In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Dodgers prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, March 19th at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup in the MLB World Tour.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 0-1 this year after they lost to Los Angeles by a score of 4-1 on Tuesday morning. Chicago looked pretty good early in the game, as they took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double from Amaya. The Cubs struggled to get much going after that point, as they failed to score any more runs in the loss. During the last seven innings of the game, the only batter to reach base was Berti, who was hit by a pitch. Chicago started Imanaga on the mound, who allowed no hits through four innings of work. Ben Brown came on in relief, but he allowed four hits and two earned runs in just 2.2 innings. Overall, Chicago came up with just three hits and committed two errors in the loss.
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 is Justin Steele, who went 5-5 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 134.2 innings pitched last year.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to open the 2025 season with a win over the Cubs by a score of 4-1 on Tuesday. Los Angeles wasn’t able to find any runs in the first four innings, despite drawing four walks, but they broke through in the fifth inning with three runs. The Dodgers got an RBI single from Edman, scored on a ground ball that turned into an error, and an RBI single from Smith in that inning. LA was able to add an insurance run in the ninth, when T. Hernandez singled in Ohtani from third base. The Dodgers got five strong innings from Yamamoto, as he allowed three hits and one earned run, while getting one shutout inning from Banda, Casparius, Treinen, and Scott. Overall, the Dodgers scored four runs on seven hits in the win.
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 is Roki Sasaki, who will be making his MLB debut.
Why the Cubs will beat the Dodgers
- The Dodgers have lost six of their last eight games as favorites against the Cubs following a win.
- The Cubs have won four of their last six games as underdogs against the Dodgers following a loss.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in 12 of their last 16 games as underdogs against NL West opponents following a loss.
- The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line in six of their last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- The Dodgers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games.
Why the Dodgers will beat the Cubs
- The Cubs have lost each of their last seven night games against NL West opponents following a loss.
- The Dodgers have won seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
- The Dodgers have covered the run line in eight of their last nine night games against National League opponents.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
- The Cubs have lost the first inning in three of their last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Dodgers have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
- The Dodgers have led after 3 innings in six of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Nine of the Dodgers’ last 10 night games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Cubs’ last four games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last four games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Dodgers’ last three games as favorites.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Seiya Suzuki has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances in night games against NL teams that held a winning record.
- Dansby Swanson has scored at least one run in each of his last seven appearances with the Cubs as underdogs.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one Single in each of the Cubs’ last five games against NL West opponents.
- Justin Steele has recorded five or more strikeouts in nine of his last 10 appearances against NL West opponents.
- Justin Turner has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in night games.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one total base in each of his last eight appearances in night games.
- Jon Berti ranks 1st in the league in Steals (1) this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Player Prop Facts
- Max Muncy has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last six appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Andy Pages has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
- Miguel Rojas has recorded at least one Single in each of the Dodgers’ last nine games against NL Central opponents.
- Miguel Rojas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 15 appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Miguel Rojas has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 15 appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Mookie Betts has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances against NL opponents.
- Shohei Ohtani ranks 1st in the league in Hits (2) this season.
Cubs vs Dodgers Prediction
Chicago comes into this matchup trying to leave Japan with a split, but it won’t be easy against this Los Angeles lineup. The Cubs really struggled to hit the ball in Tuesday’s game and didn’t record a single hit in the last seven innings of the loss. Los Angeles was able to draw some walks early on Tuesday and finally broke through in the fifth, which was more than enough to cruise to the win. Justin Steele had a great 2024 season and I am excited to watch him this year, while Sasaki is a bit of an unknown, but has plenty of talent. I think we are going to see another pitching duel here and I like the under in this spot.