The Chicago Cubs (9-7) and the LA Dodgers (11-4) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Saturday at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Cubs vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Dodgers lead 3-0
The Dodgers picked up a 3-0 win as -170 favorites in Friday’s series opener behind RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and 3 relievers. Yamamoto pitched 2-hit ball over 6 innings and struck out 9, while the bullpen didn’t allow a runner over the final 3 innings in helping the Under (8.5) easily cash. RP Tanner Scott worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save. 2B Tommy Edman supplied the offense with a 3-run shot in the bottom of the sixth — his sixth homer of the season. SS Mookie Betts had a single and walk in 3 at-bats to extend his hitting streak to 6 games.
It was a tough setback for Cubs LHP Matthew Boyd, who really made just the 1 mistake — to Edman. The southpaw was removed after the sixth, allowing the 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7.
After scoring 7 or more runs in 4 straight games — and in 7 of the past 8 — the Chicago offense has managed just 2 total runs in the past 2 games. Despite Friday’s Under result, the Over is still 5-1 in the past 6 games for the Cubbies.
Cubs at Dodgers projected starters
RHP Ben Brown vs. RHP Roki Sasaki
Brown (1-1, 7.71 ERA) makes his third start and fourth appearance of 2025. He has a 2.23 WHIP, 6.9 BB/9 and an 11.6 K/9 in 11 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 5 ER, 7 H (1 HR), 4 BB, 5 K in 8-7 home loss to San Diego Padres Sunday
- 2025 road splits: 1 start, win, 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H (1 HR), 2 BB, 5 K in 18-3 rout at A’s March 31
- Career vs. Dodgers: 1 relief appearance, loss, 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER (3 R), 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 4-1 setback in Japan March 18, 2025
Sasaki (0-0, 4.15 ERA) makes his fourth start. He has a 2.08 WHIP, 11.4 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 8 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 3-1 win at Philadelphia Phillies April 5
- 2025 home splits: 1 start, 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 7-3 home win vs. Detroit Tigers March 29
- Career vs. Cubs: 1 start, no-decision, 3 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 5 BB, 3 K in 6-3 win in Japan March 19, 2025
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Cubs at Dodgers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:49 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Dodgers -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-125) | Dodgers -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Cubs at Dodgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 5, Cubs 4
Moneyline
The Dodgers (-185) will set you back nearly 2 times the potential return, and that’s just a little too rich for my blood. My personal limit for a moneyline wager is -180.
If you’re able to use a profit boost or promo, this price isn’t that bad, and if you include Los Angeles as part of a multi-leg parlay, that isn’t out of line, either.
However, PASS on LA straight up.
Run line/Against the spread
CHICAGO +1.5 (-125) is a strong play catching the run and a half. The Cubs are 3-3 in their past 6 games as underdogs, with 3 outright victories.
On the flip side, Los Angeles is just 1-6 on the run line in the past 7 games as a favorite.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-124) at FanDuel Sportsbook is a lean, but only go with a half-unit play.
While the Under cashed in Friday’s series opener, the Over is 4-1 in the past 5 outings for the Dodgers.
The Cubs have cashed high in 5 of the past 6 games, while going 11-3-1 in the past 15 outings.
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