Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, 4/21/2023 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs

Date: Friday, April 21, 2023

Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL

TV: Marquee

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles (-195) Chicago (+165)

The Los Angeles Dodgers (9-10) are hitting the road to Wrigley Field on Friday where they will take on the Chicago Cubs (11-6). The odds on this game have Los Angeles at -195 while Chicago is sitting at +165. The betting total comes in at 8.5. The pitchers who are expected to start are Julio Urias and Drew Smyly.

As a unit, the Los Angeles Dodgers are earning 5.2 runs per contest, which ranks them 6th in MLB. They have earned 99 runs and hold an OBP of .334. The Dodgers have earned 28 two-baggers as a squad and have hit 33 baseballs out of the stadium. They have accrued 98 RBI's in addition to 143 hits so far this season, while their batting average is at .232. Los Angeles has a slugging rate of .457 and have been called out on strikes 179 times, while drawing a walk on 92 occasions.

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The Dodgers have an earned run average of 4.20 for the season (16th in baseball), and their staff has struck out 157 hitters. Dodgers pitchers have relinquished 20 long balls in addition to 80 total runs (11th in the league). They have walked 43 players from the other team and their FIP sits at 3.92 as a team over the course of the season. Los Angeles has surrendered 166 hits (8.9 per 9 innings) and 78 earned runs. Their strikeout to walk ratio sits at 3.65 and the pitching staff has a team WHIP of 1.25.

Dodgers relief pitchers have entered the contest with runners on 21 times in addition to having 10 appearances in high leverage situations. The relief pitchers have 3 holds this season (29th in baseball). The Dodgers relievers have compiled a save rate of 60.0% and has come into the game in 8 save situations. They have recorded 3 saves on the season and have missed out on 2 out of their 5 save chances. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 36 base runners so far this year and 25.0% of them ended up scoring. The Dodgers have sent 60 relievers to the hill for the year.

The Dodgers have turned 68.1% of balls in play into outs in their 1,503 innings, which has them sitting at 21st in the majors. The Los Angeles Dodgers have notched a total of 501 putouts on the campaign, as well as 167 assists and 7 errors. Their fielding rate is holding steady at .990 which ranks 8th in professional baseball, and they have turned 16 double plays.

Urias (52-18 career win-loss record) has a FIP of 3.43 and he has faced 2,527 hitters during his time in the major leagues. He has given up 508 base hits (7.3 hits per nine innings) with 172 free passes. His ERA is 2.79 (193 ER's allowed) and his WHIP is 1.091. Urias has thrown 623 innings and has earned 619 strikeouts in his career.

Chicago has a total of 21 HRs this season and 93 RBIs. They have recorded 29 two-baggers, while getting a free base 58 times as well as earning 99 runs. The Chicago Cubs have compiled an OBP of .351 as well as a team batting average of .286 this year. The Cubs have a slugging percentage of .443 and they are earning 5.82 runs per game (3rd in the league). They have struck out on 142 occasions (27th in MLB) and have earned 172 base knocks.

The Cubs are sitting with a team WHIP of 1.156 and have a FIP of 3.40 as a pitching staff for the season. They currently have a strikeout to walk ratio of 9.70 (165 strikeouts vs 56 walks). They sit at 3rd in MLB as a staff in total hits allowed with 120. They have allowed 12 HR's and they surrender 3.55 runs per 9 innings (6th in baseball). The Chicago pitching staff have allowed 60 runs this season while having an ERA of 3.25 (55 earned runs relinquished).

With 15 save situations, the Cubs have earned 10 holds and 3 blown saves. Chicago has had bullpen pitchers take the mound in 5 save chances and they have recorded 2 saves. Their relief pitchers have come in 12 times in high leverage situations and on 7 occasions with runners on base. Chicago relievers hold an inherited score percentage of 25.0% out of 12 inherited base runners. They rank 28th in baseball with a save percentage of 40.0%, and they have sent 51 relievers to the hill for the year.

The Chicago Cubs have turned 11 double plays and have earned a fielding percentage of .986 (18th in MLB). The Cubs have racked up 158 assists, 9 errors and have a tally of 458 putouts this year. Out of their 1,374 innings on the diamond, the Cubs have a defensive efficiency of 70.9% (8th in baseball).

Smyly (54-48 career mark) has earned a 4.11 earned run average while conceding 8.6 hits per 9 innings. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 3.15 and he has gone up against 4,034 batters in his MLB career. He has surrendered a total of 438 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.267 and a FIP of 4.3. Thus far in his career, Smyly has allowed 918 base hits and he has 935 strikeouts in 959 innings pitched.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-195)

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