference.
Pitching Matchup: Who’s Got the Edge?
Ben Brown will start for the Cubs and Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers. Brown has been rough so far this season with a 7.71 ERA and 2.23 WHIP and 15 K’s. Sasaki is still figuring things out in MLB with a 4.15 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in his first few starts.
Neither pitcher has been great but the Dodgers’ offense might give Sasaki some room to breathe. The Cubs will need Brown to be good if they hope to cool off the hot Dodgers.
Dodgers: Home Sweet Home
The Dodgers are 7-0 at Dodger Stadium this season. Even when out-hit, they find ways to win (3-1 in those games). It’s a testament to their depth and toughness.
Shohei Ohtani is still shining, and Teoscar Hernandez has been on a tear over the last 10 games (.342, 4 HR). If they keep rolling, they’re tough to beat.
Cubs: Getting Hot
The Cubs are one of the hottest teams in baseball, 7-3 in their last 10 and outscoring opponents by 37 runs in that span. Dansby Swanson has been big (4 HR), and Seiya Suzuki has been consistent (.395 over the last 10).
Chicago’s offense loves walks and stolen bases, kind of like Craig Counsell’s old team in Milwaukee. But their bullpen has shown some cracks in high leverage situations, which could be a problem against the Dodgers’ lineup.
Injury Updates: Key Absences for Both Teams
Both teams are banged up. For the Dodgers, Blake Snell is out with a shoulder and Clayton Kershaw is still working his way back from toe surgery. The bullpen has taken a hit too with Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips on the IL.
The Cubs aren’t faring much better with Justin Steele (elbow) and Javier Assad (oblique) out. These absences could impact both teams going into Saturday.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Dodgers at Home: Can the Cubs snap the Dodgers’ 7 game home winning streak?
- Cubs’ Offense vs. Dodgers’ Pitching: Will the Cubs’ bats keep rolling against a Dodgers staff looking to prove themselves?
- Rising Stars: Keep an eye on Teoscar Hernandez and Seiya Suzuki who are hot right now.
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