Thursday, June 25, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Carlos Frias (4-5) vs. Jon Lester (4-5)

The Chicago Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Thursday. The Dodgers send Carlos Frias to the mound to face Jon Lester of the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at +125 and Chicago at -135. The Dodgers, with a 30-42 run line record, cover the spread 49% of the time. They also have a 36-33 over/under record. The Cubs are 31-38 against the run line and have a 28-35 over/under record. They cover the spread 45% of the time.

The Dodgers head into this matchup with a 39-33 record, including 12-20 on the road. Starting pitcher Carlos Frias holds a 4-5 record with an earned run average of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.47. In his starts, the Dodgers are 4-6 over his 59.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 70 hits during those innings. The Dodgers are also 4-4 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates are averaging 4.1 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.12 and they've given up 167 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .220 against the bullpen while being struck out 225 times and walking 67 times this season. As a team, Los Angeles has allowed 8.28 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.56 batters per nine. They are 15th in the league in team earned run average at 3.87.

Los Angeles ranks 23rd in the league in team batting average at .243 while hitting .237 on the road. Ranked at 23rd in the league in on-base percentage, the Dodgers sit at .304 and they hold a .384 team slugging percentage. They rank 27th in baseball with 8.03 hits per game and Adrian Gonzalez leads the team with 77.

With a 20-13 home record, Chicago will hope to improve on their 39-30 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.80, Jon Lester will come into this game holding a 4-5 record and a 1.34 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 8-6 and he has allowed 91 hits over 85.1 innings pitched this season. The Cubs are also 5-8 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates score an average of 3.1 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.09 and they have given up 183 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .227 against the Cubs bullpen while being struck out 197 times and walking 84 times this season. As a team, Chicago has allowed 8.14 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.57 batters per nine. They are 5th in the league in team earned run average at 3.44.

They rank 22nd in the league in team batting average with a .244 average while hitting .234 at home. Ranked at 14th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .319 and they hold a .392 team slugging percentage. They rank 19th in baseball with 8.38 hits per game and Anthony Rizzo leads the team with 78.

The Dodgers have committed 29 errors and have combined for 753 assists and 1,912 put outs leading to a .989 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .980 team fielding percentage while committing 53 errors, accumulating 709 assists and compiling 1,877 put outs.

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 36-33 against the over/under so far this season

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 30-42 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 28-35 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 31-38 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

06/18/15 P Chris Hatcher Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/15)
06/02/15 P Paco Rodriguez Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/30)
05/15/15 P Pedro Baez Pectoral Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/14)
04/28/15 P Brandon McCarthy Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/26), out for season
04/28/15 LF Carl Crawford Oblique Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/27)
04/26/15 P Brandon League Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/04/15 P Brandon Beachy Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/23)

Chicago Cubs

06/24/15 CF Dexter Fowler Ankle is not expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
06/23/15 P Tsuyoshi Wada Shoulder "?" for next scheduled start Saturday vs. St Louis Cardinals
06/03/15 RF Jorge Soler Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/2)
04/17/15 3B Mike Olt Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/15)
04/17/15 P Neil Ramirez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/16)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Cubs

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