by Rod Pearson
Monday, Aug 03, 2026
Game Time: 8:05 pm ET, Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Where to Watch: MLB TV, TBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -205, Cubs +168; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -200, Cubs +170; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -200, Cubs +170; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Dodgers: 69-43 (1st place, NL West)
Chicago Cubs: 63-49 (2nd place, NL Central)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-5 last 10
Chicago Cubs: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Preview and Analysis
The Dodgers are entering this series off a loss and got swept in their 3-game series against the Boston Red Sox 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 69-43 record overall and have a road record of 36-20. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Tuesday with the series opener still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .771 OPS. Justin Wrobleski is their starting pitcher on Monday while Tarik Skubal is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 3 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 6 SO on 4 hits through 6.2 IP against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Cubs are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the New York Yankees 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 63-49 record overall and have a home record of 31-24. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Tuesday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .749 OPS. Matthew Boyd is their starting pitcher on Monday while Javier Assad is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 6-1 with a 3.75 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 earned run, 0 homers, and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts on 6 hits through 4.1 innings pitched against the St Louis Cardinals.
Dodgers vs Cubs Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked great in their games this season with their 69-43 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL West with one of the best records in MLB. They have been a great road team too with their 36-20 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Cubs have looked really good in their games this season with their 63-49 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL Central. They have looked good in their own ballpark too with their 31-24 home record this season. The Cubs are 6-4 in their last 10 games and they have been getting hot lately with one of the best offenses in the league, but their pitching has been questionable all season. The Dodgers haven't looked great lately as they are 5-5 in their last 10 games and just got swept at home by the Red Sox in their last series, but they also have one of the best offenses in MLB and they are going to have the better pitching matchup too. The Dodgers are going with their shiny new toy in this one, starting Skubal, and he has been great for the Tigers this season. He is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA and he will be looking to pick up right where he left off for the Dodgers now. He did give up 3 earned runs in his last start, but that hasn't been a common theme for him and his team has won 2 of their last 3 games with him starting. He will be looking to continue pitching well here in his Dodgers debut and the Cubs have had some trouble with their bullpen this season too. The Cubs are going with Assad in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 6-1 with a 3.75 ERA and the team has been having a lot of success with him. He only gave up 1 earned run in his last start and the team has won 2 games in a row now with him starting, but now he faces the best offense in the league and the bullpens are going to be a factor in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game and on the runline.
Dodgers Cubs Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (8:05 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 5 Cubs 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers: 43-39 (-17.5 units) on the moneyline against NL Central opponents. 284-185 (-19.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 256-151 (-16 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 83-54 OVER as a favorite of -175 to -250.
Chicago Cubs: 50-40 (+5.9 units) on the moneyline against NL West opponents. 243-201 (+16.2 units) on the moneyline in all games. 130-92 (+9.3 units) on the moneyline in home games. 8-1 OVER as an underdog of +125 to +175.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Dodgers: D. Rushing (C) Day To Day - Arm. W. Klein (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. W. Smith (C) Sixty Day IL - Neck. B. Treinen (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Snell (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. B. Casparius (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. T. Glasnow (SP) Sixty Day IL - Back. J. Cousins (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Miller (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Chicago Cubs: G. Hollowell (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. P. Maton (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Knee. M. Shaw (RF) Ten Day IL - Hand. E. Roberts (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Forearm. H. Milner (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Appendicitis. B. Brown (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Neck. E. Cabrera (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Hamstring. D. Palencia (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. R. Martin (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. P. Hodge (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Horton (SP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. H. Harvey (RP) Sixty Day IL - Tricep. J. Steele (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. T. Austin (1B) Sixty Day IL - Knee. S. Miller (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
"Everyone knows what we think of him. I mean, the talent is there. The care, the preparedness, all that stuff is there. But it's just, when you're pitching in big league games, you've got to get guys out. I don't know where we go from here. We all pull for him, but you've got to perform." - Dave Roberts after his team’s loss against the Red Sox in their game on Sunday.
“It’s kind of [a] risk for the organization in terms of the future and now. Players don’t like talking about the future. Fans don’t like talking about the future. But [president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer] has a responsibility for the future. I think that’s one of the hardest parts about that job.” - Craig Counsell on the team trading for Kevin Gausman.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Andy Pages (R) CF
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Eliezer Alfonzo (S) C
Chicago Cubs
Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Michael Busch (L) 1B
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Ian Happ (S) LF
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Pedro Ramírez (S) DH
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Miguel Amaya (R) C
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Enrique Hernández (.385)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (128)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (24)
RBI: Andy Pages (74)
Stolen Bases: Andy Pages (10)
Wins: Justin Wrobleski (11)
Saves: Tanner Scott (16)
ERA: Shohei Ohtani (1.79)
Chicago Cubs
Batting Average: Justin Dean (.375)
Hits: Pete Crow-Armstrong (118)
Home Runs: Pete Crow-Armstrong (24)
RBI: Pete Crow-Armstrong (64)
Stolen Bases: Pete Crow-Armstrong (26)
Wins: Colin Rea (8)
Saves: Jacob Webb (5)
ERA: Ty Blach (0.00)
Managers:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (11th season)
Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
