In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Dodgers prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, March 18th at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup on the MLB World Tour.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs went 83-79 last season and they finished second in the NL Central standings. The Cubs tried to hang around in the NL Wild Card race, but they ended up finishing six games back. Chicago did finish the 2024 season with a little momentum, as they won six of their last ten games. As far as Spring Training is concerned, Chicago is 11-5 in the Cactus League and they have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games.
Last season, the Chicago pitching staff had a 3.78 ERA (10th) with a 1.25 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average. The Chicago offense scored 736 runs (12th) with a .242 batting average and a .317 on base percentage last season. Ian Happ led Chicago with 25 home runs, 86 RBI’s and a .243 batting average. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago in this matchup is Shota Imanaga, who went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over 173.1 innings pitched last year.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers were 98-64 last year and they finished first in the NL West by five games over the Padres. Los Angeles won the World Series in five games over the Yankees, which was their first World Series since 2020. The Dodgers beat the Padres 3-2 in the NLDS and the Mets 4-2 in the NLCS prior to that World Series. Los Angeles is the favorite to win the World Series once again this year and they are absolutely loaded with talent. The Dodgers are 12-8 in Spring Training so far in the Cactus League and they have won 10 of their last 12 games.
Last year, the Los Angeles pitching staff had a 3.90 ERA (13th) with a 1.23 WHIP and a .235 opponent batting average. The Dodgers offense scored 842 runs (2nd) with a .258 batting average and a .335 on base percentage last season. Shohei Ohtani led Los Angeles with 54 home runs, 130 RBI’s, and a .310 batting average in 2024. The projected starting pitcher for LA in this game is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 90.0 innings pitched last year.
Last Season
These two teams played six times in the 2024 regular season, with Chicago winning four them by scores of 9-7, 8-1, 10-4, and 6-3. Los Angeles won their two games by scores of 4-1 and 10-8.
Expected Starters
The expected starting lineup for Los Angeles is Ohtani (DH), Betts (SS), Freeman (1B), Hernandez (RF), Muncy (3B), Smith (C), Conforto (LF), Edman (2B), and Pages (CF), with Yamamoto on the mount. The expected starting lineup for Chicago is Happ (LF), Tucker (RF), Suzuki (DH), Busch (1B), Swanson (SS), Crow-Armstrong (CF), Berti (2B), Shaw (3B), and Amaya (C), while Imanaga will be on the mound.
Why the Dodgers will beat the Cubs
- The Dodgers have won 12 of their last 14 season openers.
- The Cubs have lost six of their last seven night games after going to extra innings.
- The Dodgers have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven night games against National League opponents.
- The Dodgers have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven night games against National League opponents.
- The Dodgers have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven night games against National League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Twelve of the Dodgers’ last 13 night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Nine of the Cubs’ last 10 night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Cubs’ last nine night games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Dodgers’ last 12 night games against National League opponents.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one Double in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
- Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in each of his last six appearances.
- Dansby Swanson has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances with the Cubs as underdogs.
- Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one Single in each of his last five appearances with his team as an underdog.
- Shota Imanaga has recorded five or more strikeouts in 13 of his last 17 appearances in night games.
- Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances in night games.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one total base in each of the Cubs’ last eight night games.
- Justin Turner has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances.
- Shota Imanaga ranked 5th amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (2.91) last season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Player Prop Facts
- Tommy Edman has recorded at least one Double in four of the Dodgers’ last five games as favorites.
- Freddie Freeman has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Dodgers’ last five games.
- Miguel Rojas has recorded at least one Single in each of the Dodgers’ last eight games against NL Central opponents.
- Tommy Edman has scored at least one run in each of the Dodgers’ last six games.
- Miguel Rojas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Miguel Rojas has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 14 appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Shohei Ohtani ranked 2nd in the league in Home Runs (54) last season.
Cubs vs Dodgers Prediction
Los Angeles looks to defend their World Series title by starting the 2025 season with a win and they are the favorite to get the job done here. The Dodgers have one of the best lineups in the MLB and they also have one of the best pitching staffs, so they should find plenty of success this season. Chicago did make some improvements to their lineup from last season, but their biggest chance to steal this game is with Imanaga on the mound, who was dominant for most of the 2024 season. I do think we could see both teams score some runs here, but I can’t go against the Dodgers. Take LA -1.5 here.